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Heart Failure or what!
Hello doctor. Ever since I had an Acute Event in May, 2005, my echo's have been abnormal. I found another Cardio who is suppose to be one of the best but now I am wondering. My symptoms are: SOB, feet, ankle and lower leg swelling, upper abdominal swelling (looks like I am ready to deliver) fatique, wheezing and coughing. At times I will get a spell of lightheadness and a fast heart rate at the same time. I have to hang onto things when this happen. The doctor said I must be having anxiety attacks. I do not think so. He said my feet swelling is because I am getting old. Hmmm!
I have gained 22 lbs and I feel a lot is fluiod. I cannot convince the Echo doctor that something is not right. He did a BNP and that was 20 (normal) I hvae had 4 Echo's with this doctor and they are all read by different doctors in the group. All 4 show LVOT Obstruction with a gradient of 39mmHg during Valsalva movement. Two previous Echo's showed moderate Aortic Stenosis but the most recent one did not show this. The most recent one shows: LV relaxation is impaired. LV filling pressure is elevated, mean PCWP is 15-20.mmHg. There is a anterior clear space consistent with a prominent fat pad. Estimated PA systolic pressure is 34mmHg assuming a mean RAP of 5mmHg. Estimated EF is >70%.
He did a sleep study and it was positive for sleep apnea but not sure if sleep apnea is the casue of the latest abnormal Echo. I think I am in some type of Heart Failure with my symptoms yet the BNP is normal and my EF is tooo normal.
I am in my late fifites and have had two small MI's in the distal septal Apex LAD. I take Plavix, aspirin, zebeta, avapro 150 and a 12.5 Diuretic, 3 times a week and synthroid.
I would appreciate your thoughts and suggestions.
Thank You.
I have gained 22 lbs and I feel a lot is fluiod. I cannot convince the Echo doctor that something is not right. He did a BNP and that was 20 (normal) I hvae had 4 Echo's with this doctor and they are all read by different doctors in the group. All 4 show LVOT Obstruction with a gradient of 39mmHg during Valsalva movement. Two previous Echo's showed moderate Aortic Stenosis but the most recent one did not show this. The most recent one shows: LV relaxation is impaired. LV filling pressure is elevated, mean PCWP is 15-20.mmHg. There is a anterior clear space consistent with a prominent fat pad. Estimated PA systolic pressure is 34mmHg assuming a mean RAP of 5mmHg. Estimated EF is >70%.
He did a sleep study and it was positive for sleep apnea but not sure if sleep apnea is the casue of the latest abnormal Echo. I think I am in some type of Heart Failure with my symptoms yet the BNP is normal and my EF is tooo normal.
I am in my late fifites and have had two small MI's in the distal septal Apex LAD. I take Plavix, aspirin, zebeta, avapro 150 and a 12.5 Diuretic, 3 times a week and synthroid.
I would appreciate your thoughts and suggestions.
Thank You.
My post above, I failed to give you numbers for added information. I apologize.
LA Sng. Plane 16.6 Volume 49.9
LV Dias Dimen 3.8 cm
LVS Dias Thick 1.4 cm LV mean thick 1.2 cm
LVPW Dias Thick 0.9 cm Ao Root Dias Diam 2.8 cm
2-dimentional Echocardiopgram with Spectral Doppler and Color Flow
LA Sng. Plane 16.6 Volume 49.9
LV Dias Dimen 3.8 cm
LVS Dias Thick 1.4 cm LV mean thick 1.2 cm
LVPW Dias Thick 0.9 cm Ao Root Dias Diam 2.8 cm
2-dimentional Echocardiopgram with Spectral Doppler and Color Flow
MEDICAL PROFESSIONAL
You may have an obstructive cardiomyopathy and I would recommend you see a cardiologist who has an interest and knowledge for this problem.
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