WELCOME<img src='/RoR/images/blank.png' class='icon_img_ww push_pin_icon'>

WELCOME TO THE HEART DISEASE FORUM!

Were you recently diagnosed with heart disease?  Are you worried about your cholesterol levels?  Scheduled for surgery, tests, procedures or appointments?  Feeling overwhelmed, frightened and/or confused?  Do you need information on caring for a loved one with heart disease?  If you answered “yes” to any of these questions, you have found the right place!  

The Heart Disease forum is comprised of a group of people who share an interest in learning more about heart disease.  The forum covers an array of topics including:  CAD, CHF, diabetes, hypertension, bypass, angioplasty, valve surgery, procedures, tests, medications, post surgical expectations, and much more.  If your concerns are heart related, chances are we can help.

Some of our members have been living with heart disease for many years while others are new to cardiology waiting rooms. Regardless of what brings you here, welcome!  Here are a few suggestions for making the most of your visits.

1)  Be sure to check out the "Health Pages."  The link is in the upper right hand corner of your screen.  “Health Pages” address topics relevant to cardiology.  Among the pages is list of common cardiology acronyms, a great resource!

2)  Please join the community.  Once you have had a chance to look around, why not create a profile and tell us a little about yourself?  Your profile can be as simple or as complex as you like.  In any event, you will meet people from around the globe!  You will have the opportunity to learn from others who share your concerns.

3)  Consider posting on a current thread or staring one of your own.  Don’t worry - you’ll get the hang of it very quickly.  You’ll find that you will want to come back often to check up on your new friends.  If you’ve got something on your mind, please don’t be shy.  There are no dumb questions and we are all here to learn.**

4)  Get acquainted with other members.  There are several ways to “Add a friend” but one of the easiest is to scroll over the member’s name and click on “Add a friend”.

5)  Consider keeping a journal.  Your journal can be private, public, or available only to those people you have added as a friend.  Journals are a great way to share your story, frustrations, experiences, history, etc.  You will probably find there are others who can relate to your story.

6)  Want to speak privately to another member?  Send a private message (PM) by scrolling over the member’s name and clicking on “Send Message”.

7)  Only have a minute and want to welcome a member, or send good luck wishes?  Scroll over the member’s name and click on “send a note.”  Unlike PMs, everyone can view “Notes”.

8)  Once you’ve created a profile, click on “My MedHelp” (indicated by a little red heart at the top of your screen) and check out the many great features and setting options.

9) Lastly, we would like to point you to the new ‘Cholesterol and Blood Pressure trackers.  You can add them to your profile by clicking on here and scrolling down to our Tracker Gallery:  http://www.medhelp.org/health_tools  ; Keeping track of your cholesterol and blood pressure is a great start to managing your heart health!!

**Please read the Terms of Use at the bottom of your screen.  There are a few general posting guidelines that are for the benefit of all community members.  
  Please do not hijack another member’s thread.  If your comments are relevant with the current discussion, post away.  If you have a new topic of interest, please begin a new post.

We are so glad you are here!  We would love to have you join our community!  Pull up a chair, get comfortable and get ready to meet a great bunch of people!  

We invite our current members to welcome our new members as well as those who are lurking.  Won’t you share your story and let others know how the forums have helped you.

Your Community Leader
KenKeith

[T999]

I had a bypass surgery 2 years ago with 4 graphs and  I went through with emotional roller coaster I felt like crying all the time and lost confidence on me... Always thinking whats gonna happen next. But I come to conclusion whats gonna hppen will happen regardless
why worry about it. Enjoy while you can.and get the best out of it

[GracethruFaith]

Hello to everyone, another newb here. Be gentle please LOL

[kenkeith]

Welcome!  We look forward to your participation, and thanks for your message.

[alabamataz]

my husband just had a nuclear stress test he had a triple bypass 5 years ago and a heart attack 2 years ago , his test showed a little blockage and a spot on his heart we see the dr. next week he wants to put dye in and look around to see what is going on what can this mean and what will they do . will he have to have stints put in ? im trying to understand whats going on and what to expect .

[kenkeith]

Welcome to the community, alabamatz, we value all questions with the opportunity to help provide a perspective and some isight into the medical problems of concern.   Your questions have been addressed with your other post that started a thread, and if you have any other questions you can PM me or respond to the thread you have started.  Take care..  

[keanusmith]

Hi,

I am Keanu Smith from CA,US. I have joined you and would like share all my views about heart problems.

I hope you will join me and help me to know more about this.

Thanks and Regards.

[kenkeith]

Welcome to HD forum.  Your participation will be appreciated,  and we hope you have positive experience going forward.  Enjoy the holidays, and take care.

[BWillyH]

Triple bypass 14 months ago.  A few sharp pains.  My ribs are still popping a bit.  Interested in tests to show if the bypasses are functioning; preferably without undergoing catherization.

[kenkeith]

Thanks for your question.  The usual procedure to ask a question is to post the question to forum posting format.  However, to answer your question, there is a stress test.  The procedure is to inject of a color agent into the blood steam and there is a monitor that observes the blood flow through the vessels when you do an exercise routine such as walk on a treadmill.

If you have any follow-up questions or comments you are welcome to post on the forum.  Take care.

[edjewels]

on 1/10 I had a cardiac cath procedure. 2 stents were placed in the middle of the left anterior descending artery to repair a fairly large blockage. After the procedure my cardiologist said he had diagnosed a more difficult to fix block in the left circumflex artery near the intersection of the main coronary artery. He said he had a good plan to fix this block but admitted it was more difficult because the problem is located so close to the intersection of the main and the stent may push plaque into the right or left part of the intersect with the main. This would cause him to have to make the stent go around this  rt.  or left curve in the intersect. He has me scheduled for a second proceedure on 1/18. I do feel quite a lot better after my first cath procedure and I have a lot of confidence in this doctor. I am wondering if anyone has had a repair for a blockage in this place and what their experience has been.

[kenkeith]

Thandks for chosing this forum for your questions.  Your other post on the question has been answered. Take care.

[cheryl888]

I am new here and I have a heart murmur.  I smoked for 30 years and now I am quitting (still smoke 1 or 2 a day).  I think I might have a heart condition because lately my heart has bee beating really fast and it makes me sweat, dizzy, and fatigued.  I am also here because I want to learn more about the heart disease that my son has.  He has DMD which is a muscle disease and his heart is getting worse.  It is great to be here and I hope to find the help I need to understand my son's condition more.

[kenkeith]

Cheryl, welcome to the heart forum.  I answered you son's issue regarding 15% ejection fraction.  Your symptoms could be related to a heart condition, so it would be wise for you to have a checkup.  If it is a heart condition, treatement can prevent any progress and sometimes reverse a conditon.  Thanks and take care.

[swagger345]

Hello,
I am newbie here and i hope you will share useful tips,suggestions and other value able information with me here..And i hope you will enjoy my company here.. :)
Regards,
Ali.

[kenkeith]

Welcome to the heart forum.  We all have different experiences and sharing can provide helpful information and that is the forum's expectation.  take care.

[PaulyB]

Hello Im a 19 year old male who was diagnosed with viral myocarditis about 2 and a half months ago. One of my close friends whos house i hang out at a lot smokes inside his house. I was wondering if second hand smoke could affect my heart and make it even worse?

[kenkeith]

Thanks for the question, and welcome the the heart forum.  A viral myocarditis indicates there is condition that can/will effect the heart's ability to pump blood that is expected from a normal heart....a virus can damage heart muscle.

Smoking or smoking environment can also stress the heart to pump harder to meet the oxygenated demand.  The stress of from the virus and smoking environment increases the risk of a more serious condition.

If you have any further questions or comments please use the posting protocol. Take care and I wish you well going forward.  

Ken  

[dragons23]

Hello everyone, 22 yo male here, I am new to these forums, hope to find some help and support here, and also give it to others :)

[kenkeith]

Hi dragon23,

Welcome to the HD community, and we appreciate any input you may regarding someone elses thread or your own thread for the medical issues that may concern you.

Ken
.

[kingzworld]

new here, so go easy on me :)

I was diagnose at 25 years old, with cardiomyopathy with a ejection fraction (EF) of 45%.  Im now 33, and as my doctor said it seems Im pass my platod and have fallen in the last three years down to an EF of 30%.  I dont smoke, maybe drink three or four drinks a month.  I have none to little blockage, and it seem it might be genetic thats causing it with me being the worse in the family by a long shot.

currently have a 4 month, 16month and a two year old,   that the doctors are keeping an eye on.  I also recently lost my job of 10 years due to my condition of passing out at work due to my heart failure I guess.


so trying to figure it all out.  just got to keep moving.. it is what it is.

[kenkeith]

Welcome to the heart disorder forum and your participation is appreciated.

Ken

[AthenaSB]

Hey, glad to see you are community leader! Yay! Well deserved too.

[Galios]

i have experience its hard to breath i also collapse i thought I die thanks God  im still alive Right now ^_^ the causes that cannot sleep well so i try to search i have discover sleepbetterlosefat maybe it can help us Lets try it

[kenkeith]

AthenaSB, Apr 29, 2011 09:39PM
To: kenkeith
Hey, glad to see you are community leader! Yay! Well deserved too.

....Thank you Athena, you are very generous.:)

[kenkeith]

Galios, you may want to pm kingzworld...   i have experience its hard to breath i also collapse i thought I die thanks God  im still alive Right now ^_^ the causes that cannot sleep well so i try to search i have discover sleepbetterlosefat maybe it can help us Lets try it.

[nee245]

Hello everyone,  I'm a 54 year old female teacher and did lite to moderate exercise 3 to 4 times a week I was recently diagnosed with cardiomyopathy with EF of 30.  I didn't have any symptoms. I was given several test ..angiogram, stress,ekg  and echo.  I didn't have any blockages.  I took  supplements such as coQ10, fish oil vitimins and wheat grass for the last 5 years.  I'm now taking carvedilol.  Are there any other things I can do to help my heart.  I don't understand how this happened to me.

[kenkeith]

Hi nee,
QUOTE: "Hello everyone,  I'm a 54 year old female teacher and did lite to moderate exercise 3 to 4 times a week I was recently diagnosed with cardiomyopathy with EF of 30.  I didn't have any symptoms. I was given several test ..angiogram, stress,ekg  and echo.  I didn't have any blockages.  I took  supplements such as coQ10, fish oil vitimins and wheat grass for the last 5 years.  I'm now taking carvedilol.  Are there any other things I can do to help my heart.  I don't understand how this happened to me".

>>>>>>The usual protocol for someone that has cardiomyopathy and an EF of 30 indicates the left ventricle may be enlarged (cardiomyopathy). Is to provide treatment that can diminish (reverse remodeling) the LV size, because an enlarged left ventricle (pumping chamber) will weaken the heart's contractility and that lowers the cardiac output (ejection fraction, EF). Normal EF is 50 to 70%.

The left ventricle will enlarge if and when it is pumping against high resistence indicated by high blood pressure.  You don't have occluded vessels to increase the resistence, but high blood pressure can and will cause an enlarged heart.  If you don't have high blood pressure, then the underlying cause can be injury and heart muscle damage.  Or there could be a condition termed hypoxia and that condition can deplete the oxygen level of heart cells and cause weaker than normal EF. There can be structual damage such as a leaking valve that can reduce the carediac output and enlarge the left ventricle, etc. Didn't the doctor have an opinion of the underlying cause?

I had an enlarged LV and low EF diagnosed 7 years ago due to high blood pressure.  My treatment (carvedilol, ACE inhibioter, etc.) was medication to control blood pressure, also an exercise routine, proper diet, etc.   My heart size returned to normal and the ejection fraction is 59% currently.

If you have any further questions or comments you are welcome to respond.  Take care,

Ken

[Jaffer444]

Hey there!  I'm 65 going on 66 and though not having been diagnosed with heart disease I do have to respect the fact that ALL the males in my family die of it and my kid brother, nine years younger, has already had two stents put in.  I do get a cardio checkup every year with an excellent cardiologist and there's been no reason yet for me to have an angiogram.  My cholesterol is okay but my triglycerides are high and for that the cardio recommended 3Kmg of fish oil capsules per day.  I do have a hypertension problem controlled by medication.  I'm about 15 pounds overweight too, though my wife and I eat very, very sensibly.  Happy to join the community!  

[kenkeith]

Thank you for taking the time and we appreciate your comments.  You are welcome to the community, and we look forward to your participation.  Take csre,

Ken

[BlueKnight007]

Well it's been two weeks now that my ICD was put in. I'm feeling a little at ease now than I did on my last post.  Question. Having a ICD implant, will that increase my EF. I have an enlarge heart, Two main arteries 100% clogged and the other one is 30% clogged. Have had 2 to 3 Heart Attacks. I know nothing about them. Bottom part of the heart is dead and the top part is in pretty good shape. I v been told that my heart is 2/3 dead. My EF is 21 to 23%. when 1st discovered I had a heart attack my EF was 28% and that was in 2007.. Systems I have had are now is shortness of breath, heart palpitations, low and high blood pressure, and fainting spells.I 'v been know to walk in the hospital   sit down and have a reading of 75/40 heart rate75pm. Currently I'm taking heart med to control my blood pressure. I was also told that I'm a good candidate to go to sleep and not wake up. That was one of the reasons to place the implant. I also have chronic pain issues which is why I really didn't want it in. Also I have a aneurysm in my  aorta   which is measured at 4.7 to 5.5cm. they told me they wouldn't operate on me till I had the ICD put in. I hope that my EF will improve. I guess I'm very lucky to be still here and I'm grateful I'm...

[kenkeith]

Thank you for sharing.  

QUOTE: . I v been told that my heart is 2/3 dead. My EF is 21 to 23%. when 1st discovered I had a heart attack my EF was 28% and that was in 2007.

Although not to take away the seriousness of your heart condtion, there may be some misunderstanding regarding the functionality of the cardiac output.  The EF is the percent of blood pumped into circualation with each heart stroke and normal is about 55 to 70%.
The underlying cause is almost always due to heart muscle cell damage thereby causing impairment of heart wall movement.  The heart cells are damaged from lack of oxygenated blood that can be caused by vessel occlusions (blockage) or acutely from a heart attack.

The ICD will provide a stable heart rhythm, but it will not strengthen the heart wall movement impaired by necrotic or hibernating heart cells.  Sometimes the EF will improve if there is a good blood supply to heart cells that previously were damaged from lack of oxygenated blood.

Hope this provides some insight, and I wish you well going forward.  Take care,

Ken

[markg25]

hello all new here .... 28 years old from the uk , heart troubles arrrghhhh !

seems a good place to get info , as im not getting anything from mt cardio or doc at the moment

good luck too all

[kenkeith]

Welcome to the Heart Disease forum.  You are welcome to post and answer questions, and we look forward to your participation.  Take care,  

Ken

[maisiejane1]

Hi all, have just found this forum and I am looking forward to getting to know everyone, I was diagnosed with aortic regurgitation 4 yrs ago, and my symptoms come and go, when I am symptom free I could rule the world, but when I get periods of symptoms I feel frightened and feel that surgery is just around the corner, it gives me great comfort to read comments from others who are going through the same. I look forward to chatting. Maisiejane1 xxx

[kenkeith]

Welcome to the heart forum on behalf of all members.

Ken  

[nextofkin]

Hi everyone. I have just joined the group. My husband, 61 has severe congestive heart failure and COPD. He refuses to learn any facts about his disease or allow me to see his doctors. I have never been so sick myself so I have no right to judge him, but of course it is extremely frustrating to live with someone who seems to be in such complete denial about his medical condition.

The reason I have joined this forum is that I would like to hear other people's experiences and get some information about his disease and learn facts about his diseases.

He was just informed that his EF has gone down to 12 (from 18 in October), which of course is very serious. At some point in 2008 it was down to 9 because of his previous doctor's failure to treat him properly, but when he came to a new cardiologist she prescribed the right amounts and combination of ACE inhibitors and beta blockers, and he got much better; however, now we can see that nobody can be kept alive indefinitely even with the most advanced drugs available. He has been told that he has three options: heart transplant (which is unlikely to happen); VAD (which he says he will refuse although I suspect he will change his mind if he gets critically ill and there is no heart available for transplant) and IV treatment (I believe the drug for IV treatment is Milrinone). Does anyone have any experience with IV treatment for CHF? Can it actually improve the EF or just stabilize it? Does anyone have experience with a VAD? I understand a VAD is meant to be a temporary solution until a transplant can be done, but what happens if no heart becomes available? How long can you live with a VAD? Any insight into these issues would be most helpful. Thankyou.

[kenkeith]

Thank you for the introduction and welcome to the heart disease forum.  I have answered your previous posts, and if you have any followup questions or comments it would be appreciated if the response was confined to a single post on the same subject thead you started or answered.

Ken

[kristine24]

hello, im new here.

I myself, dont have any heart problems but my mother does. She has atrial fibrillation and it has been finally caught on ekg. She also had 3 strokes in the past years and her cardiologist said that the afib possibly caused her recurrent strokes in the past. At first, i really ask God why there could be so many people who could have atrial fibrillation but why choose my mother?. Then after a few days, I realized that i still should be thankful to God because, at least, He gave us the chance to treat her afib and prevent another stroke.

Life is so ironic."We cannot control our genes, but we can control how we play the cards that we've been dealt with"-qoute by anonymous.

Just pray to God all the time because He knows what is Best for us...

[kenkeith]

Thank you for your comments, and welcome to the HD forum.

Ken

[upchucks]

Hi Guys,

I am a newbe who was just diagnosed with valvular heart disease. I was otherwise healthy until I became pregnant a few months ago...then all hell broke loose. During my last trimester I suffered CHF...but because there was no known history of heart disease my OBGYN just wrote to symptoms off as changes due to my pregnancy. Little did we know that it was something more serious brewing...

The CHF caused my bllod pressure to sky rocket and they had to perform an emergency c section wheb I was 35 and a half weeks. The CHF peaked post op and they had to pump me with lasix to save my life. It was a tough time for my family because I was severely ill and we had a premie in the NICU....Amazingly we all pull through.

What are the complication with Mild to moderate mitral stenosis (peak gradient 12mmhg, mean 6mmhg, EF 60%), mild mitral & aortic regurgitaion and a second pregnancy?

will previous heart failure due to congestion further complicate things I I do plan to have another baby?

[kenkeith]

Welcome to medhelp forums.  You have a questions that can be better answered and I provide a link     http://www.medhelp.org/forums/Pediatric-Cardiology/show/302 .  Take care,

Ken

[andey]

Hi everyone

i am glad i found you guys!!!  i'm a newbie  - posted a question about high blood pressure and hope to get some advise.  

I have always had "thumpies" (My descriptive word for palpatations and arrhymia), and thought, until just recently, that everyone experienced thumpies.  When i was a child, i asked my mom about the thumpies,  She told me everyone had those and just keep doing what i was doing.  (Obviously she had them too).
  Apparently the more proper name is AFIB
I had my first sustained AFIB episode about three years ago and blew it off thinking my heart was just having a bad day.  Last year, i had a second significant AFIB event and once again ignored it when it happened, but did go to see a Cardiologist a few days later who told me i had "mature" high blood pressure(190/110 in his office that day).  I purchased a bp monitor, halfheartedly took some of the meds he prescribed (the side effects were wicked) and went on.  This past February, i had my third and most severe AFIB event, ended up in the ER where they performed a cardioversion.  The Cardiologist prescribed PREDAXIA for the AFIB, but i am apprehensive to start it.  I work in a factory where injuries, though usually minor, could be a real problem if i take this blood thinner and cut myself on a press.  I also have asthma, and the literature says this medicine doesnt work well for asthmatics.  I'm frustrated with the situation.  The AFIB, diabetes and high blood pressure are sure one heck of a hat trick.    Ignoring them hasn't worked, so here i am.  IF anyone has taken Predaxia or Toprol XL, i would greatly appreciate any insight into these medications.

thanks!!
andey  

[kenkeith]

WELCOME!  You are not really I newbe. :)  If you would pose your question to the relevant thread we will as a group provide answers to your question.  Thank you.

Ken

[tyler57]

I had a heart attack at 43, 5 angioplasties and a double by-pass in 2000 and then a endarectomy in 2003 on my left carotid, which became 100% occluded by 2005 and is probably my present main issue.

Felling well enough to still be able to play slowwpitch softball 2-3 times a week and waiting for a league to start in Jan.

My wife of 50 yrs. has diabetic and heart issues  and have a daughter with ICH (inter-cranial hypertension) who may need a shunt and she is married with children.  So, these types of forums is certainly a hands-on place to learn and maybe get lucky with advice that may help to deal with our maladies and yours.

Thank You........Jim (tyler 57)

[nastythyroid]

Hi there all.  I am 48 year old female, non smoker, don't drink alcohol and was admitted to hospital in 2009 with CHF.  What a shock!!!  The diagnosis was dilated cardiomyopathy which led to CHF and I spend a month in hospital.  My EF was 18% at the time and I was told that I would need a heart transplant and the consultant said if I lived beyond 6 months without a transplant I would be a very lucky woman.  Well, in July 2009 I had a 3 lead bi-ventricular cardioverter defibrillator implanted.  I was told by my cardiologist that 80% of patients experience reverse remodelling of the heart (although it will never be a normal heart again) and it helps prolong the life of patients.  I have to agree - my EF is now 24% which is still poor but I don't get caught up in the numbers game anymore and instead, I go with how I am feeling.  I walk with my dog each and every day, come rain or shine, for an hour and a half to 2 hours, sometimes more.  2 years ago I never imagined I would be here let alone able to walk for more than 10 minutes.

Attitude counts for so much in times of adversity and we should all focus on how valuable life is to us and fight our illnesses and conditions.  Statistics are just that.  We are all individuals and should bear that in mind and not fall into or be seduced by the statistics guff.  Good luck to you all.  :) xx

[oldie]

I have just read a study from MIT ("Statin Drugs Actually Increase Rather than Decrease this Heart Disease Risk". see on Mercola.com)  that strongly urges DON'T TAKE STATINS... they do more harm than good... they don't prolong life but make what's left miserable etc etc. It is most persuasive. I have one stent, RCA, 14 months ago and stil swing from splitting logs to being seriously sick for hours. every two three days.  I suspect drug side effects although I have been on a low dose of 20 lipitor then 10 Crestor alternate days. Has any bold soul out there stopped his/her statin or refusd it from the start, and is still alive and thriving?