cardiologist

[kronic323]

so im goin to the cardioligist tommorow and i was thinking im getting a stress test to check up my heart and i wanna make sure he doesnt mention anything about me tokin anybody know if he could tell that i toke or not? cuz thtd create an uncomfortable situation when he told the rents that i realize it sounds like immature paranoia but i think its a valid question

[cameron123240]

well, i know that marijuana slightly elevates the heart rate...but...im not sure if he could tell; of course, hes the damn doctor. but if u think about it the only real way he could tell, is if he gave u a drug test for sum weird ass reason.


good luck and such!:)

[birdgirl73]

Unless you're a very heavy smoker and he hears wheezing when he listens to you breathe and then requests a chest x-ray, a cardiologist usually won't be able to tell you toke unless you specifically take a drug screen test, and he won't routinely do a drug screen. You ought to go ahead and tell him you toke and tell him about anything else you take drug-wise just so he has a complete picture of all the substances you have in your system, though. He may well ask you as part of the history he takes whether you do any sort of street drugs.

The reason I say you ought to tell him honestly about being a weed smoker is that he's going to be looking at your heart rhythm, valve function, blood pressure, and for any signs of arteriosclerosis, all of which can be affected by smoking anything, whether cigarettes or weed. I don't know whether you live in the U.S. or not, but if you do, typically once you're over 14 what you tell a doctor is confidential and he can't share it with your parents without your permission. Admittedly, they don't all stick to that.

I just asked my husband, who's a cardiologist, whether he routinely asks young people about drug use when he does their initial history and physical and he said he does. If you smoke cigarettes, you need to tell him the truth about that, too. If you do smoke cigarettes, prepare to hear a lecture about that. Good luck!

[wordddddd]

Wow...I came in here with the idea that I would be able to respond quite knowledgably to this thread but birdgirl73 got EVERYTHING. She's exactly right.

Smoking anything does effect the heart and he will look more closely for any kinds of anything, including the things birdgirl73 mentioned. I would definitly tell him but make sure he'll keep it confidential first. Most will, but there are a few that might tell. Know your doctor. It is a big factor though so I advise telling him.

Props to birdgirl73 for being smart!! :)

[birdgirl73]

I'm not sure it's being smart as much as it is having been married for 22 years to someone who works on hearts for a living!

That was a very good suggestion to Kronic to insist that the doc keep his weed use confidential before before he even tells him about it, Worddddd. Do you work on hearts, too? Or are you some other type of medical professional?

[wordddddd]

Nah, I'm actually only 18. I am an EMT (the guy who rides on the ambulances) and get plenty of heart attack calls and I am just interested in medicine in general.

[birdgirl73]

Cool. What do you know? I'm an EMT-P (a girl who formerly rode on ambulances). So I remember about the heart attack calls. Isn't it interesting how people are always being brought back to life on TV dramas involving paramedics and emergency rooms, but in reality they don't have nearly as high a survival rate? I haven't worked for the fire dept in 18 years. But I've kept my medic certification current just for fun and have volunteered a good bit over the years.

I'm starting actual medical school in about three weeks. So I'm going to get some cool new certifications eventually. I think I may be interested in emergency medicine as a speciality, in fact. It'll be neat to go in already having a good bit of practical knowledge about first aid and medicine. I can easily surpass my husband now when it comes to stopping bleeding or dressing wounds.

Keep up the good work, and keep spreading the word for people to move to the right for sirens and lights!

[Mingles]

Not to hijack this thread completely but Birdgirl, you seem like a terrific woman. By my calculations you must be admittedly at least 36-37 years old, (no, don't give your real age) appear to be intelligent and well spoken, are going to med school, and you smoke the ganja to boot. You are one to be admired. Hell I'm thirty two and recently started taking some night classes. I have no where near the energy or dedication to take on med school at even my age.

Back to the actual thread, (sorry Wordddddd) although I have yet to tell my doctor of my illicit usage, when dealing with the heart, I would also highly recommending full disclosure to yours. In reality, what's the worst the doctor can do? Lecture you? Call the police? If there is a doctor or lawyer out there they can tell me otherwise, but I believe it goes against their hippocratic oath and may be illegal (doctor patient confidentiality and all).

It's your life you're dealing with after all.

[birdgirl73]

Hey, Mingles. I'm actually 44, and thanks for the kind words. I don't mind giving my age. And I'm not at all convinced I have the energy or motivation to take on med school at this age, but I'm still going to try!

I came online here originally to make a connection to help my sister, who's a cancer patient. I did smoke several times with her, but I'm afraid I'm not going to be a continuing ganja smoker now that she's no longer feeling like smoking. It de-motivates me and also seems to give me bad headaches as well as aggravate my asthma. There's the added turnoff of having to work hard at finding sources and then playing the whole shady, illicit game to buy the stuff. It shouldn't be so hard to obtain for folks who need it.

Anyway, this may make me slightly less cool, but even if I don't partake any more, I'll continue to be an advocate for others who need and want weed in their lives.