I have suffered from suprventricular tachycardia for two years now, have a rapid heartbeat as soon as I lie down, have shortness of breath, have issues sleeping on my back and need to have two pillows propped up, sleep with a wedge due to pedal and now peripheral edema in my lower legs and calfs. I also experience excessive urination at night. I have lost control of my bladder and bowel at times. I have chest pain off and on on the left side, have weakness and much fatique, get short winded after doing light housework and going down stairs. The doctor took a MRI and found that I have a slightly enlarged right ventrile. I also suffer from liver disease and have kidney function test from time to time. The doctor also mentioned that I might have lupus earlier. My health issues have deteriorated and am on Verapirmil and Fouresmide. I want to know if my heart condition is advancing or if my symptoms are related to just stress. Whenever I take walks I can't walk at a rapid rate without getting shortwinded and even light housekeeping has become a chore and burden for me. I also have orthopedic issues from two fractured knees in 2004. What is your diagnosis or prognosis for my condition at this time? My symptoms act like congestive heart failure, however, my blood tests don't reveal it. Is there another ailment that might be mimicing my heart conditions or is my condition becoming progressively worse?
Optional Information: Person's Gender: Female Person's Age: 50 Already Tried: Verapirmil for tachycardia, fouremisde for water retention, sodium reduction foods and try to get more rest as needed. My disabilities have hindered me from living an active lifestyle as I once had.
Hello and Welcome to Justanswer Thank you very much for your question
Let me read your question
Have you ever had an echocardiogram(heart ultrasound scan done)>
Yes, it noted a slightly enlarged right ventricle. My condition has become progressively worse and the doctor thinks it is mainly from anxiety, however, the symptoms are very delibilitating. I also had rheumatic fever at age 8 and was on pencillin for ten years.
I will never attribute these symptoms to anxiety. Symptoms are highly concerning. Any idea if your valves are normal. Any leaky or narrowed valve due to rheumatic fever?
They stated that I had a slight heart murmur. I hear swooshing noises in my body and was wondering what it could be. The doctor believes it is anxiety and I don't know about the leaky or narrowed valves. Would they cause an abnormal or strange sound from my body. I was worried about blockage somewhere. It is a terribel swooshing noise that is unexplainable.
I believe that something is definitely wrong however I don't believe that my symptoms are taken seriously. I also have trouble with the treadmill and going at a fast pace.
Rheumatic fever affects valves commonly either making them narrowed or leaky. Your description sounds more like a leaky valve. It is important as such situation will pose load on left atrium which gets enlarged and at certain points arrythmias like atrial fibrillation become prevelant
Was your thyroid ever tested?
What tests can be given to indicate the leaky valve or confirm it?
Yes, I had hypothyroidism and am now on levothyroid 1 1/2 tablet per day.
I will make certain suggestions at the end and you can point out what part is missing in your work up
How frequent are these episodes of tachycardia?
Everyday, every night, chest pain is quite common and frequent on the left side. I have experienced alot of stress however, I can get chest pains at rest as well.
Are you currently under monitoring of a cardiologist?
Yes, I was given a heart monitor and now I will see an internist. The cardiologist does not seem to be too concerned but I know my body and am concerned about my heart condition and how it has become progressively worse. I am also worried about a rash on my legs that won't go away and the deterioration of my health. I can't do the simply things in life without becoming short of breath or fatigued.
I know when my heart was healthier and how the symptoms have become worse. I live with a chronic condition. I have about 12 multi-illnesses from asthma to fibromyalgia to sleep apnea to fatty liver disease, obstructive breathing disease, etc.
Certain important considerations here, I will address them and mention briefly one by one and you can ask for any query when i am done....
I had surgery last week with the removal of polyps in my cervix and uterus so they did an EKG, however, it was normal.
First make sure your thyroid is well adjusted. TSH between 0.3-3.0 is ideal .....it is for the reason that it is not contributing to arryhtmia
You need to have an echo here to fully evaluate valves and heart chambers. If chambers like left atrium is enlarged then arrythmias will likely be permanent.......
I believe I was on the high side of the numbers. It was over the range initially.
Also echo will evaluate your heart function as well...important for deciding valves surgery/replacement at certain point when needed
I had taken two Slimquick dietary pills one evening a few years ago and my heart was pounding all night long. It was quite a scare, however, my condiitons have become chronic.
A high resolution CT scan to see any lung vessel problem like chronic thromboembolic pulmonary hypertension
Your sleep apnea also makes you prone to pulmonary hypertension
How do I address having another echocardiogram when my doctor is not concerned with my symptoms? Are there other ways to determine if a have pulmonary hypertension. I usually have low blood pressure.
Your symptoms are likely indicative of right heart overload giving edema which is likely because of pulmonary hypertension either due to primary lung issues or secondary to valve issue so a full work up is warranted
I have severe asthma and obstructive breathing issues.
Can you discuss these issues with your cardiologist?
These lung issue again make pulmonary hypertension likely
if going on for long time
Are my conditions more advanced? Does the pulmonary hypertension act like congestive heart failure or CHF?
If medicines are not controlling tachycardia then after seeing the holter monitor (what type of rythm problem), ablation might be another option
Pulmonary hypertension can cause right sided failure what we call COR PULMONALE although for this diagnosis your left heart function should be normal
and you are not aware of full echo report here
Your symptoms are more indicative of right sided failure
I will discuss them with my cardiologist. For now, I am seeing an internist this afternoon.
That will be good but a good work up with focued approach is definitely needed here
Any further queries?
No, I just wanted to know if my condition could be more advanced because there are different stages and since my condition has become worse, will things improve or tend to become progressively worse?
If root cause is not identified and treated then yes it will be progressive as gradual right sided pressure and volume overload will result in its gradual failure....the reason of my concern to pin point the cause and catch it earlier
I was wondering what is the life span of someone with my condition and do I need to make life style changes regarding my employment or career situation with a possible right side failure?
These are issues to be discussed once we know the exact diagnosis. I feel that still certain work up is needed in your case. Prognosis will vary depending upon the exact cause and it will be too earlier to make such comments about long term outcome and employment matters. It will make you more apprehensive
Thank you.
Prognosis of cor pulmonale is different from valve diseases
so until we know what we are dealing with it will be unfair to comment
Experience: Staff Cardiologist