Can someone please help me?

[rjacobs]

Let me preface this by saying that I am very scared right now,and I probably should not be. I had an echo yesterday, because my internist heard a murmer. The echo concluded that I have trace mitral and trace tricuspid regurgitation. I know that is fine, but I am worried about one of the conclusions on the bottom of the report. It said that my pulmonary artery systolic pressure is 28 mmHg. I have done a lot of research on primary pulmonary hypertension, because I had a friend in college that died from it. I have seen a few different ranges that dictate what is normal. I have seen 20-25 and also 20-30. Am I at risk of having PPH? The cardiologist didn"t even mention it as a possibility. I am terrified, I don"t want to die. Should I have another echo done, or shold I have a cardiac cath done? I need some help in understanding what I should do. Thank you in advance.

[CCF-M.D.-CRC]

Dear rj,
The first thing you need to understand is that pulmonary artery pressure on an echocardiogram is only an estimate.  The reading is based on the flow of the tricuspid regurgitation and must assume the right heart pressures.  Higher echo readings of PA pressures are commonly seen in normal individuals.  The finding of a slightly elevated pressure on echocardiogram does not make the diagnosis of pulmonary hypertension.   Symptoms must first be present to suspect pulmonary hypertension.  The diagnosis is then confirmed during a right heart catheterization where the pressures are actually measured.  Hope this helps put your mind at ease.

[dososo]

Please!When you abbreviate,indicate the full name  of the condition at first mention. e.g. CHF(congestive heart failure). This applies to medics and Inquirers.   Thank you

[rjacobs]

If you notice above the PPH, I spelled it out as primary pulmonic hypertension. Oh, and why would you post a reply to be demeaning and hateful, I am just trying to have a physician answer my question. Please! What is your problem?

[papaley]

Dear Worried,
What did they say the TR and MR were from?  I have mitral stenosis which causes elevated pulmonary pressures, sometimes it it measures from 40-50, other times, not elevated.  The last time the doctor said he could hear the PH when he listened to my lungs, but they didn't see any TR jet on the Doppler, it changes, However I am extremely SOB on exertion.
As the doctor said to you, there seems little cause for worry, many normal people will show 'trace' regurgitation on an echo.

Hope you feel better soon,
P4

[allenhouse]

My topic area is not hypertension.  Actually I usually have hpotension.  My topic is heart spasms and related ? Raynaud's disease.  
For many years I experienced chest pains, disorientation and difficulty breathing (like head had no oxygen)  Ten years ago I experienced what was diagnosed as a Ischemic Episode which made me weak on the left side for about 3 months and my speech became muddled.  
Since then I have lost most of my other languages, except when tired - when I mix up my languages a little.  I experienced mutptiple smaller ischaemic episode ahen I could not walk properly or think straight on HRT.  After stopping this (after about 18 months of trying different kinds of Hormonr Replacement Therapy) I  had occassional short episodes , but all were gone within a day or two.  
Last year I experienced a larger chest pain that would not go away, and ended with both an coronary catheterisation and CAT scan.  The arteries in both my head and my heart are very clean.  (I have reduced my colesterol from 8.4 to 5.2 in two years with active margarine intake daily and Asterix - enteric coated asprin - daily) My specialist recommended a move to a warmer climate.  She said that the angiogram was hampered by my constant heart spasms, which she says occurred all through the examination.  My Q waves are not correcxt, showing heart damage.  
I was seen by a neurologist and after a battery of tests he said I should move to a warmer climate.  My brain cell are being slowly damged by the lack of oxygen to the brain during attacks, which are when the spasms occur too close together.  I had a difficulty in taking the medications the specialist recommended, with terrible headaches and disorientation (out of body experiences)  
Again in winter, this year, I experienced more chest pain and ended up in ICU again with left sided numbness and difficulty walking.  CAT scan okay.  Since then I have been having extereme coldness to hands, sometimes over all the body - like being in a freezer.  I go blue all over, and am often numb in hands, and often in my legs - causing occassional difficulty in walking.  We still live in Canberra and it has been snowing this year.  I also find my letters being mixed up in typing.
Some of my children live in Queensland, which is warm.  Most of my life has been in the tropics, including India, Bangladesh, Pakistan, Papua New Guinea and NT, Australia. I had malaria for 15 years, and many tropical fevers. I also had a very abusive childhood in instituations.  I have had counselling, read many books and researched.  Have you any hbelp.  My husband is not really convinced that a move to a warm climate would be benificial.  
My doctor, who thinks I have now developed Raynad's disease as well as the heart probelms.  Can any one out there help me ?  What advise can you give me and my husband?  Thank you very much.  Looking forward to some input from you.

[Lyn2]

Allenhouse,

It certainly sounds like you have a very complicated medical history.  I am very sorry.  Your situation sounds like it would be too difficult for a lay person to answer.  You posted in the comment section, and therefore the Dr. will not see it or respond, and I do believe you need their opinion more than ours.  Try posting a question. It can be difficult to get on because they only allow a couple a day, usually between 9am and 10am.  Good luck to you!!!

[boo]

does anyone know what happens when bp is really high during stress? I mean is it dangerous?

[suffer]

since someone mention about Primary pulmonary hypertension, i would like to post a message and hope to get reply from somebody!
i have shortness of breath(SOB) for over one and half year, at first just like not getting enough air and some 'tightness' in central chest. it sometimes happened at rest, when i do things in a hurry, or even when i brush teeth or take shower. my chest 'tightness' seems gradually becoming 'pain' and my SOB worsen. i feel that my chest is not expanding to take enough air and i always feel breathless and need to take deep breath, but i am exhausted to take deep breaths because my chest feel so tight and sometimes i have chest pain. now talking about echocardiogram, i had several done which showed normal (ie no MR,TR detected and therefore cannot determine pulmonary pressure), and then 1 episode with mild TR,MR with estimated pulmonary systolic pressure of 33+10=43mmHg. I was so scared as I have symptoms of breathlessness, chest pain (does anyone know what's causing chest pain in PPH) and also blood streak sputum (also for over a year period). i then had another echocardiogram, which then cannot detect TR, MR again so cannot estimate pulmonary systolic pressure. But my symptoms gradually getting worse. I WANT TO KNOW, if i already have these severe symptoms-- should pulmonary systolic pressure be detected everytime with echocardiogram? My blood test ANA is also high 1:360 and i have done a intense research on PPH, which seems that all my symptoms do fit in.... I AM SCARED TO DEATH. I am 29 female. Chest pain can cause discomfort in throat, in fact i always get discomfort/tightness in chest and throat almost 24 hours a day, and pain comes on several times a day which lasted for hours. i have palpitations too. Oh gosh, I am so worried and like waiting to die. Does anyone have any comment?
Pls leave a message in healthboard or email me at ***@****
thank you and god bless.

-Zoe