Is an EKG Necessary for Pre-op Rhinoplasty in a 45 Year Old with No Heart Issues?

Hi! I am a healthy 45 year old woman who is currently seeking primary rhinoplasty. I am finding that pre-op testing varies greatly from doctor to doctor. I understand having blood work done but is an EKG necessary for a patient with no heart problems? Thank you.

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12 Doctor Answers | Asked by shabby in Saint James, NY

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EKG prior to rhinoplasty for 45 year old patient

45 years old is usually the threshold age for which most surgery centers and hospitals will require an EKG prior to any type of elective surgery. They are simple, easy to perform, and takes about 10 minutes in a doctor’s office to have one done. This is done out of patient safety.

The need for an EKG in a healthy 45 year old undergoing a rhinoplasty

Being healthy including having no known heart problems is always a good thing when contemplating surgery. However, you usually can't fight the established policy of a health care facility as regards lab work and an EKG. Different institutions have different regulations. Some don't require an EKG until age 50 unless there are known significant underlying medical problems; others use 40 or 45 as the cut-off. Find out from your surgeon what the policy is at the facility where you will... more

Emphasis on Patient Safety

Most recently all healthcare providers have been asked to look into ways to insure patient safety - and getting EKGs may be some doctors' resonse to safety concerns. You will be asked repeatedly about your allergies, your medications, and even if you feel adequately informed about the rhinolpasty you have chosen to undergo in any healthcare setting. Office-based surgical suites sometimes don't have the backup support of ancillary staff & equipment that hospital... more

Necessary tests before rhinoplasty

There will be variation in tests before surgery depending on where your procedure is performed. In our area we ask for an EKG at age 50 and above. Also blood tests are not required at all unless there is a specific healh issue or concern. Best of luck, peterejohnsonmd.com

Rhinoplasty Preop Lab Work

I have not ordered routine EKGs for your age group, but there is no specific preop set of labs. If you like your doctor and are happy with his photos of his work that he has shared with you, then best you just follow his routines. If you don't trust his judgement in ordering preoperative tests, how can you trust his surgical judgementt?

If you're over 40, you should get an EKG before Rhinoplasty Surgery.

EKG testing is routine and non-invasive for patients requesting nose job surgery that are over 40. In my practice, blood work is not indicated in otherwise healthy 40-year-olds, unless the "bleeding questionnaire" raises concerns. Good luck. Dr. Joseph

Eric M. Joseph, MD

198 reviews

West Orange Facial Plastic Surgeon

www.ericmjoseph.com

EKG for Rhinoplasty

Dr. Alessi and the surgery center that we use requires and EKG for patients 40 years old and older.

David Alessi, MD

6 reviews

Beverly Hills Facial Plastic Surgeon

www.facialinstitute.com

Usually not necessary below 50-55

This is a good question! As others have said, the institutional policy usually dictates what is required. According to more recent studies of preoperative studies (like labs, EKG, X-Rays, etc), there is usually very little to gain from doing an EKG in a healthy individual with no cardiac history. On the other hand, if a patient is diabetic, has a history of heart disease (including immediate family members), any history of chest pain or early exertion or similar warning... more

EKG necessity based on Institution's policy

There is no baseline to when an EKG is mandatory. In general, an EKG is necessary if... 1. Age >50 2. Diabetes 3. An hx of cardiac disease 4. Strong family hx of cardiac disease If none of the above are true, I generally do not order a pre-op EKG. I also ask if the patient can walk a city block without chest pain or shortness of breath. If that can be done, it tells me that the patient is pretty healthy from a cardiac standpoint. more

EKG preop rhinoplasty surgery

It depends on the policy of the institution or private clinic you are having surgery. In the past EKG and blood work was ordered routinely before elective surgery. Recently there has been a move towards ordering lab work when it is clinically indicated.

Rhinoplasty and Preop Requirements?

As you have found, every practice is different in their preoperative and postoperative “protocols”. In my practice, an EKG for healthy 45-year-old patient would not be mandatory. I would suggest that you discuss this concern with your plastic surgeon; he/she may very well feel comfortable with excluding it from your work up. If not, assuming you have done your due diligence in plastic surgeon selection, I would suggest having the EKG done and... more

Is an EKG Necessary for Pre-op Rhinoplasty in a 45 Year Old with No Heart Issues?

You are absolutely right. There is no consensus on what should or should not be "included" in a preoperative screening panel. You can thank John Edwards and his buddies in the Personal Injury Industry whose ads cover the back and centers of all Yellow Page books, our roads and highways and intrude on our TV watching with garrish ads for "bad drug" and "bad doctor" solicitation. Doctors have practiced defensive medicine for years. Unfortunately, the American... more