Aa
Whta's happening here?
Oh dear, where do I start? I had poorly controlled asthma for about 20 years before I found my current wonderful doctor. I rarely get severe attacks now except when I have a cold/URI. Last week though scared me so much. I had a chest infection which set off a really bad attack. My doctor came to my house and called an ambulance because my heart rate was so high (he couldn't count it and even my carotid pulse was impalpable). At the hospital I had signs of "cor pulmonale" with EKG deviations ( I was so busy trying to breathe that I didn't feel anything with my heart). Anyway with medication my lungs cleared but the doctors were not happy with my heart. I had an Echo which showed a low ejection fraction and was given a TEE because they couldn't visualise all of my heart. I had a follow up consultation and although I need further tests it seems I have both right and left heart damage. All of this has happened so suddenly that I am very scared. Every time I climb the stairs and my heart races I am afraid I will die even though I am told this is not the case. My resting heart rate is 120 even with my medication. Any help would be great...
I'm not a healthcare professional but I try to help people at the heart rhythm forum. I read your posts and I'm not sure what advice I can give, except if your heart rate of 160 doesn't calm down, you need to see a doctor now. I don't think this forum can replace a real consultation. See my point "1." below..
If I could share some thoughts and ask some questions (again, if you're feeling really bad, don't read this post, see a doctor); is it possible that you worsen your situation by panic? Please remember that a high heart rate without the setting of exercise may actually worsen the EF, because the heart doesn't fill sufficient (with exercise, the muscles squeeze the blood back through the veins). As an example, my EF was 56% when I was anxious with heart rate 120. It was 80% with anxiety and lower heart rate.
It seems your rapid heart rate makes your BP drop (maybe due to the expaination above). I had this phenomenon (heart rate up to 200 with slight effort) last summer due to massive anxiety (I'm not saying this is the case with you, since your echo shows something else) and a small dosage of beta blockers along with better exercise actually fixed it. My point is, higher heart rate isn't necessarily helping you.
Please take a deep breath and calm down. The doctor didn't say you necessarily had heart muscle infection or RV dysfunction, she just suggested possibilities. She can't give you any diagnosis without examining you. You need to get a correct diagnosis from your cardiologist. If you have signs of cor pulmonale it's strange that you can't get another consultation earlier. But EKG isn't very reliable to verify a diagnosis regarding heart muscle damage as far as I know, it can only suggest it. I think cor pulmonale gives EKG changes that indicates an overloaded right ventricle.
My only advice is:
1. If you have a heart rate of 160 that won't calm down, with symptoms, it may be a good idea to visit the emergency room. If you are feeling unwell, don't post here, see a doctor.
2. Try to get your appointment with the cardiologist re-scheduled. It's obvious that you need help, from a doctor that may do the proper tests.
3. If you feel extra stressed by reading on health forums, don't do it. If your doctor thinks this can wait, and unless you feel that you're getting worse (see 1.) try to relax and avoid focus on the heart. But again, if you feel bad, you need to see a doctor.
Sorry that I can't give you any better advice. I'm not a doctor and I'm only trying to do the little I can do to help you.
If I could share some thoughts and ask some questions (again, if you're feeling really bad, don't read this post, see a doctor); is it possible that you worsen your situation by panic? Please remember that a high heart rate without the setting of exercise may actually worsen the EF, because the heart doesn't fill sufficient (with exercise, the muscles squeeze the blood back through the veins). As an example, my EF was 56% when I was anxious with heart rate 120. It was 80% with anxiety and lower heart rate.
It seems your rapid heart rate makes your BP drop (maybe due to the expaination above). I had this phenomenon (heart rate up to 200 with slight effort) last summer due to massive anxiety (I'm not saying this is the case with you, since your echo shows something else) and a small dosage of beta blockers along with better exercise actually fixed it. My point is, higher heart rate isn't necessarily helping you.
Please take a deep breath and calm down. The doctor didn't say you necessarily had heart muscle infection or RV dysfunction, she just suggested possibilities. She can't give you any diagnosis without examining you. You need to get a correct diagnosis from your cardiologist. If you have signs of cor pulmonale it's strange that you can't get another consultation earlier. But EKG isn't very reliable to verify a diagnosis regarding heart muscle damage as far as I know, it can only suggest it. I think cor pulmonale gives EKG changes that indicates an overloaded right ventricle.
My only advice is:
1. If you have a heart rate of 160 that won't calm down, with symptoms, it may be a good idea to visit the emergency room. If you are feeling unwell, don't post here, see a doctor.
2. Try to get your appointment with the cardiologist re-scheduled. It's obvious that you need help, from a doctor that may do the proper tests.
3. If you feel extra stressed by reading on health forums, don't do it. If your doctor thinks this can wait, and unless you feel that you're getting worse (see 1.) try to relax and avoid focus on the heart. But again, if you feel bad, you need to see a doctor.
Sorry that I can't give you any better advice. I'm not a doctor and I'm only trying to do the little I can do to help you.
MEDICAL PROFESSIONAL
I wish I could give you more answer over the internet about what is going on but it sounds like your own doctors are trying to figure everything out currently. There are viral infections which can lead to a weak left-sided heart and lung disease can definitely lead to right sided heart failure. I will say that a resting heart rate of 120 is not normal and this needs to be figured out. I really would need more information regarding your case before I could comment or give you reassurance.
MEDICAL PROFESSIONAL
I agree with the above comments. I have been out of town for the weekend, but I really think if you are feeling this poorly you should go to the emergency room. This may be all related to your lung disease but with a heart rate that fast, your shortness of breath, and other symptoms, you may need more immediate medical attention and I would not wait for 6-12 weeks.
You are all I have...
I teach multicultural management.But it is futile...because of my heart diagnosis i am lost
I teach multicultural management.But it is futile...because of my heart diagnosis i am lost
Please ask me what you need to know. I have not got everything but I will try. I have a pulse oximeter right now which says 160 bpm while talking to you. I am breathing fast too...please offer your advice
Please help me
I can give you some of the medical reports, but because I am in the UK these are not always easily available in publishable form. Please believe me, I am just after help out of desperation. Tell me what you need andI will try...
Just to explain the symptoms: I have just been upstairs at a moderate pace, my heart is racing and skipping beats. At the top of the stairs I had to stop - gasping for breath - I am still breathing faster than normal and I counted my pulse at 200. It takes half an hour for it to settle back down to about 120. I get tightness in my chest when I get out of breath and my heart beats fast...
One comment, I'm not sure whether this is useful or not, but my observation reports say I am hypertapneic (breathe fast), have hyperdynamic pulses and a displaced maximal impulse. Please pleas eplease tell me what else would help. I am so scared and it is not doing my heart any good...
I am desperate for any help I can get. It might be 6 to 12 weeks before I can get another appointment with my cardiologist, so you can understand my fear. I see my regular doctor every three days for a listen to my heart and a blood pressure check. My heart rate was 130 bpm today when he listened so he ran an EKG and said nothing had changed. What else do you need to know, because I can tell you everything if you can advise me. I am so scared I would do anything....
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