can it be improved?

[decorater]

I recently had an episode when shoveling ice. My heart started pounding and wouldn't stop. Went to the hospital b/p was 217/158 heart rate was 148. Normally it had been hovering at 140/90  Have been treated for hypertension for 25 yrs. I am a 50 yr. old female, I am now 80 pounds overweight. Had a sonogram and chemical stress test. Was told I have thick heart walls, small blockage on top of heart. I have had a prolaped Mytral for all my life, they said it is not leaking. My family Dr. had just changed my b/p meds and included a diurectic. Cardiologist said abrupt med change could have brought on episode. I know from reading that thick heart walls are cogestive heart failure. The cardiologist wants to treat it with medication he put me back on my old medication of corgard and increased the doseage to 120mg. also put me on prinivil and asprin theraphy. I still get palpatations in the evening hours.
I have started a heart healty diet to lose weight. Can losing weight help or change this condition? If I am still having palpatations at night should b/p meds be adjusted or added for evening? Thanks for your forum.  the decorater

[Cleveland Clinic]

decorater,

You really need to get on top of alot of things. You don't mention if your blood pressure is controlledon your current regimen. If it isn't you should alo be placed on a diuretic to assist.

Your stress test I would need to see to know what you mean by a "blockage" to know about procedeing with further invasive test.

If it really wasnt significant, my recomendation would be aggressive weight loss and exercise. This will assist greatly in helping to control your blood prssure.

If you continue to have swings, or your blood pressure isnt controlled with the above medications and lifestyle modification, it would be worthwhile to look for other causes of hypertension.

good luck

[hbp702]

Hypertension since age 25, exceedingly high BP even while on meds, and female gender. This increases the likelihood that it is secondary hypertension. You need a hypertension specialist.

You stated that you are NOW overweight. Were you at the time of initial diagnosis? If not, the docs will be more willing to look for secondary causes (even though they can, and do, happen to anyone).

Anyway, I'd definitely want to have a doctor check out my kidneys and do a FULL blood work if it were me.

Ask a doctor about all of the above and about the advisibility of exercise.

[Cathy7]

I've tried to lose the 30 pounds I've gained in the last two years since I had to stop exercising due to my a. fib.......and every time I start to lose - my a. fib. episodes increase and get worse!  I'm afraid to keep trying to lose, even tho my cardiologist said we have to get this weight off.  

The irony is, I'm an exercise physiologist (Masters degree) and personal trainer  --  or WAS before my a. fib. started two years ago.  It is killing me not to be able to even walk the dog (also getting fat)!

Do you folks get out there and walk/exercise when in a. fib.?  It's scary.....cuz I've fainted a coupla times and have near syncopal episodes and terrible weakness when in a. fib.  My husband has had to rescue me several times....thank God for cell phones.

Anyone else get this weakness?