WELCOME

[Momto3]

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 "My MedHelp" (top) and then click on "Trackers".  Follow the steps to add the tracker and begin using it today!  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

[momtofourboys]

Hi Connie,
this is a great source that I have used many many times.
Just wanted to let you know my little guy, Christopher, going in one week from today for his pre-op and his cardiac cath and electrophysiology study is one week from tomorrow. Hopefully we will FINALLY get answers and he will get his pacemaker.
We will keep you upddated as much as I can
michelle

[ireneo]

Michelle - that's exciting news. It seems like it's taken forever to get the answers and some action taken. I'll be looking for the updates.

To all the new kids on the block - welcome. This site is full of great information and the forums offer encouragement and experiences from the patient's point of view. Doctors can diagnose, prescribe meds and do procedures but they don't always know how it feels to be on the receiving end of all that TLC (Ha!). Feel free to ask any questions on your mind. There are no silly questions because most of us have wondered the same things. Please do join in the discussions. As they say, the more the merrier.

[ddavey]

keeping our fingers crossed for amber this week...   she had an echo last friday and we will see her cardiologist this friday...   we are hoping that her ef has remained stable at 45%    if it has then we will be almost a year with a higher ef...  i have noticed that she is becoming tired easier over the last couple of weeks but it may be due the change of meds due the recall on digitek (she is now taking lanoxin)    i will let you know how we do on friday              thanks       dawn

[wanda43222]

My daughter was recently brought into the hospital and it was discovered that she had fluid in the sack around her heart.  They drained about 500 cc of fluid that was in the sack around her heart.  Does anyone knows what possibly causes this.

[Ellen23688]

Hi,

I have PVC'S, had them for years, quit smoking a year ago, started walking, now my BP is higher and my Dr. put me on higher dose of Atenolol.

I thought things would be better after i quit smoking, whats going on her, my life has had a more that reasonable amount of street recently.

What do you all think?

[Lyell]

Hi. Thanks for the welcome. My father 80, (81 in Nov) had his third triple bypass &  aortic valve replacement last Feb. Today they had to put in a pacemaker and I guess I am faced with the inevitable!!  I just can't believe his heart is still going after all he has been though. I wanted to know about this , because I am reading it's not all that uncommon for a pacemaker to be needed after AOVR?
I'm sure I will get much knowledge and info here.

[brneagl]

Ask your doctor to try a different BP med.  I always recommend my CAPTOPRIL after trying meds that would have all kinds of bad side affects, like going into the twighlight zone.  CAPTOPRIL was tested, I seem to recall, by the VA, on some veterans quite awhile ago.  I became aware of it, being a veteran, and suggested to my doctor we try this.  Has worked for me for 25 and some years.  Good luck, work with your doctor.

[littlemiss50]

Hello
I am new to this so any tips would be grateful: I was at the doctors office when a ecg showed that I had had a previous heart attack. Following a stress test that showed things were ok. Doctor said she was just going to "watch" me (I did ask what that meant) occassionally another ecg things like that. I also have hbp, family history(both parents) high cholesterol, thyroidism,and diabetes 2. I have chess discomfort everyday and I cant keep running to the ER everytime I hurt I would be there everyday! My question is should more be done than just a stress test and should I go for a 2nd opinion or is there specific questions that I should be asking my doctor? Thanks for listening.  

[cbaker638]

had stress test read left chamber is enlarged and a transient ischemic dilation  is present   also reads gated SPECT global  LVEF  stress 61%  at rest 66%   My  blood pressure was 199/89 at peak  can someone translate

[drifter0213]

i have high cholesterol - tryglyserides i take zocor-drifter0213

[nidjain]

My mother is 54years old.Her angiography reports is as follows:
LMCA : shows 40% stenosis distally.
LAD : Shows 80% discrete stenosis at its ostium, followed by 75% tubular stenosis in the proximal segment. Rest of the LAD is free of disease.
LCx: Shows plaque at its ostium and 60% long segment stenosis in the mid LCx OM1 is a large vessel with 70% stenosis in the mid segment.
RCA: Is a dominant artery and shows 50% stenosis distally and extending into the PD.PD branch shows 80% ostial stenosis.
LIMA/RIMA : Normal
LV Angio : Not done
Conclusion : Triple Vessel Disease.
ADVICE : CABG

Seeing the aboove report is bypass the only solution? What is the risk involved?

[Whitbywitchuk]

Hi
I don't really know how to start this.

I have Hashimotos disease and I am diagnosed with CFS. I was in  a real state last year on thyroxine (been on it 25 years), breathless, dizzy, unable to sit up. I was admitted to hopital after a dizzy, vomiting, confusional episode (my pupils relaxed after constricting the Dr wrote on my notes) with abated after a small snack. I was diagnosed with asthma, and sometimes I do have a wheeze. However I comly really well with my treatment and it doesn't help the ongoing breathlessness. I crackle and cough a lot to clear my chest like bronchitis. But even bronchitis shouldn't cause this.

I went on Armour thyroid and hydrocortisone for low adrenal function, and I have got rid of most of my CFS symptoms except for the breathlessness on exersion. I had an echocardiogram last year which showed mild regurgation? Sloppy valve?
I have a history of increasing bp but it is supposedly under control now with olmatec.
The other night I was having a heated disgussion became emotional and the pain in my chest rushed up into my throat and I felt as though I was choking, I could still breath but it was like a vice around the front of my neck and it hurt a lot as did my chest, but the chest had a feeling of doom thing about it for some reason, I cannot see an anxiety attack causing such pain. I have had a problem with chest pain after a meal which took about 20 mins to go away after which I had no sign of indigestion at all, I thought it was indigestion however looking back the pain was really really bad.

My problem is the breathlessness on exertion, I cannot do anything at all. I had a chest xray for my lungs last year but nothing except a little scarring on the lung from a past infection was seen. My chest is clear, no wheezing, yet I cannot move about without this terrible panting. A couple of days last month it went away somewhat but came back quickly.

My gran had two heart attacks in her 50's, I am 49 (just).
Can anyone help me with the shortness of breath, a possible reason for it?

I would be very grateful
Dawnx

[Edge01]

Hi I Am Edge and I am 27 years old.  I was diagnosed with Dilated Cardiomyopathy 3 months ago.  Before that i experienced severe abdominal pains, shortness of breath, and palpitations.  After several weeks in the hospital, i got a little better.  Now i am in constant medication (Aldactone, Lanoxin, and L-Carnitine).  After a few weeks i experienced constant burping which sometimes lead to vomiting with nothing coming out sometimes just air (loud belch).  This is very discomforting especially during my sleep.  What may have caused this?  Do you think this is a side effect caused by the medicines or another ailment?  Please help! Btw, i am also taking Diuretics.

[Sharad]

Hi!

Hi I Am Sharad and I am 28 years old.  I was diagnosed with aortic Stenosis. I will have to undergo the Valve replacement surgery. I am very afraid of the surgery. Please guide.

[dance2525]

HI I JUST JOINED HOPE I DONE IT RIGHT I PUT A QUESTION ON ABOUT MY HUSBAND NAME IS DANCE 2525 CAN YOU TELL ME IF IT WAS O K I AM VERYWORRID AS HE DOESNT SEEM TO TAKE IT SERIORLY ABOUT HIS CONDITION HE ALSO IS DIEBETIC SORRY CANT SPELL THANK YOU FOR ANY ADVISE AM NEW TO THIS AND NERVUS  ANGIE

[cranioNheartmom]

I'm new here BUT not new to cardiac issues..My dad passed at age 45 of a massive M.I.,my late husband passed in "06" of dilated cardiomyopathy a month after he had a M.I. at the age 51.But the reason I' here now is because of my youngest son who was diagnosed with a VSD at two weeks old and had open heart surgery to repair at age 4yrs and 11 months.My son is about to be 5 yrs. post-op from his VSD repair and on his 2 yr. follow-up was diagnosed with a slight aortic root dilation.

So now I need to research all I can to make sure he has the best quality of life now and as he grows.And o see what this new conditions means as we look towards his future surgeries for craniosynostosis.

Martha

[gina5058]

i had a cardic cath done and from what i understand i have a 100 percent rt. blockage that is old,he could not get a stent in and docter stated it was very hard,he did say that a vain or artery rerouted its self.he put me on isordill and my blood pressure has always been a problem,he incressed my atenol as well.my chest feels funny most of the time,i have palptaions,light headed and he stated that people can live to be a 100 this way he seems like he doesnt want to do a bypass,but iam scared and feel so bad most of the time.i need some kind of input and guideness.please help...gina

[RadioAstronomyObserver]

Hoping to get an answer before going to the cardiologist.  Double by-pass 4-21-09 and told of a third but the heart was too week to do anything with.  Also believe there was a fourth involved but haven't confirmed this yet.  I'm on Lisinopril , 2.5mg and Metoprolol, 12.5mg (replaced by Carvedilol, 3.125mg).  Relaxing my pulse rate is 60-70 and after activity is 82-83.  It may have been higher but I'm not always near a clock to measure it.  Problem..  In the morning as I'm just waking up my pulse is 88 and I can feel my heart pounding.  I'm laying down and haven't moved yet when I check this.

Lisinoprol is taken at 9:am, Carvedilol is taken at 9:am and again at 9:pm.  wake up about 5:30am.  Is this normal? Is this something I should call my cardiologist for specifically?  I will mention it to his nurse in June (don't see him till August).

[IrishBlueEyes22]

I am currently seeking info and help on a topic I posted in the forum about a pericardial cyst.  My pulse has increased and I have VERY frequent chest pain.  I'm lookin for help.  Anyone know anything about this?

[Momto3]

Other than a very basic understanding of what a pericardial cyst is, I am not too familiar with the diagnosis, treatment options, etc.  Have you tried posting your question on one of the "Ask an Expert" Heart forums?  You might want to try the Interventional Cardiology forum or the PAD forum if you are unable to ask your question on the Heart Disease forum.  Sometimes the other two have some open slots (they only take a certain # of questions per day since the physicians also have FT jobs).  Also, I will look for your post and bump it back to the top on the community heart disease forum.  Take care.

[nanato8kids]

ALL MY TESTS CAME BACK CLEA AND CLEAR OF ANY HEART DISEASE, OR BLOCKAGE. THE DOCTOR SAID I WAS A HEALTHY 59 YR OLD, HE COULD NOT EXPLAIN WHY I FELT LIKE I DID. MORE TESTS, BUT NOW I AM AFRAID TO HAVE MORE DONE BECAUSE OF ALL THE BRUISING

[BEACHBUMCAG]

i have been diagnosed with Inappropriate Sinus Tachycardia (IST) my resting heart rate during the daytime is usually between 90-115bpm

[Heartgrl]

Hi!   Im a 14 year old girl and have been going to the cardiologist for 3 years now. I went in first for a heart-murmur. I've had done two holter monitoring, and one stress test, like 3 EKG's and 4 echo's I think. I am now being treated for hypertension with atenolol. I have to come back to the DR. IN two months. I ahve left ventricular hypertrophy and mitral valve regurgitation because of the hypertension.  

[Wheat10]

I'm new here and I'm trying to figure out how to reply to the 'welcome' post.  Not sure this is how to do it.  anyway, I experienced my first heart attack on 8/1/09 and I'm looking for more information on many topics while I wait to go to rehab and back to work.  Everyone seems to be speaking in a 'heart lingo' I've yet to learn :)

[mikeeverio]

I am heart patient since  22nd January 2004 . My friends Mike Everio, Christopher Freville and Alison Sharman,  all supported my a lot . I am living a normal life now.
I would like to say plz help heart patients they need your attention and love.
:-)                                                    
                                                              

[ANKITS]

Hello

My Dad is a diabetic patient and he had a attack 5 years befor and he has undergone angioplastic and one stent was put and my dad LVEF (Heart pumping)was 20% at that time and now few days back my dad again had attack and found bolckage and again one stent was put and now my dad LVEF is 26%

I would like to know what would help my dad to increase his LVEF( any kind of food etc etc)
Pls let me know your answers would help me

[ewriter_apnea]

Hi Sharad, I thinkn you should be thankful that you have a stenosis and not a regurgitation (backflow). The former is a kind of compensation that allows your organs to be fed enough nutrients to function well; the latter forces your organs to take less and less nutrients and can result in major problems. I am not sure why your docs have decided on a replacement, unless the stenosis is severe. Valves can be repaired rather than replaced (much, much safer and with longer life expectancy) and especially with a stenosis, which means a narrowing (the surgery would be almost outpatient and all it does is expand the valve). But I am not an expert! Also, if you are going for it, then I suggest you take a pig or cow valve or (I wish it were possible!) a human valve genetically engineered from a pig or cow (if your religion allows); flesh valves can last up to ten years whereas mechanical ones maybe about half that. I will pray that your surgery goes well and that your life will be extended for many years, so that you can help others who are less fortunate and fulfil the plan that God had for you when He made you :0).

[hipperticker]

I was just told that I have a leaky mitral valve and will eventually need it replaced. I also have abnormal resting heart rate and am scheduled for more tests this week. Including a CT scan and a chemical stress test the same day.  I'm glad to have found this place to connect with people going through similar situations. It reminds me that I'm not alone.

[babylove200]

I just found out that my daughter who is 13, has an ASD.  She has never had any symptoms, other than occasional, mild chest pain.  I am so scared, I can't even eat or sleep, but i'm trying to stay calm for her, as I don't want her to feel like she is different now.

I really need help, advice and information on this condition and the surgery for it.  I just can't seem to cope with the prospect of open-heart surgery.  If anyone can help, i'd really appreciate it.  This is a very nice place to be able to turn to for support, I thank you all.