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Heart Disease (Expert Forum)
Heart rate problems
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 rate problems
by PR, Nov 10, 2001 12:00AM
49y/o female w/history of HF (not in awhile), cardiomyopathy (heart still large, but not considered having cardiomyopathy at present,multiple valve regurgitation (all mild)and II/VI blowing systolic murmur. Was on Altace 10mg (for HBP and valves) and toprol xl 25mg (for pvc's). I quit taking all meds some time ago. I did this on my own. I know what your thinking, but I felt I needed a break. Anyway, had chest and left arm pain, went to hospital and was admitted. I told admiting MD that I was under alot of stress and felt that was the problem. MY BP, even under diruss, was excellent. At one point it was 98/68. However, MD was concerned with my low heart rate, which at times dipped below 40. It hovered arount 47. He told me not to take anything, and I have an appointment with him later this month. He is not the cardiologist I usually see, I moved to the shore in NJ and my cardiologist is at HUP in Philly. I will see him in January. I had a stress test in the hospital and did well. For the chest pain I was given Nitro under my tongue. It did relieve the pain. What do you think of this situation?
Doctor's Answer
by CCF-M.D.-CRC, Nov 12, 2001 12:00AM
Dear rp,
The most serious problem you have is the cardiomyopathy and I do think you need to be taking medication for this condition. The low heart rate does not concern me as much as long as you are not getting symptoms with it. I would recommend picking one cardiologist (perhaps the one closer to you) and get all your follow-up with him/her. This way everything will be in one place and there will not be conflicting plans.
The most serious problem you have is the cardiomyopathy and I do think you need to be taking medication for this condition. The low heart rate does not concern me as much as long as you are not getting symptoms with it. I would recommend picking one cardiologist (perhaps the one closer to you) and get all your follow-up with him/her. This way everything will be in one place and there will not be conflicting plans.
