Husband's severe shortness of breath, fatigue, and high BP

[rryan0117]

My husband has severe shortness of breath on any exercise, fatigue, and difficult-to-control high blood pressure.  His latest echocardiogram was stated to be "normal" by a cardiologist but showed a low E:A ratio of 0.74, E peak of 0.572, A peak of 0.711, IVRT 134, DT 250.  He had an angiogram stated to be "clear" but we haven't seen the report yet.  His symptoms continue and are very scary.  Before we decreased his sodium intake, his BP was going as high as 200/110, but his BP is still often 160s/90s.  He is on Lasix, Verapamil, and Losartan.  He has been given potassium, too, so his heart rate hasn't been racing like it was.  What should he do from here?  

[vienna13]

Hi again.:)

Hope your husband feeling a little better!  60-65% is very good. If that was just recently ,all shortness of breath could be stress related.
Or the iron, I dont know much about that.

Let us know!

[rryan0117]

Thanks for your comments.  He has had some pulmonary tests, pulmonary function and ventilation-perfusion, and they were said to be normal.  He is not truly anemic, but he does have hemochromatosis which means too much iron is stored in his body, and I am worried that part of the problem is due to that.  Even though he has too much iron, he could also have a form of anemia, but I don't think he has that.  He is following the best diet he can tolerate right now.  The lisinopril helped his BP the most, but he cannot take that any longer.  The Lasix and lowered sodium diet seem to have helped the most to bring his BP under better control, but I'm still very concerned about the shortness of breath.

[rryan0117]

Thanks for your comments.  His EF is between 60-65%, lower than it was on his last echocardiogram in 2002.  We're going through a very stressful time right now, which isn't helping.  He had a reaction to lisinopril (ACE inhibitor) last year with a cough, and that's when all these breathing problems started.  He also has lots of orthopedic problems, so he's been off work, which has helped.  He's been trying to do things around the house, but the shortness of breath is usually stopping him even before the orthopedic problems.  The shortness of breath has been getting worse over the last 16 months in spite of mild conditioning exercise.

[Chaman]

Ask a doctor to conduct his all heart related tests. If the problem persists, go in for pulmonary tests. and make sure he has a proper diet with low saturated oils, salt and good vitamins.
As far as hypertension is concerned, there are inumerable medications. Ask your doctor to add another medication as captopril,nifedipine, vasodilators, beta blockers to make the therapy more efficient.
And make sure he his not anemic.
Best wishes.

[vienna13]

Hi, as I see he is under treatment I mean on medication. What I would do, stop all exercise for a while and only walk. When 7 years ago I was out of breath very soon, did everything very slowly for a while.  Giving time himself is very important. Walk a block, next day a little more. Also report his doctor how he feels, he might change something. It would be important to know his EF number.
About the high blood pressure, lot can be done. Medication and low sodium diet is important, but also the mental condition. Don’t let him worry, that can push the numbers up extremely. He should try meditating.  Learn breathing techniques.  Yoga breathing has been helping me a lot.
Be positive,and slowly change will come!
My best!