does chronic asthma give u an enlarged heart? it that something to worry about?

[cael m sprte]

please reply to ***@****

[CCF CARDIO MD - DLB]

Severe, chronic asthma of many years duration can lead to enlargement and failure of the right side of the heart. This is unusual these days, as there are effective treatments for asthma. I do not think that the average asthmatic has to worry about this issue.

[Deborah]

Regarding Chronic Asthma....I never thought about that causing a heart problem.  I have had very hard to control asthma for a few years now....had almost a constant flare from July to November that included seven rounds of antibiotics and six prednisone tapers, and nebulizer treatment every four hours.  I have had these problems for several years....during the summers I'm usually ok (not this summer) and during the school year I am always sick.  I had an EKG and echo a year ago that showed right atrial enlargement, other than that it was basically normal with just benign PVCs and slight MVP with only mild regurgitations...I wonder if the constant problem with asthma has caused the enlargement and whether that means with the continuing asthma flares I am at risk of having further enlargement.  I have been on as many as 15 meds to control the symptoms of asthma and connective tissue disease and it has been difficult.  Fortunately, for the last four weeks things have improved and I have had four weeks with no
asthma symptoms at all, so I am hoping that maybe things really are improving I have been able to cut my meds WAY down and now am only using three meds at the moment.  My tachycardia and palpitations have also ceased as has my chest pain...don't know if from stopping meds or getting rid of the asthma.  This four weeks is the longest stretch I've been healthy during a school year in several years.  (I teach little children, ages 3-5...don't know if exposure to their infections or something in the portable I teach in is making me sick all the time.)  Anyway, should I be concerned at all about any effect this constant battle with asthma causes.  When the asthma is bad, my peak flows drop from 450 to as low as 150 and I cough constantly, sometimes I feel like I am suffocating.  Prednisone is the only thing that helps, but when I come off I just get sick right away again.  I never ever thought it could cause any kind of damage to my body...just am always glad when I can breathe freely.  Would this be the type of
asthma to be concerned with, at least as far as any heart complications?

[CCF CARDIO MD - DLB]

Severe asthma can lead to enlargement and failure of the right ventricle - this is not common, and you should not worry about it.

[Jackie]

  I had know idea that asthma could cause heart problems. I have  several bouts of bronchitis/asthma a year [usually 7 or 8 times].Pneumonias are also a annual event. Now, I am told that I  have MVP with mild regurgitation and aortic insufficiency [trace  regurgitation]. I am 35 years old and active ,so I thought nothing of my doctor saying "this is something most people have don't even worry about it".Deborah thanks for giving me more reason to do reseach.

[CCF CARDIO MD - DLB]

Jackie,
Your doctor is right - you would be wise listening to him. The mild and trace regurgitation are likely nothing to worry about and are unrelated to your lung condition.