Heart/lung problem

I have been to the doctors following episodes of chest pain and a cough which I have had for about 12 months. He referred me for a chest xray which showed borderline enlarged heart and hyperinflated lungs. ECG shows irregular heartbeat. I have breathlessness when lying down and sometimes me fingers and ankles swell, especially if it is warm. I also have high occualr pressure which has casued a bit of damage to my sight, dont know if this would be connected? Is this indicative of serious conditions or not?
Thanks
Shelly

[Jerry_NJ]

Sorry to read of such a tough time. To the "heart" of your question:  yes, I think it indicates serious problem(s) and believe you need to push further with your doctor to answer the connection question.  It seems to me possible that there is one or more core problem that aggravates the other problems.

Many of the symptoms are characteristic of heart rhythm problems, but eye pressure problems isn't one I have read about in the past.  It does seem possible.  Maybe a heart echocardiogram would help in the diagnosis.  I am thinking in particular the heart Ejection Fraction (how well it pumps) as a possible core problem.  Just a GUESS, I am not a doctor.

[shellysexbomb]

Turns out I have a heart murmur too. Had ecg now awaiting stress ecg, then I may know more :o)

[shellysexbomb]

Had stress ecg yesterday. Used contrast to enhance the pictures and chemical to stress my heart. Had adverse reaction as in passed out and struggled for breath, leading Dr to immediately inject me with anti dote ( or something) to counteract the effect. he said my heart looks fine, but I did hear him say to a nurse something about being back in sinus rythym and something about a cavity and that was why I fainted. Anyone got any ideas what may have caused that? It has left me feeling really shaken up :o(

[tom_h]

Cavity? ....How about "cavitation"? It's possible that if you went into a jumbled up arrhythmia you passed out from poor blood flow.  If you went into an extremely fast heart rate, perhaps the lower chambers were pushing out blood before they could completely fill.  But that's pure speculation on my part.

I mentioned in another post yesterday that the contrast dye can cause severe reactions in some people.  

[shellysexbomb]

Hi Tom ;0)
Thanks for your reply. I have the sneaking suspicion that the fainting was something to do with my breathing. I have recently been diagnosed with asthma and am almost certain that the reaction caused a bronchospasm. I havent heard from the hospital as of yet, so surely nothing serious can be wrong. I will only panic if i get a really 'quick' appointment with the cardiologist!!!