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Heart Disease (Expert Forum)
Heart Disease and Hormones
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 Prolapse, Pacemaker, PAD, Stenosis, Stress Tests.
Heart Disease and Hormones
by Tony__0, Jan 01, 1995 12:00AM
Posted By Tony on April 28, 1999 at 17:42:12
I have idiopathic dilated cardiomyopathy. I'm 31 years old. Male. EF of
15%. No symptoms - active. Only difference now is that meds have dragged
me down somewhat. Heartrate at diagnosis was a minimum of 120BPM (which
is why I went to the doctors). Heartrate now on current meds is 95-100
in a non-exercise active state, 80-85 at dead rest on back. BP 90/50
Meds are 100mg Coreg, 20/25 Zestoretic, 20Mg Zestril, 50mg Aldactone
(Spiro), 40mg Lasix, 10MeQ Potassium, 325mg aspirin, 100mg CoQ-10, & a
multivitamin (all total per day).
Up until Dec 98, my Coreg was 25mg per day. On the basis of a second
opinion by a specialist, it was raised to 100mg (and the Spiro was
added). For the first couple months, my energy level was WAY down. I
had experienced this with increases in the Coreg previously (from 12.5
to 25), albeit on a smaller scale. I waited it out, and it has gotten
better. I still can't do significant treadmill exercise as before (say,
2 miles at a fast walk). However, I have learned what I should and
shouldn't do, and I just don't exhaust myself too much.
My questions are:
Is it reasonable to expect that a higher dose of Coreg this high will
give me better results than say, 50mg? I only ask because a) this much
Coreg, while I have gotten used to it, still causes muscles to ache more
than lower doses, and b) the first time I tried to fill my perscription
at the pharmacy, the pharmicist needed verification to dispense that
dosage - said it was higher than the recommended dose. If there is
a reasonable expectation that it will be more effective than 50mg, then
I feel the inconveniences I described as worth it. If not, then I'm
gonna lower it.
The second question revolves around HRT and heart disease. I have read
several studies that seem to indicate that benefits have been shown in
female patients with heart disease that take estrogens (these are
primarily post-menopausal women). Some studies show an increased risk
in the first year of heart related episodes, and decreased risk
thereafter. Some show no benefit. Most show a decrease in lipid levels.
I understand that Aldactone, an anti-androgen, is given to work in
conjunction with ACE inhibitors, thus lowering blood pressure.
My question is this: Ignoring the normally unwanted side-effects that
HRT regimens would have in a male, is there any medical opinion, studies,
or anecdotal evidence that would show a benefit of HRT towards heart
disease?
Is there any correlation between testosterone levels and vascular constriction?
Thanks.
Follow Ups:
Re: Heart Disease and Hormones CCF CARDIO MD - DLB 4/30/1999
(0)
I have idiopathic dilated cardiomyopathy. I'm 31 years old. Male. EF of
15%. No symptoms - active. Only difference now is that meds have dragged
me down somewhat. Heartrate at diagnosis was a minimum of 120BPM (which
is why I went to the doctors). Heartrate now on current meds is 95-100
in a non-exercise active state, 80-85 at dead rest on back. BP 90/50
Meds are 100mg Coreg, 20/25 Zestoretic, 20Mg Zestril, 50mg Aldactone
(Spiro), 40mg Lasix, 10MeQ Potassium, 325mg aspirin, 100mg CoQ-10, & a
multivitamin (all total per day).
Up until Dec 98, my Coreg was 25mg per day. On the basis of a second
opinion by a specialist, it was raised to 100mg (and the Spiro was
added). For the first couple months, my energy level was WAY down. I
had experienced this with increases in the Coreg previously (from 12.5
to 25), albeit on a smaller scale. I waited it out, and it has gotten
better. I still can't do significant treadmill exercise as before (say,
2 miles at a fast walk). However, I have learned what I should and
shouldn't do, and I just don't exhaust myself too much.
My questions are:
Is it reasonable to expect that a higher dose of Coreg this high will
give me better results than say, 50mg? I only ask because a) this much
Coreg, while I have gotten used to it, still causes muscles to ache more
than lower doses, and b) the first time I tried to fill my perscription
at the pharmacy, the pharmicist needed verification to dispense that
dosage - said it was higher than the recommended dose. If there is
a reasonable expectation that it will be more effective than 50mg, then
I feel the inconveniences I described as worth it. If not, then I'm
gonna lower it.
The second question revolves around HRT and heart disease. I have read
several studies that seem to indicate that benefits have been shown in
female patients with heart disease that take estrogens (these are
primarily post-menopausal women). Some studies show an increased risk
in the first year of heart related episodes, and decreased risk
thereafter. Some show no benefit. Most show a decrease in lipid levels.
I understand that Aldactone, an anti-androgen, is given to work in
conjunction with ACE inhibitors, thus lowering blood pressure.
My question is this: Ignoring the normally unwanted side-effects that
HRT regimens would have in a male, is there any medical opinion, studies,
or anecdotal evidence that would show a benefit of HRT towards heart
disease?
Is there any correlation between testosterone levels and vascular constriction?
Thanks.
Follow Ups:
Re: Heart Disease and Hormones CCF CARDIO MD - DLB 4/30/1999
(0)
