Link between asthma and heart murmurs?

[nagev]

Dear MedHelp,

I was diagnosed with asthma 2 years ago.  I was given ventolin and a steroid inhaler as treatment.  I had a bad reaction to the inhaler (more wheezing, low fever, sinus problems) and so stopped taking.  I have since relied only on ventolin for my asthma treatment which I used about 4-5 times a week.  I got a cold in early April and have had a terrible cough since and have been wheezier than usual.  I wake up every night to use my inhaler.  When I went to the doctor I was given a different steroid inhaler to use; as they have slightly different ingrediance it was thought that a different brand would work.  I was much wheezier on the new inhaler and was then given yet another one that gave me headaches, sinus problems and a fever.  I have now been given a power inhaler called Seretide.  I have little faith but I guess I will give it a go.  Is there no other alternatives to steroid inhalers?

The specialist that I went to today suggested that there could be a link between my asthma and my heart murmur (moderate pulmonary stenosis) but I didn't really understand what he explained.  Can you please explain this to me?

Thanks for your help,
nagev

[marieann288]

I am fine with the blue inhaler, but am not with the purple one which has the long acting ventalin type med in it mixed with the steroid. I'm fine with the brown steriod inhaler as well. They changed me, against my doctors wishes because he thought it was my imagination to another long acting ventalin type med mixed with a steriod... sorry I'm not using the right names..... my husband is sleeping and I don't have access to the meds.

Anyways, after taking the last one I ended up not being able to walk any distance and after a week or so of feeling rotten and going for a VERY short walk a heart beat of 165 bpm. Ended up at doctors, went to cardiologist who said NEVER take that medicine again. I'm fine with the short acting ventalin though.

They have the 2 in one meds. I can't take them.

Personally I have found singulair the best! Its expensive though and only take it when I live in the UK where it is free. Antihistamines can help as well if your asthma is related to allergies.

Best of luck.

[Tammy2009]

I know this is something called cardiac asthma that can cause similar symptoms to inflammatory "regular" asthma.

I don't know any information off the top of my head about it, but it would be worth while googling and see if that is a possibility.  

Heart and lungs work very closely together and a change in one can cause changes in the other.  Think of how your heart rate and blood pressure change when you get symptoms of the asthma, mine at least starts beating a mile a minute!

Ask your doctor what he means and get him to explain the link to you.

[Princessdaniella]

I am unable to comment on the link between Your heart murmur and asthma although I suffer asthma and have in the past researched it and never read that before.
However I am on Seretide (purple inhaler) and ventolin I did not find the ventolin of much use and do not use it as often but the serotide I use and a spacer has helped in the past. The cough and infections are also common to me I get bronchitis quite often especially in winter and colder seasons and have spent a lot of time in hospital with it in the past since using the seretide and ventolin together I have not been in hospital in over two Years which has helped a lot.
I know it is hard to believe it is helpful but I do hope it works for You as well.
Take care