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Heart Tests: Your's and Mine

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Posted 6/8/2005 12:58 AM (GMT 0)
I had an MI in Jan of 2004. They tell me I was in very serious condition. Three people in the medical profession had missed my symptoms and attributed them to something else. By the time I got in there it was four days later and I had gone into full blown CHF and have CAD. I was flown to a larger hospital in the largest city close to where I lived where they performed a cath and gave me one of those cypher stents. I ended up with heart damage, an aneruism on my heart, CHF and an Ejection Fraction of 30-35%. I had a lot of different tests while I was there, including an echocardiogram. Tomorrow I have the first one since that time. I will find out if the aneurism has grown and if my EF has changed at all. The people in cardiac rehab felt that it might have improved a bit. I'm a little nervous about it. I want my cup to be half full, but I'm feeling like it's half empty right now....feeling sorry for myself, worrying about the worst, etc. I thought I'd start a string for those of us who have tests coming up. Hugs, Kathy
Posted 6/8/2005 1:11 AM (GMT 0)
Awww, (((Kathlyn))), much good luck to you and best wishes for an improvement on that EF!!  Remember it's only a number-it's how you really feel that counts! yeah Please let us know your results when you find out!!

 

Big Hugs, Teri tongue

Posted 6/8/2005 3:54 AM (GMT 0)
I will, and thank you Teri. I see my cardiologist the following Wednesday and hopefully it will not be bad news.
Posted 6/8/2005 8:31 PM (GMT 0)
I got the echo today and it went really well. The young guy who walked me back looked at my chart and said, hey I thought I recognized you. And I said, "huh?" He was a friend of my daughter's all through high school and had changed from working on computers to going to school to be a tech. So, he and another person who was training him did the test. I have not heard anything from my cardiologist, but the trainer said that my heart is functioning at about 58%! Right after my heart attack it was only 30-35%. The tech also said he was not supposed to talk to us about our test results. So not sure why he did, but will wait to listen to the dr. to get the full scoop. I'm so happy though. I know that's not all there is to it. I do still have the aneurism. That didnt' disappear. drats, lol. It's down on the left ventricle and almost on the apex? Is that the right spelling? Anyway, I'm feeling pretty good today. To top it all off, I called my daughter to let her know and she aid that my nephew from AR had just drove in. He never let any of us know. that little devil. But it was so good to see him and his family! I"m on Cloud 9 right now. Thanks for listening.
Posted 6/8/2005 9:11 PM (GMT 0)
That cloud 9 can be a good thing doesn't even call but what a suprise. how did you react when yuo saw yuor daughters friend she went to HS with now changing fields maybe that is why he told you what he told you. I hope yuo get good rsults sonn too. fixing to storm soon and got to go cook dinner.

Heidi

Posted 6/9/2005 2:33 AM (GMT 0)
Thanks, Heidi! As soon as Jason said his name I remembered him. He's about 15 years older though than when I last saw him, so it was hard to remember what he looked like as a teen. It was actually the other guy, the trainer who told me, though. I know that I still have CHF and CAD and that I can't just let go because I have this good news, but I really needed somegood news, as I know we all do!
Posted 6/9/2005 2:53 AM (GMT 0)
Kathlyn, that is really great news to hear!!  58%?!  Wow-you must be doing something right and they must have you on all the right stuff! tongue Did they ever tell you if you had right or left HF?  If you've answered this before...well you know my mind? confused

 

Big Hugs and hoping that the rest of those results turn out just as promising and hopeful!!  Teri tongue  xoxoxo

Posted 6/9/2005 10:10 AM (GMT 0)
Hi Kathleen,

58%  yeah This is great news....Congratulations!

I had my Echo yesterday and the female tech who has been doing these for 12 years, left the room to talk to the Echo Doctor, when she was through.  She was stoned face which made me "white faced"...They told me to wait but after 1/2 hour, I got dressed and left as it was after 5:00PM and I knew traffic would be horrendous.  I think they forgot about me in that back room. eyes

This is my first echo after "the heart event" of 2 weeks ago where there was heart damage in the distal LAD, I was told yesterday. (they assume it was there)

I pray mine is also 58%.... :-)

Good Luck to you, Kathleen and God Bless Us All.

Posted 6/9/2005 1:26 PM (GMT 0)
When I was in cardiac rehab the staff told me that they thought my EF may have improved some. Yesterday the techs said that when they do a test right after an MI, it might be lower. The surgeon who did my stent after my MI leaned over me (I was on so many "good" drugs I can't remember if I were in my room, in the hall, etc. I always try to include that entire description and am giving up on trying to figure out where he told me this.) when I was being rolled from ICU to my room and said that he had a heart attack very similar to mine and that his heart sort of rejuvinated itself. He told me that it might not happen in my case. I still have the CHF and CAD, but the news that my EF has improved was uplifting. If your's isn't 58%, just hold on to some hope. I don't want to give false hope, but I guess it is possible. I'll pray too, that your's is good, TerxRose!
Posted 6/9/2005 2:21 PM (GMT 0)
Kathlyn - I'm glad to hear that your EF is so much better!

I can tell you from personal experience that I had approx. 25 asymptomatic years after a serious heart attack (during a cath) when I was 27. I am not sure how much is actual rejuvenation and how much is compensation but whatever it was, the effect was the same. However - I also was (still am) VERY pro-active about my nutrition and exercise (walked 5 mi/da), very fit, never even slightly overweight, and did everything in my power to keep all risk factors that *are* in my control to a minimum. I really had to do this to have any kind of a normal life, because my history is rheumatic fever.

I was on the AHA site yesterday, and noticed a phrase which I liked and happen to agree with 100%
"most heart disease is preventable". I believe I prevented having 3 valves replaced (which was recommended then) and who knows what else I prevented - by being pro-active. And the testing now does not show nearly the damage that was showing then.

I don't know how much more motivated one could possibly be when you seriously consider the alternatives - MI's, cath's, stents, CABG, etc. Certainly part of my motivation was/is to avoid another cath at all costs. I am very alarmed to see the frequency of caths these days - it was an extremely RARE thing back in '77, and they were not totally new then. I am wondering if there isn't far too much disregard of the real risks and dangers of a cath, let alone all that could follow.

All this to say, I hope that you (anyone reading this) will be as pro-active as you possibly can. Especially now that you've had a taste of the alternatives. Like mine, some of yours may not be preventable - but alot of it is!

hugs,
Oona
Posted 6/9/2005 11:31 PM (GMT 0)
tongue  Dear Kathlyn:)

    I'm happy for you with your great results from your echo.  My best wishes to you.  Keep up the good work girl!!!

    God Bless Us All!!!!

    xoxoMARYME

 

Posted 6/10/2005 3:10 AM (GMT 0)
I feel very guilty because I'm still overweight and have not been exercizing or eating as well as I had been. I did do cardiac rehab. I am going to take better care of myself. So I am really not doing anything good right now. I am promising myself and you all to do better though. I dont' want it to be 25% next time I have an echo.
Posted 6/10/2005 3:59 AM (GMT 0)
Kathlyn, between the rehab and the job, the constant 'going', I'm sure somewhere in there something has been helping, along with the right meds., as well!! tongue I hope for your sake, that your heart stays where it's at right now~in a good place!

 

Hugs, tongue Teri xoxoxo

Posted 6/10/2005 10:29 AM (GMT 0)
Thanx, TEri!
Posted 6/10/2005 7:29 PM (GMT 0)

Thanks Kathlyn and all.

I just heard from the Echocardiogram Cardio doc.  My EF is quite strong he said. 58% and better.  He wants to see me in his office next week to check the heart rate again as I am on Sotolol and the verdict is still out as to what really happened to me as he said the 50-60% blockage may of been an incidental finding and had nothing to do with the A-Fib!~!

So for now.....we are good.  This is a good feeling as Kathlyn well knows...

God Bless Us All.

Posted 6/11/2005 1:58 AM (GMT 0)
TexRose, congratulations on your EF as well! I haven't read back on the forum, but you were diagnosed with Heart Failure?-blockages and A-Fib?!

 

Best Wishes, Teri  tongue  

Posted 6/11/2005 2:32 AM (GMT 0)
Well, since everyone else is having EF's done... tongue

 

I saw my cardiologist and my PCP today and the combination eval was to do another event monitor-just to be sure?  More blood work checking kidneys and 'stuff', and

a 'First Pass' test;

http://www.meritcare.com/hwdb/showTopic.asp?module_abbrev=HWMedTests&pd_hwid=tp17399&topic_name=Cardiac%20Blood%20Pool%20Scan&sequence=1

He took me off of my Zocor, cause even tho the CPK turned out okay, he still thinks that may be what's bringing on the aches and pains.  I'm off the Calcium Blocker and Ace Inhibtor, so only on aspirin, Plavix and Digoxin for the heart at the moment.  He said the other med.'s were 'weighing me down' BP-wise.

 

PCP suggested another Pulmonologist...

 

So we shall see! tongue Hugs, Teri

Posted 6/11/2005 3:46 AM (GMT 0)
Thanks Teri,

Curious....Why are they checking you for Kidney? What is a "first pass" test?

When I was in the ER room, Trops and Chorlide elevations can  mean a problem with the kidneys....

Teri, do you know what tests they do for kidney disease?

Good Luck To You.

Posted 6/11/2005 4:01 AM (GMT 0)
TexRose, when I had a 'problem' a couple of weeks ago with feeling lightheaded and angina-my legs swelled up and I didn't urinate much at all-just at night. So they are checking to see if there is something up with that?! Sometimes with HF, or CAD or other heart problems, that can lead to problems with other organs of the body...the link above is to tell you about a First Pass.

You never answered me about your diagnosis, TexRose?!

Kidney tests can be done by doing bloodwork. Hugs, Teri :)

http://kidney.niddk.nih.gov/kudiseases/pubs/kidneytests/
Posted 6/11/2005 2:45 PM (GMT 0)
Hi Teri,

If I knew my DX I would share... The only thing they list on ER report is CAD and A-Fib. They also list hypertension but I do not have high BP. MI? Not sure. Cath doc says no...regular cardio is not sure..

My feet swell and are very tight as are the botton of my legs. My Cardio sees this all the time and said it is cosmetic and or venous insufficeincy of the legs. He said I do not have CHF or any Cardiomyopathy.

I see him next week and again every week for the next month. When they did the heart cath the new cath doctor also did a CT scan on the abdominal aorta to check for blockages. None seen.
Posted 6/11/2005 10:40 PM (GMT 0)
TexRose, thank you for sharing that! :) It's just hard for me to find things to help someone, when I'm not sure what is wrong.

CAD can encompass a lot of things!
Check out this link; http://www.nhlbi.nih.gov/health/dci/Diseases/Cad/CAD_WhatIs.html

Do you cross your legs a lot? Is so learn not to! Easier said than done. :) When you cross your legs basically you are 'stifling' the blood flow.

Cosmetic?? I've never heard that description before?

Any time I can help you, just holler! :) I'm sorry that you are going through all this, without a lot of answers from your Dr.'s yet, but hopefully soon, they will be able to help you out!! In the mean time, read and learn as much as you can, it's for your own benifit and to help yourself, you must learn to be part of your health team!!

Hugs from Central Texas!! Teri :)
Posted 6/12/2005 1:22 AM (GMT 0)
Do not cross my legs but sit at the computer a lot doing research.  I use a stool to put my feet on now but does not seem to help a heck of a lot. Read somewhere else about a lady who sat at a computer all day and her lower legs and feet swelled all the time....It is called getting "older".  The veins also break can down in the legs....It is worse in the warmer months. 

Hugs from Eastern Texas :-)   Having a hard time with Sotolol.....This med is for A-Fib.

Posted 6/12/2005 4:17 PM (GMT 0)
TexRose,

 

I find that as I sit at a computer a lot, just wiggling my legs, moving them, propping them up on a chair all helps, but can you get up and move around at least once every hour, even if it's just around your desk?  I don't get a lot of exericise in, but while I'm working at my volunteer job, I'm pacing the floor, walking with the birds, etc.  So that helps my legs a lot!  I have arthritis in my knee, hips,lower back and pelvic area amongst other joints and I can't take a lot of weight bearing exercises.  They tell me to swim, but unless I have a babysitter out there with me, lol it's hard to get that in everyday...so just do the best that you can and try a little extra!! yeah

 

Re Sotalol; http://www.drugs.com/xq/cfm/pageid_0/htm_d00371A1.htm/type_mtm/tgid_54/bn_sotalol/qx/index.htm

 

I did look this up and being a Beta Blocker, sometimes, that in itself can just take time to adjust to.  What are the problems that you're having?  Fatigue?  Low BP?

 

I sure hope that you adjust to this soon, if not, perhaps there is something else that they might try?

 

Hugs, Teri tongue

Posted 6/16/2005 11:53 AM (GMT 0)
I got my results yesterday at the cardiologist's. The echocardiogram showed that my aneurism is still "very very very tiny". That is according to Dr. Tan. It has not grown at all. Other good news is that my EF went from 30/35% to 50/55%. Immediately after my MI in Jan. of 2004 it was the 30-35 number. The day of my echo the techs told me it was 58%. Also, my hart failure is in Stage one. When I had the MI it was in Stage 3 or 4, and he said there were only 4 stages.

He did get after me for not losing weight. I needed to be confronted. Now for my blood work.

(My liver is fine, also)

HDL 47
Cholesterol 169
Triglyceride 141
LDL 94

Dr. Tan increased my Lipitor ot 40 mg from 20.

I"ve had to edit this 2 tims now! I keep missing things, like words, haha. My CHOL/HDL Rati is 3.6. There is an L to the right of that which has in parenthesis the numbers 3.8-5.7. I'm guessing that is the desired ratio.

He attributed my constant fatigue to possibly weight, diabetis or the medication that I'm taking. My blood pressure is often in the lower ranges

I just wanted to share the news. It made me feel pretty good, although there is still much work ahead. Oh, P.S. He told me I can do just about anything I want in my job, only the tiredness can limit me. As long as I don't have an extremely physical job, which I don't.
Posted 6/16/2005 11:55 AM (GMT 0)
Teri suggested that I start this topic so if you wanted to share your test results you could. I just wanted to remind you that it's not for me alone! I do see that some people are posting about their tests here, too. Hugs, Kathy
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