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Heart Disease (Expert Forum)
cardiomyopathy and lupus
This forum is for questions and support regarding heart issues such as: Angina, Angioplasty, Arrhythmia, Bypass Surgery, Cardiomyopathy, Coronary Artery Disease, Defibrillator, Heart Attack, Heart Disease, High Blood Pressure, Mitral Valve Prolapse, Pacemaker, PAD, Stenosis, Stress Tests.
cardiomyopathy and lupus
by Lora__0__0, Nov 30, 1998 12:00AM
My sister was diagnosed with cardiomyopathy recently. She has had lupus for several years. At Cleveland Clinic, they said that the lupus caused the cardiomyopathy and then resulted in aortic valve damage. Her heart is very enlarged and they do not want to do surgery. she has 30% heart function. With her lupus, she has a low platelet count, anticardiolipin, and ?cardiophosus? The only symptoms she has are nose bleeds, dizziness, a cough, and stomach pain. She had a defibrillator implanted two weeks ago to help with the irregular heart beats. The Clinic said that all that can be done is medication to try to prevent any further heart damage. I know it is difficult to give a prognosis, but is there a chance that she could still have a normal life span or are we looking at a grave situation.
She is really confused and doesn't understand why she is told no more physical activity. She is thinking about returning to work and drives her two small children around. If you could give some clarity on the seriousness of her condition and prognosis, I would be very greatful.
Thank you very much
Dear Lora
It would be best if you called the office of the cardiologist who saw her here at the Clinic. That doctor could give you specific instructions about whether she can go back to work, exercise or drive. Regarding her prognosis, probably even that cardiologist would only give general answers, because no one can say if someone with lupus and heart disease will have a normal lifespan - much of that will depend on how well her lupus can be controlled..
I hope this information is useful. Information provided in the heart forum is for general purposes only. Only your physician can provided specific diagnoses and therapies. Feel free to write back with further questions. Good luck!
If you would like to make an appointment at the Cleveland Clinic Heart Center, please call 1-800-CCF-CARE or inquire online by using the Heart Center website at www.ccf.org/heartcenter. The Heart Center website contains a directory of the cardiology staff that can be used to select the physician best suited to address your cardiac problem.
