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Heart issues - do you experience this?

Binkie4

Senior Member
Messages
644
I do have heart issues but not with that diagnosis.
I have mitral valve prolapse with severe regurgitation. I do have a fast pulse but it's slowed by bisoprolol. Another echo ( stress this time) on Thursday followed by surgery.
 

2Cor.12:9

Senior Member
Messages
153
I'll be seeing the new cardiologist next week - my echo shows mild pulmonary hypertension (which is scary) and a also problem with the left side of my heart.

@Binkie4 - I noticed on another thread re: antivirals you are on them too. I had to quit after 4 months as the side effects were causing heart palpitations and other chest discomfort.
 

Binkie4

Senior Member
Messages
644
@2Cor.12:9
Hi. Am sorry that you didn't manage antivirals. I had a tricky time about 4-6 weeks in and had to reduce dose for a few days but am now almost 9 months in. They may be helping but it's hard to be sure because of the mitral regurgitation symptoms. Sorry your diagnosis is scary ( I know nothing about pulmonary hypertension). I could not complete the stress echo last week so another try later this week. Good luck with your diagnosis.
 

Stretched

Senior Member
Messages
705
Location
U.S. Atlanta
I'll be seeing the new cardiologist next week - my echo shows mild pulmonary hypertension (which is scary) and a also problem with the left side of my heart.

@Binkie4 - I noticed on another thread re: antivirals you are on them too. I had to quit after 4 months as the side effects were causing heart palpitations and other chest discomfort.

I take Famvir (and about 5 rxs for CAD, 2 stents). When I get palpitations, missed beats, etc I find Potassium Citrate and/or Magnesium Theonate seems to
calm things down.
 

TenuousGrip

Senior Member
Messages
297
I'll be seeing the new cardiologist next week - my echo shows mild pulmonary hypertension (which is scary) and a also problem with the left side of my heart.

I'm sorry. I got roughly the same diagnoses in mid-November after Invasive Cardiopulmonary Exercise Testing.

Please update us all after your cardiologist appointment. I'm definitely interested in what they tell you. I'm sure others would be too.

Wishing you all the best.....
 

2Cor.12:9

Senior Member
Messages
153
I'm sorry. I got roughly the same diagnoses in mid-November after Invasive Cardiopulmonary Exercise Testing.
..

@TenousGrip Thank you. Have they been able to determine the cause for you? A treatment plan?
There are so many things that can cause this - I have no idea yet what it will be for me. I'm trying to stay away from Dr. Google - already scared myself sufficiently enough - a little knowledge can be dangerous. :)
 

TenuousGrip

Senior Member
Messages
297
Have they been able to determine the cause for you? A treatment plan?

Not yet. Working on it.

Mine's a rather long and convoluted story. In short, three cardiologists and two electrophysiologists said my issue was 'just atrial fibrillation.' But my interpretation of all the data (labs, event monitors, multiple different kinds of echo's, and a cardiac MRI) said heart failure.

That's how I found my way to Boston for the iCPET test. And Boston's where they told me that mine is heart failure (HFpEF) and PH (WHO Group II).

Now a heart failure specialist is reviewing the cardiac MRI from last year. If he can't glean anything from the images the next step is an endomyocardial biopsy. I'm pushing for that. It's considered the gold standard in cases like these.

There are so many things that can cause this - I have no idea yet what it will be for me. I'm trying to stay away from Dr. Google - already scared myself sufficiently enough - a little knowledge can be dangerous.

Amen :)

Have they suggested heart catheterization and/or invasive cardiopulmonary exercise testing for you ?

Theoretically, they're not supposed to formally diagnose pulmonary hypertension without the heart catheterization ... which ... incidentally ... isn't anywhere near as frightening as it sounds.

I would guess the upcoming cardiologist will talk about that with you.

It seems really key to get the most accurate diagnosis (ie, the underlying etiology) possible. One kind of pulmonary hypertension is very treatable. Likewise, some of the numerous causes of LHD (Left Heart Disease) are treatable. Getting to the right specialists seems really critical.

I hope this turns out to be what's been causing all of your symptoms and that whatever they find IS the treatable kind.
 

Gingergrrl

Senior Member
Messages
16,171
I am curious if anyone during their lifetime has been diagnosed by a doctor (ideally cardiologist) with:
Wolff-Parkinson-White Syndrome (WPW)
Or severe tachycardia

I was incorrectly given a diagnosis of WPW Syndrome by a former PCP in 2013 who was clueless on just about every issue. She sent me to a cardio who said that 100% I did not have WPW and since then I have seen 3-4 other cardios who all confirm I do not have WPW. I do have POTS, and have had many episodes of severe sinus tachycardia in the 160's and 170's, but they are controlled with Atenolol and additional help with Midodrine b/c I have very low BP.

WPW has a very distinct pattern on an EKG and apparently I had a portion of this pattern on a few EKG's (but none of it on others) but I never had the full pattern on any EKG. In my case, 3-4 cardios, including the one who put me in the hospital for a week in 2014 with 24/7 continuous EKG monitoring, said that I do not have WPW. So I would definitely see a cardio who is an electrophysiologist or an autonomic specialist and not rely on anything said by a PCP (GP) re: this issue.
 

2Cor.12:9

Senior Member
Messages
153
Have they suggested heart catheterization and/or invasive cardiopulmonary exercise testing for you ?

Theoretically, they're not supposed to formally diagnose pulmonary hypertension without the heart catheterization ... which ... incidentally ... isn't anywhere near as frightening as it sounds.

Thanks :) - I'll be holding a good thought for you too! Even CHF patients can live long and do well. I had a friend who lived with it for many decades - died in her late 90's of old age. :)

No, I haven't even seen the dr yet. I got the echo results and my chronic care nurse confirmed what I read - but told me to try and not to worry too much. Sleep apnea and being overweight might be factors for me. Plus being on NSAIDS for years. I know the heart cath is the gold standard - my new doc is supposed to be good and specializes in PH so I'll just have to see what she says.

Wishing you all the best.
 

TenuousGrip

Senior Member
Messages
297
Yeah ... if the sleep apnea is bad it can cause heart failure by itself which can, in turn, cause the PH.

I don't know whether or not your apnea is being treated but it might be a pretty good place to start.

As a f'rinstance, my SIL was Dx'd about 1.5yrs ago with pretty serious apnea. Once they got her on a CPAP and got everything dialed in she said the difference in her sleep quality and her daily energy level was profound.

How great would it be if a CPAP machine could get you all fixed up ?? :)