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Heart Disease (Expert Forum)
COPD or Left sided heart failure
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COPD or Left sided heart failure
by Heidi__0__0, Dec 27, 1998 12:00AM
I was diagnosed last spring with COPD - have had the following symptoms - shortness of breath - especially after exercise (even mild) - extreme fatigue (especially after exertion) - chest pains - forgetful - edema in lower left leg (for over a year). Have been doing some research as am going for follow up tests (to Vancouver - we do not have specialized drs in my area) and wondered if I should ask to be checked for left sided heart failure - the meds (steriods) i have been taking have not helped. I am a 31 year old female.
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Dear Heidi
COPD would be unusual in a 31 year old, unless you were an extremely heavy smoker and had a genetic tendency toward the disease; asthma would be a more likely lung disease. At any rate, pulmonary function tests would diagnose the lung disorder. If these were unrevealing, it would be reasonable to get an echocardiogram - a cardiac ultrasound - to rule out heart failure as a possibility. An exercise stress test may then also be indicated to evaluate the chest pains.
I hope this has been useful. Feel free to write back with further questions. Good luck.
Information provided here is of a general nature. Specific diagnoses and treatments can only be made by your doctor. If you would like to be seen at the Cleveland Clinic, please call 1-800-CCF-CARE for an appointment with a cardiologist at Desk F15.
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Dear Heidi
COPD would be unusual in a 31 year old, unless you were an extremely heavy smoker and had a genetic tendency toward the disease; asthma would be a more likely lung disease. At any rate, pulmonary function tests would diagnose the lung disorder. If these were unrevealing, it would be reasonable to get an echocardiogram - a cardiac ultrasound - to rule out heart failure as a possibility. An exercise stress test may then also be indicated to evaluate the chest pains.
I hope this has been useful. Feel free to write back with further questions. Good luck.
Information provided here is of a general nature. Specific diagnoses and treatments can only be made by your doctor. If you would like to be seen at the Cleveland Clinic, please call 1-800-CCF-CARE for an appointment with a cardiologist at Desk F15.
