Is Renaud's connected to heart problems

[softballmom]

My 12 year old female was diagnosed with Renauds two years ago.  She only has difficulties during the spring months March-June.  Her hands turn a bright blue not your normal white.  The coloration starts on the palms then extends to the fingers. Last year she started having chest pain and she complained about breathing.  We have had a EKG and it was normal.  It has started again this year.  She never has trouble any other time in the year.  There is always a weather change when she experiences symptoms.  She is not on any medication and does not have any other problems.  I have taken her to the doctor about this and because there were not any EKG problems they said it was a result of the Renauds.  I am concerned that she could have been misdiagnosed or there is something that the EKG is not picking up.  There is not a family history of Heart attacks but her father had rheumatic fever when he was a child. Are there any tests I could get? Is Renauds a concern for future heart problems?

[CCF-M.D.-CRC]

Dear mom,

Raynaud's phenomenon is a vascular condition where peripheral arteries constrict in response to cold.  It usually presents in women in their 20's-30's.  The fingers are usually affected although toes, ear-lobes and the nose may also be affected.  The characteristic change in color sequence is first white, then blue then red with rewarming.  The treatment for Raynaud's is avoidance of cold by dressing warmly (or moving South:)  In severe cases calcium channel blocking drugs may be used.  

I have never heard of a link between Raynaud's and heart problems.  There is a condition of coronary artery spasm but this is not usually brought on by cold and is not usually in children.  Has your daughter been evaluated for asthma?  This can be triggered by cold and may present as chest pain.

[Buzz]

Now that is a smart Doctor.  Thanks,  I was reading moms question and thought of asthma also.  Being a person with asthma all my life,  I have learned a thing or two.  A lot of people have asthma and go there entire life and never know it.  One does not have to be breathing hard to have it.  Being your daughter problems start with a weather change, this is a real problem for most asthmacis.  I remember when my chest used to hurt for days. It felt like I had bricks on the chest. When my new doctor said I had asthma, I could not believe it.  But after months of reading, I learned I had it all my life.  Check out www.myasthma.com  It is a great site with a real nurse to ask question.  It is tops like this site.  

Does you daughter do any coughing at night?  How much does she have to blow the nose.  Does she drink lots of milk?  Is she tired alot.  Now like any other problems, signs are not aways there all the time.  They have a way of coming and going and getting you all confused.  Thats where a doctor comes in and runs the test.  Go to the doctor with knowlege and they will help you more. :-)

Super best wishes,
Buzz