Re: Arrhythmia

Posted By CCF CARDIO MD - MTR on March 30, 1999 at 22:26:43:

In Reply to: Arrhythmia posted by Christine on March 28, 1999 at 10:06:44:






I am a 50 year old female taking hrt for about 2 1/2 years.
For the past 18 months I have experienced rapid heart rate.  This began on the first day of taking erythromicin for a sinus infection.  I have worn a halter monitor - 1000 extra beats in 24hours - had a stress test - pvc diagnosed - adenosiene thallium which detected a small mi ( which I knew I had about 3 weeks previous to test and did not seek medical teatment, denial had set in) - echo in which one valve did not come out clear.  I think I should have another echo to get a better look at the valve that did not come out clear.  My tells me not to be concerned.  I am on 240 mg verapamil, but still have symptoms; waking in the early morning hours with chest discomfort, unable to do strenuous activity using upper body i.e. shortness of breath and cold sweat.  In addition my cholesterol went up to 262 at the time this all started.  Previously it was 160.  My md sees no connection in any of this.  I belong to an hmo and can't get past my promary to a cardiologist.  Since having has the mi and sitll having symptoms, where do I go from here?  Is the drug therapy enough to prevent another mi? We did try other meds, but they dropped my blood pressure too low.  What do yo suggest.  Thanks for any information and advise you can offer.
Christine





Dear Christine, thank you for your question.  You have a number of complicated test results that include an inconclusive echocardiogram, a thallium test that shows a prior myocardial infarction, multiple premature ventricular contractions on a Holter Monitor, and a high total cholesterol level.  With this information, I think you should definitely see a cardiologist for a clear diagnosis and treatment plan.  Hormone replacement therapy usually protects against cardiovascular disease and helps to lower your cholesterol, so I'm perplexed by your clinical history.    The only medication that I can think of that may help you at this point is aspirin - one coated, full-strength aspirin per day would certainly be protective against future cardiovascular events.  However, before starting any new medications, you should speak with your own physician.  Again, I emphasize that I think you should see a cardiologist soon.
I hope you find this information useful.  Information provided in the heart forum is for general purposes only.  Only your physician can provide specific diagnoses and therapies. Please feel free to write back with additional questions.  Good luck!
If you would like to make an appointment at the Cleveland Clinic Heart Center, please call 1-800-CCF-CARE or inquire online by using the Heart Center website at www.ccf.org/heartcenter.   The Heart
Center website contains a directory of the cardiology staff that can be used to select the physician best suited to address your cardiac problem.