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Heart Disease (Expert Forum)
Recent heart attack, pituitary gland and loss of conciseness
This forum is for questions and support regarding heart issues such as: Angina, Angioplasty, Arrhythmia, Bypass Surgery, Cardiomyopathy, Coronary Artery Disease, Defibrillator, Heart Attack, Heart Disease, High Blood Pressure, Mitral Valve, Pacemaker, PAD, Stenosis, Stress Tests
Recent heart attack, pituitary gland and loss of conciseness
by mischa, Oct 14, 2005 12:00AM
My grandfather had a heart attack last year. I still have some concerns if Vioxx had anything to do with it as he was taking it at the time of his heart attack. When the paramedics came to take him to the hospital they also mentioned his symptoms were unusual for a heart attack. He ended up having an angioplasty that day and triple-by-pass surgery the next day. He seemed to be doing well and taking his meds regulary. When he came back up from Florida his dr felt he was doing well and took him off one of his meds. Now the dr has some concern over his pituitary gland and he needs to have an mri done. When he went in to have his blood work done before his mri last week he passed out in the drs office. This is something that he has never done before. When he awoke he had to go to the hospital to have a cardiogram and more bloodwork done. The results came back fine and when asked he said he feels fine just gets tired easily. This past Wed he went to go have his mri done(don't know any results yet) and on Sun they plan on returning back to Florida for the winter. My grandparents can be very quiet when it comes to things like this as they don't like us to worry. I'm concerned as they are getting older and the trip to Florida is long and I do not want to see anything happen to them on the way down. Is there anything I should be worried about since my grandfather likes to drive everywhere or am I just being overly cautious.
Doctor's Answer
by CCF-M.D.-MJM, Oct 14, 2005 12:00AM
Hi Mischa,
That is a tough situation. I think your grandfather needs to find a good internist and cardiologist where he is going. His passing out spell was likely vasovagal since it sounds like he was having blood drawn at the time he passed out, but this should be evaluated by his doctor. Regarding cardiac causes of passing out, if his heart function is less than 35%, he may qualify for a defibrillator.
Regardig his safety driving, I am afraid I cannot assess this his driving safety without meeting him. That just re emphasizes the importance of finding a good doctor.
Sorry I cannot be of more help. Good luck.
That is a tough situation. I think your grandfather needs to find a good internist and cardiologist where he is going. His passing out spell was likely vasovagal since it sounds like he was having blood drawn at the time he passed out, but this should be evaluated by his doctor. Regarding cardiac causes of passing out, if his heart function is less than 35%, he may qualify for a defibrillator.
Regardig his safety driving, I am afraid I cannot assess this his driving safety without meeting him. That just re emphasizes the importance of finding a good doctor.
Sorry I cannot be of more help. Good luck.
They said an MRI is the only way to know for sure, but they didn't think it was necessary yet. What? No one seems to think it is urgent.
Well, I supposed I should just click my heels and see if it all would just go away. hee hee.