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Heart Disease (Expert Forum)
Re: Symptoms
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Re: Symptoms
by CCF Cardio MD - MTR, Jan 01, 1995 12:00AM
Posted By CCF CARDIO MD - MTR on January 19, 1999 at 10:21:35:
In Reply to: Symptoms posted by Shirley on January 18, 1999 at 21:23:39:
I have been diagnosed with HOCM after echo and cardiac cath (Dec,98).
Before the cath my symptoms were some shortness of breath, an occasional
arrythmia, and difficulty walking for any distance (2 blocks) because
my legs would tire and stop working. Post cath I have much increased
breathlessness (problems walking from one office to another), much increased
arrythmias, blood pressure jumped to 210 over 120, and my right arm
hurts with movement.
I was taking 50 mg Toporol, cardiologist increased to 100 mg which caused
ankle swelling, dropped back to 75mg and swelling subsided. Was on
Verapamil for two weeks, ankle swelling resulted and stopped that. BP down
to 140/95-100 now. Since the procedure I have had much reduced ability to
walk and climb stairs.
My questions: 1)can cath cause blood pressure increase or worsening of
breathlessness. 2)Is there any connection between sore right arm and
HOCM?
My doctors at HAP disagree on whether ablation is indicated based on
thickness of wall. Sorry don't have that number. The only number I
have is a pressure gradient of 114 which doctor says is of concern. Will
see cardiologist on 1/29 and am considering second opinion at
Cleveland Clinic.
In the meantime I would appreciate your opinion on my questions as my docs
have discounted them.
Thank you for your help.
________
Dear Shirley, thank you for your question. The cardiac cath should not have caused your blood pressure to increase. It's too bad that you have so many side effects with Toprol and Verapamil because those medications may help to relieve your symptoms. The sore arm with movement is probably a musculoskeletal problem and should not be related to HOCM. Your intraventricular gradient is high and certainly you should be considered for all available forms of treatment. We do the septal alcohol ablation procedure here although patients have to go through a thorough screening process before they are determined to be eligible for this procedure. I'm delighted that you are considering a second opinion at our institution. The cardiologist here who has the most experience with HOCM is Dr. Harry Lever. If you would like to make an appointment with Dr. Lever, then call his office at 216-444-6970.
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.
In Reply to: Symptoms posted by Shirley on January 18, 1999 at 21:23:39:
I have been diagnosed with HOCM after echo and cardiac cath (Dec,98).
Before the cath my symptoms were some shortness of breath, an occasional
arrythmia, and difficulty walking for any distance (2 blocks) because
my legs would tire and stop working. Post cath I have much increased
breathlessness (problems walking from one office to another), much increased
arrythmias, blood pressure jumped to 210 over 120, and my right arm
hurts with movement.
I was taking 50 mg Toporol, cardiologist increased to 100 mg which caused
ankle swelling, dropped back to 75mg and swelling subsided. Was on
Verapamil for two weeks, ankle swelling resulted and stopped that. BP down
to 140/95-100 now. Since the procedure I have had much reduced ability to
walk and climb stairs.
My questions: 1)can cath cause blood pressure increase or worsening of
breathlessness. 2)Is there any connection between sore right arm and
HOCM?
My doctors at HAP disagree on whether ablation is indicated based on
thickness of wall. Sorry don't have that number. The only number I
have is a pressure gradient of 114 which doctor says is of concern. Will
see cardiologist on 1/29 and am considering second opinion at
Cleveland Clinic.
In the meantime I would appreciate your opinion on my questions as my docs
have discounted them.
Thank you for your help.
________
Dear Shirley, thank you for your question. The cardiac cath should not have caused your blood pressure to increase. It's too bad that you have so many side effects with Toprol and Verapamil because those medications may help to relieve your symptoms. The sore arm with movement is probably a musculoskeletal problem and should not be related to HOCM. Your intraventricular gradient is high and certainly you should be considered for all available forms of treatment. We do the septal alcohol ablation procedure here although patients have to go through a thorough screening process before they are determined to be eligible for this procedure. I'm delighted that you are considering a second opinion at our institution. The cardiologist here who has the most experience with HOCM is Dr. Harry Lever. If you would like to make an appointment with Dr. Lever, then call his office at 216-444-6970.
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.
