Why should, or should he, go to the doctor Soon?

  My uncle has a history of 2 heart attacks and a CABGx3 about 7 years ago.
  The only times he has ever experienced angina has been with the two heart
  attacks.  About 6 weeks ago he developed a serious cough. For the past week
  he has also been experiencing what he calls "anxiety attacks", apparently
  a sudden release of adrenalin. He has shortness of breath on occasion,
  unrelated to physical excertion, and dizzyness.  His blood pressure tends
  to run about 170/65.  He has been dignosed with ventricular hypertrophy on
  a recent US with an ejection fraction of about 50%.  He has no swelling in
  the ankles.  No CXR was taken when he last visited his GP for the cough
  (about 3 weeks ago).  An antibiotic and expectorant were prescribed. The
  cardiologist he had been seeing recently retired and he doesn't like the
  other people to whom he was passed.  He is taking the same five medications
  since the CABG; Verapamil, Linoxyn,Zocor,Diabeta and Triamterene.  I
  suggested another cardiologist for him to try, but without some sort of
  concrete information that I can pass to him, I'm afraid that he will wait
  too long before trying again.  Thank you.
  again to get some one to help him.
  I've told him to go to the doctor,
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Dear Breding:
The symptoms you describe are concerning.  The persistent cough and episodes of shortness of breath are worrisome, as is the dizziness.  It is impossible for me to say whether his symptoms are due to his heart or something else.  He is also on a number of cardiac medications which could interact with one another.  He really should be followed periodically by a cardiologist.  He should also make his GP aware of his persistent symptoms.  In addition, a blood pressure of  170/65 is abnormal.  Doctors used to think that only the bottom number mattered, but now we know that the top number (the systolic blood pressure) is very important.  An elevated systolic blood pressure increases the risk of stroke, in addition to heart disease.

If you wish for your uncle to be evaluated here at the Cleveland Clinic, please call 1-800-CCF-CARE for an appointment with a cardiologist at desk F15.  Information provided in the Heart Forum is for general purposes only.  Specific diagnoses and therapies can only be provided by your doctor.