Hi,
I posted some questions last month and I appreciate the assistance you provided. Just to recap - I may have some type of auto-immune collagen vascular disease. Despite many tests, however, the docs are not able to come up with a name for the disease. I have several heart-related symtpoms including: SVT and sinus tach, high-cardiac output (diagnosed via right heart cath.), pounding heart, increased pulse rate, shortness of breath upon exertion.
My hands (and especially feet) are constantly cold - ALL the time. I am also cold sensitive all over. Despite negative inflammation blood tests, my doctor thinks it is possible that some type of inflammation is causing my blood vessels to constrict or to narrow thereby causing my heart to work harder to overcome the constricted blood vessels.
My questions: 1) If my doctor is correct in his theory, could this cause a high cardiac output? 2) My doctor says the most important thing to do is to protect my heart from overworking so I am taking 50 mg's Toprol to slow my heart and 2.5 mg's Norvasc to try to open up my blood vessels. His approach makes sense to me but would you agree that saving wear and tear on the heart is the most important thing in a case like mine? 3) Have you ever heard of someone having a high cardiac output secondary to some type of vasculitis or collagen vascular disease? If so, what treatment is recommended?
I have an echo next month to check on my heart size. If it is increasing over previous echos, what treatments should be explored? What questions should I ask?
Thanks.