1884349?1353818598
Jonathan D. Rich, MD  
Male
Chicago, IL

Specialties: Heart Failure, Pulmonary Hypertension, LVADs

Interests: Cardiology, family, sports
University of Chicago Medical Center
Cardiology
773-702-9396
Chicago, IL
My Posts
Newly Diagnosed with Pulmonary Hypertension
Apr 18, 2013 in the Pulmonary Hypertension Expert Forum - 3
Hello and welcome to the forum. Pulmonary hypertension has many causes and comes in all shapes and sizes--some serious, others not serious at all. Need to determine what type/cause of PH you have Also, would seek out a pulmonary hypertension specialist if anyone tries to start "treating" you for this. If you happen to have all the result fro...
pulmonary hypertension
Apr 18, 2013 in the Pulmonary Hypertension Expert Forum - 4
Dear Judy, Welcome to the forum. I hope to alleviate some of your fears. 1. You may or may not have pulmonary hypertension. Echo is unreliable. If there is significant enough concern for PH, then a heart cath is the way to go. 2. High blood pressure can absolutely lead to higher pressures in the lungs (and even the pressures as reported by the echo ...
pulmonary hypertension
Apr 18, 2013 in the Pulmonary Hypertension Expert Forum - 2
Hello and welcome to the forum. 1. I tend to agree with your doctor in terms of the PH. 2. Echo is notoriously unreliable fo measure PA pressures. The RV function however is quite reliable and very encouraging. 3. I would continue with the CPAP and look for other causes of your symptoms. You would likely benefit from a diuretic (ie lasix), would limit yo...
Post CABG Myocardial Perfusion Scan
Apr 18, 2013 in the Congestive Heart Failure Expert Forum - 1
My apologies for the sig delay in responding to your post. I did not see it for some reason. To be brief 1. This is a relatively low risk scan. Most docs would treat medically 2. There may be some coronary disease in the vessel the supplies the bottom part of the heart but its unlikely to be of great significance. 3. Having said 1+2, depending on his ...
Heart Problem or something else??
Apr 18, 2013 in the Congestive Heart Failure Expert Forum - 3
Hello and welcome to the forum. I am going to be brief: 1. I am terribly sorry about what you are going through. I can only imagine the anguish. 2. While I can not be 100% certain on a forum like this, I do agree that your symptoms sound very consistent with anxiety or a related condition. Remember, this does NOT mean that you are not experiencing the...
Persistant high blood pressure with medication
Apr 18, 2013 in the Congestive Heart Failure Expert Forum - 1
Hello and welcome to the forum. Because this is a heart failure forum, you might want to direct your post to one of the more general forums. However, two things to consider: 1. Seconday causes of high blood pressure: ie alcohol consumption, using medications like ibuprofen, untreatd sleep apnea, etc can all cause difficult to treat high BP 2. There a...
tachicardia
Apr 18, 2013 in the Congestive Heart Failure Expert Forum - 1
When blood pressure drops, the body responds my increasing heart rate to try to ensure sufficient blood can be delivered to the tissues.
MVP, LBBB, angina, enlarged left ventricle, enlarged right atrium
Apr 18, 2013 in the Congestive Heart Failure Expert Forum - 3
Hello and welcome to the forum. ACE inhibitors and/or beta blockers are often, indeed, indicated for patients with left ventricular enlargement, particularly when accompanied by left ventricular dysfunction. These medications tend to have long term benefits but do not neccessarily alleviate symptoms in the short term and do not improve stress. I would di...
echocardiogram
Apr 08, 2013 in the Congestive Heart Failure Expert Forum - 1
Hello and welcome to the forum. It sounds like you do indeed have the condition called "mitral valve prolapse" or MVP. The majority of patients with MVP do NOT need surgery but you do need to have your heart monitored regularly (usually annually) to ensure, like you correctly suggested, that you do not develop heart dysfunction. Typically, you ...
chances for survival
Apr 08, 2013 in the Congestive Heart Failure Expert Forum - 1
Hello and welcome to the forum. Unfortunately your question is way too vague and without more information, I am afraid I am unable to answer this question at this time.