Heart Murmur

[bowler]

My Dr. tested my heart and said I had a murmur, he is fast tracking me to see a Cardiologist. I have been feeling very tired, and not able to do much before having to sit down, and inclines and stairs are so difficult and cause me very bad tightness/palpitations in the chest, these symptoms have gradually been getting worse over a period of months, I wish I had gone to see the Dr. sooner. In the meantime he has put me on aspirin and a sublingual spray, and I have an ECG and blood test at the surgery next week. I'm a 72 female, and feel very scared.

[skid112 Heart Star]

hello bowler, firstly welcome to the forum. Totally get the scared bit but you have been diagnosed and you are having tests so its looking up. The medication will take some time to adjust to but it will help, also have a look at this page from the BHF on heart murmurs. bhf.org.uk/publications/hea...

[bowler in reply to skid112]

Thank you skid112 for your prompt reply and link, which was very informative.

I also have hypertension so I am taking meds for that, I do notice that my diastolic is a bit low, in the 40/50s so I will take my b/pressure and show it to the nurse next week when I have my ECG and b/test.

I will be glad to see the Cardiologist which I was told will be within 2 weeks, so my Dr. is doing his best. I will also mention that I noticed that I cannot lay on my left side in bed as I get the pain, that is very scary and makes me sit up quick.

[skid112 Heart Star in reply to bowler]

I would also advise you to write down questions as you think of them, we've all been in the situation where we forget something, especially with all the worry

[laura_dropstitch Heart Star]

Finding out your heart is not as it should be is always frightening. The main thing is that you are being checked out and looked after now, hopefully your tests next week will reassure you. Definitely a good idea to write down any questions you think of. If you feel you can't wait until your appointment, you can speak to someone at the BHF Heart Helpline by phoning 0300 330 3311 during office hours. Best of luck x

[bowler in reply to laura_dropstitch]

Thank you for reply, I will write down questions as I think of them, at my age things can be forgotten !! thank you for the phone number

[derby1884]

That's what happened to me. Being fast-tracked meant it all happened too quickly for me to really worry about it! Diagnosed Friday, operated upon 72 hours later. I agree with others about asking as many questions as you feel is necessary. As the surgeon said to me "no question is silly when it comes to this, so ask me anything you want". I would also advise NOT searching the internet for more detail on your condition as no good can come of doing so. The internet is unregulated, remember. Try not to worry and just remember that you're in good hands and you will definitely feel better very soon!

[bowler]

Thank you derby1884

You are right re the internet, I have had to stop looking as I was reading all sorts of things. My Dr. diagnosed me last Wed. afternoon, and referred me straight away I assume by letter, it's only Sun, but it seems like ages ago. I had an awful night last night with palpitations and didn't know how to lay.

I am also Steroid dependent for adrenal insufficiency which doesn't help, so I have raised my dose a little to help the adrenals, as I think the Adrenals play a part in the heart and blood pressure? all very complicated.

Thank you for your reply, it's nice to know I am not the only one, and it's good to talk with others with heart problems.

[FMW62]

When you see the consultant, is there anyone you can come with you? My (bossy?!) daughter used to come and take notes. When you are emotionally fraught it can be difficult to remember what questions you meant to ask and even harder to remember the answers! I have done something similar for a friend.

As to looking at the internet, I think we all have a level of knowledge we can cope with at any time. We want to know what is happening, but once you feel yourself getting upset, stop. You can always come back to it when you have digested the previous information.

[bowler]

My husband will come with me to take notes, and listen.

I understand many people have heart murmurs and need no treatment, but when my Dr. said he was fast tracking me I thought that it was serious, so that didn't help with the situation, and I never asked why, I came home in a daze.

[Fredders]

Hi, you're right about a lot of people having heart murmurs and often don't know until something happens, in my case I had a chest infection and my GP thought he heard something, I was 16 at the time. I was then monitored every year until it got to the point where I had to have surgery to replace my aortic valve when I was 52. It is perfectly normal to be scared, I was once I was told I needed surgery and I knew it was going to happen eventually for years. I think not knowing what the problem is and the waiting gives your mind time to go into overdrive. A lot of us on here have been there, so please don't hesitate to ask for any help/support etc. Hope you're appointment comes through soon and chase your GP if it doesn't.

[bowler]

Thanks for your reply, you did well to have a murmur all those years, thankfully they kept an eye on you. No doubt I will have more tests done once I get to see the Cardiologist, so more waiting which is the worse, I'm just thinking, that if I was so bad my Dr. would have sent me straight away to the hospital ?

Thank you for your support.