Continued problems

[billy d]

I still suffer from a strange problem associated with arrhythmias. The main problem is I have sensations of quivering or shuddering felt right over the heart area. At the same moment it feels as though a shock goes through my body followed by a hr that goes from about 65 to 138 or so. This spasm sensation lasts a few seconds and usually returns several times in a few hour period and then can disapear entirely for 5 or 6 days only to return again. It is strong enough to wake me from a sound sleep.

I have seen a cardiologist, the conclusion of the echo is no MVP, normal left vent. size and wall motion, minimal tricusp. regurg. not hemadynamically significant,PA systolic pressure normal.No regional wall abnormalities no effusion, normal valve leaflet  number and movement etc. right atrium mildly dilated. Had a stress test done prior to the new symptoms in jan. conclusion of good excercise tolerance, no angina, negative for ischemia.workload 12.9 METS max HR 160 max BP 200/100.

Wore an event monitor for 30 days showed episodes of uniform pvcs, bigeminy, some sv ectopic beats, and one episode of 6 beat vt and one of 5 beat. After review cardiologist says if he can't see it on paper he can't treat it and the only thing he can offer is low dose of beta blker for the tachyc. and referred me back to gp who says she can't do anything more and I also have mild asthma. When the shudders were recorded the finding was sinus rhythm hr  65-132 etc but I see the normal spaced peaks with 2 bumps in between and then the 2 little peaks become 1 erratic one between each large peak followed by the tachycardia( any signif ?)

I can't accept this as I have been healthy for many years and feel that there may be an answer somewhere. Are there any other tests that should be done ? Have you ever heard of any symptoms similar to these ? Where do I go from here ? Sorry for the long report hope for some direction. The cardiologist I saw is also certified in ep. The gp thinks I need an ep study.
Thanks for your time and patience.
Billy D

[bill]

I AM A 61 MALE WITH NO HISTORY OF HEART CONDITION MY SELF.  WENT IN FOR A STRESS TEST ENDED UP WITH A 4 BYPASS AND ANURISYM IN THE LOWER AROTA.  THEY TOOK CARE OF MY BYPASS FOUR WEEK LATER MY BY PASS COLLAPSED.  THREE OF THE 4 COLLAPSED.  HAD 2 STINTS AND ONE ANGO DONE.  GETTING READY TO DO THE ANUSISYM IN TWO WEEKS BY A STINT PROCDURE.  MY FAMILY HAS A STRONG HISTORY OF VASCULAR DESEASE.  SISTER IS IN HEART FAILURE KIDNEY FAILURE DUE TO VASCULAR PROBLEMS.  BROTHER VALVE REPLACEMENT  AT THAT TIME HE DID NOT HAVE ONE SINGLE BLOCKAGE,AND KNOW EXPERENCING MANY MANY BLOCKAGES THAT NEED STINTS AND ANGO.  MY FATHER DIED AT 47 FROM A MASSAVE HEART ATTTACK.  IS THERE ANY THING THAT I CAN DO, OTHER THAN WATCHING MY DIET AND WALKING AND MEDS  PLEASE HELP US. HERBS
VITAMINS  OR WHAT EVER???? COMENTS PLEASE.

[kevinp]

Hi Billy .. I to have had these spasm like thingys .. i can never quite pin point the origin of the spasm though although it seems to radiate through my whole chest section although it could be my back it dont really seem so .. i ve been through all the tests as well and they haven 't found anything .. if you find out anything could you please let me know ?
Hope every thing goes well for you
KevinP

[Sandy]

i HAD AN ANGIOGRAPHY.  I NEED TO DO EITHER A STENT ANGIOPLASTY OR A BYPASS SURGERY.  MY CARDIOLOGIST TOLD ME TO FIND AN EXPERIENCED INTERVENTIONIST OR A PHYSICIAN.  I SHOULD FIND OUT HOW MANY INTERVENTIONS OPERATIONS THEY HAVE DONE AND HOW MANY WERE SUCCESSFUL.  IS THEIR A REGISTRY AT YOUR CLINIC FOR SUCH INFORMATION AND HOW COULD I FIND OUT AN ANSWER TO SUCH QUESTIONS THANKS.

[Sandy]

i HAD AN ANGIOGRAPHY.  I NEED TO DO EITHER A STENT ANGIOPLASTY OR A BYPASS SURGERY.  MY CARDIOLOGIST TOLD ME TO FIND AN EXPERIENCED INTERVENTIONIST OR A PHYSICIAN.  I SHOULD FIND OUT HOW MANY INTERVENTIONS OPERATIONS THEY HAVE DONE AND HOW MANY WERE SUCCESSFUL.  IS THEIR A REGISTRY AT YOUR CLINIC FOR SUCH INFORMATION AND HOW COULD I FIND OUT AN ANSWER TO SUCH QUESTIONS THANKS.

[Septal anursym, please read]

Dear dr. I am writing this on behalf of a good friend of mine, i am so worried about her. She has a atrial/septal anursym( approx size of half dollar). Her cardio has put her on a beta blocker, blood thinner, also imitrex for her headaches and nitro for chest pain. What concerns me the most is that the dr's in this area treat it as if nothing can be done. The wall of the heart is C shaped and will eventually collapse, that is the prognoses they have given her. She is 32yo with 4 children. They suspect that she may have some type of disease (i cant remember the name of it)but it would make a person prone to anursyms, are usually tall and thin and are double jointed (she is all that except has gained weight on beta blocker). Does that sound farmilure to you?  Is this condition(anursym) really inoperable? if you cant answer me here my e- mail is: ***@****
   thank you so much for any info you can give me and her
  I know you say not to post like this but this is life or death and no matter how hard I try, I cant get thru...please anwer this

[eilene]

Billy,
i understand your concern and hope you find some answers soon.  sometimes the hardest part is not knowing.

I am not a doctor, but from what you described, i would have said you were in atrial fibrillation (heart arthymmia), but it sounds like that did not show up on any tests, event monitors.  Iwas going to suggest that you see an EP cardiologist.  but then you said that your cardiologist was also an EP.  I would think he would want to do an EP study on you to determine just what you are experiencing.

I have been in atrial fibrillation for 5 years, and in the beginning did not know what was happening.  I would go in and out of sinus rhythm with heart rate going up and then back to normal.

just know that you are not alone in this.i have found this forum to be helpful even if it is just for emotional support.

Good luck and please let me know how you are doing.
my email is ***@**** if you want to talk
Eilene

[CCF CARDIOMD JMF]

Dear Billy,

If these symptoms continue to be problematic,i would followyour gp'sadvice andhave an ep study.  If you require a second opinion, please feel freee to contact us at CCF.  I would mosthighly recommend Dr. Bruce Wilkoff.

In the meantime,I would consider a low dose of beta blockers to help reduce your symptomatology.  You may wish to discuss this option with your cardiologist

[Billyd]

Addendum......49 year old male non smoking, non drinker, no caffeine, history of hard physical work recent blood work shows normal electrolytes, 185 cholesterol, 90 trigly. elevated creatine which is being redone.