anyone care to have a look at my Echo... - British Heart Fou...

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anyone care to have a look at my Echo report from the summer

NLGA profile image
NLGA
49 Replies

although BobW has helped me with this previously and that was very kind of him and welcome his thoughts again

I can’t help thinking things are not right I still get breathing issues amd of late the odd dizzy spell so much so I have to hold on

I can walk 6/7 miles yet get breathless other days just walking upstairs or light lifting

I had a dizzy spell today but my blood pressure was 105 /60 so maybe a little low but drastically

Any views welcome as I have no follow up appointment booked I have contacted PALS over medication review as I have had none since June

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NLGA profile image
NLGA
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49 Replies
NLGA profile image
NLGA

anyone

Please

Motorman profile image
Motorman in reply toNLGA

In my opinon it needs a qualified doctor to read that and give an explanation. It reads a lot better than my last letter!

NLGA profile image
NLGA in reply toMotorman

sorry to hear that

My trouble is I can’t get a doctor to see me

Yumz199725 profile image
Yumz199725

It's too blury can't read it 😬

NLGA profile image
NLGA in reply toYumz199725

ok sorry for some reason it’s clear on mine I will take another photo tomorrow

Yumz199725 profile image
Yumz199725 in reply toNLGA

Yeah if it's clear I'll definitely be able to read it.

RichardUK2 profile image
RichardUK2

Hi

Thank you for sharing. This is my opinion from my personal experience and I am not medically qualified.

Your echo report looks great with no report of stenosis or regurgitation in any valve except mild regurgitation in the mitral valve. Sounds like your aortic valve is performing superbly and is tri-leaflet.

From someone who has severe aortic regurgitation I can say that my exercise intolerance is consistent. I can’t walk 1 mile any day. My breathlessness does vary from day to day but I can only walk so far.

Perhaps your problem is elsewhere (digestive? Anxiety?) Perhaps repeat echo in a year?

However .., I know with my regurgitation it took a few years to get from mild to severe but I picked up my aortic regurgitation when it was mild. I wonder if sometimes you know your own body, and feel the difference, and whilst maybe medically insignificant and non-threatening, it’s noticeable to you.

Anyway hope my thoughts and comments help somewhat!

I’d book a private appointment with a cardiologist to get an expert opinion on the echo.

Good luck! :-)

NLGA profile image
NLGA in reply toRichardUK2

hi Richard

Reading your reply has certainly lifted my mood for the day

I have no knowledge so having someone look at it is a great help . The hospital haven’t even been in touch since I had a monitor in august so I was / am left wondering about my condition

It’s a puzzle why one day I walk 6 miles another day walking upstairs makes me breathless

It’s really kind of you to help and it’s certainly encouraged me greatly

Thank you

devonian186 profile image
devonian186

Many medications have dizziness as a side effect and in this very cold weather the heart is working harder

NLGA profile image
NLGA in reply todevonian186

yes that’s a good point thank you

Adhtz21 profile image
Adhtz21

Hi, that looks a good echo report in my non medical view. I would be more than happy to swap as despite aortic valve replacement and ascending aorta replacement during February, 2020, my latest CT scan following echo report shows 2mm dilation of ascending aorta and 1 mm elsewhere.

I managed to move hospitals as my local cardiologists were dire! On Friday, I saw one at Nottingham City Hospital who was first class! I now have an additional blood pressure tablet which seems to be working great.

Re: your blood pressure, tolerate it being what it is if you can. I had my tablet reduced a year or so ago and it is apparently better to be at the 109/66 range that mine now is.

Good luck but to finalise, I think your echocardiogram result is a good one and of no concern.

Kind regards,

Andy

NLGA profile image
NLGA in reply toAdhtz21

hi Andy that’s really kind of you to read it and advise me I was getting in a pickle of late just not knowing what was going on

I think your right I need to see about a new cardio hospital as this is pointless. I actually got them to phone back in the week after me calling every week since September amd they left a number no longer in use of all things

Adhtz21 profile image
Adhtz21

Hi NLGA, persist with the hospital as I refused the Cardiologist telephone reviews. Its pointless. Ironic as I was having steroid jabs in my keloid scar left over from OHS and they did not deliver those through the phone lime 😁I never actually saw my first cardiologist. She was part time and obviously conducting telephone reviews over the phone from home. I had 5 cancellations on consecutive Mondays until I lost my patience and contacted my Surgeon at the Surgical team. He kindly arranged a new consultant for a face to face consultation. I attended with great hopes but he was rude, arrogant and totally unprepared. He did order an echo and ambulatory blood pressure test. He then failed to act on the results. Fortunately, I saw my echo report on the NHS app. It said new event - dilation of aortic arch. He did nothing. My GP was useless too, despite taking a salary of £126k per annum (freely available on google). He wanted a plan from my cardiologist but would not chase one up directly. I went back to the surgical team at Nottingham City Hospital who arranged a CT Scan. I also complained at my surgery and they referred me away from my local hospital to the Nottingham City Hospital. On Friday O saw a brilliant Cardiologist who gave a clear plan and reduced my blood pressure overnight. This is key to managing ky aneurism. I am now going to make a formal complaint against the local cardiologist to protect other patients and hopefully ‘root out’ the rot.

Keep persisting. Good luck.

NLGA profile image
NLGA in reply toAdhtz21

it’s terrible how they have treated you my GP is no help it’s like he is scared to challenge the hospital to push my case . I feel since I left hospital I am forgotten . I spoke to the cardio nurse who gave me the desk line back in June and she told me the cardio secretary has been told not to answer the phone and now her voicemail is full , I mean how can you be given a voice mail to call back on then when you do half hour later the number informs you it’s no longer in use amd can’t not take voice mail she must have known that when the number was left . Total disregard

devonian186 profile image
devonian186 in reply toNLGA

You must stop using Acronyms. What is a GP.? Obviously its some sort of medical term. Is it a beast of myths or legend or do these creatures actually exist in the modern world.

NLGA profile image
NLGA in reply todevonian186

are you ok ? you must know what a GP is ? General practitioner ( local doctor )

devonian186 profile image
devonian186 in reply toNLGA

I was being satirical. My local surgery does everything possible to keep people away

NLGA profile image
NLGA in reply todevonian186

got you like getting to speak to a cardio doctor cub my case just for a medication review

kyoom profile image
kyoom

Hi,

After reviewing your echo report, I must say with my cardio respiratory background and also a CAD patient you heart function as normal.

Your low BP of 105/60 seems to be a bit low and can be the cause of your dizziness and Dyspnea.

Other contributing factors could be your present meds?

You describe the dizziness as being transient and not occurring continuously.

The fact that you can walk 6 to 7 miles stretches' indicates good Cardio respiratory function.Let us know how you are progressing over the next few weeks.

Take care.

NLGA profile image
NLGA in reply tokyoom

thank you very kind of you to have a look for me your vie is really positive

The dizzy spells are every few days normally as I get up from a chair or like this week in the dentist I kind of had to steady myself and was glad to get to the door to hold on

I am on a Edoxoban , Bisoprolol 15mg and Amiodarine ( I think I may have spelt that a little wrong )

Plus I’m asthmatic

NLGA profile image
NLGA in reply tokyoom

could I ask what you believe my blood pressure would be better at to help with my dizziness

Thank you

kyoom profile image
kyoom

Hello NLGA,

Sorry for the late reply. I had to run to do my morning walk 10,000steps in the snowy ,cold Toronto weather.(minus 13 C.

Back to your question .Regarding the dizzy spells,fatigue,SOB,Dyspenia.

These are all symptoms of Hypotension and Bradycardia.

Possible causes : Side effects of two of the medications that you are presently taking.

Firstly ,the Bisoprolol 15Mg .This medication is a strong Beta Blocker and has the potential for causing some of you symptoms such as :Low BP (the drug is used to treat Hypertension and Tachycardia.)The dose of 15Mg is also on the top of the scale normally we would give a dose of between 2.5 to 10 Mg. This drug can be the reason for your tiredness and SOB.

We can go into more detail if you like.

When I was on the med in 2016-2017 I also had those exact symptoms.

However, I am not sure if you are having any Arrhythmias like AF.hence the reason for this drug.

There is a newer drug in the same class called Nebivolol which has less Beta 2 side effects.

Maybe you could ask to switch you over.

The AMIODARONE :This is an Anti Arrhythmic .It is usually given to restore a normal hearth rhythm and to decrease the heart rate.( The side effects are fatigue, wheezing and sob.

The EDOXOBAN: this is an anti coagulant and is given to decrease the chances of having a stroke by preventing blood clots. T typical side effects are light headed on getting up ,tiredness and SOB.

I am not sure why your doctors are giving you these meds but they are the normal regime for treating cardiac arrhythmias and AF.

I am sorry for my long winded reply. Pleas forgive me if I have over stepped in my answers.

Best of health to you.

NLGA profile image
NLGA in reply tokyoom

good if you to answer in the detail and your spot on I was diagnosed AF in May but was still getting really breathless amd still getting a high heart beat on 10 mg of Bisoprolol so due to struggling to see a cardio doctor my local doctor put me in 15mg. I am kind of stuck in no man’s land between breathing / heart beat

I’m glad the walk went well👍-3 here amd that’s cold enough

kyoom profile image
kyoom

My advise would be to stay on this regime for now until you could see a Cardiologist sooner than later.

Are you taking any meds for your Asthma? You should try a bronchodilator such as Salbutamol to help with the shortness of breath.

Ate you residing in the UK? Why are you having such a difficult time getting to see a specialist.

NLGA profile image
NLGA in reply tokyoom

yes I have salamol and a seritide inhalers . I was discharged in June from hospital returning late September for a 24 heart monitor ( no results yet ) I was marked none urgent I was sent for a CT scan and that was good . I have no answer to why I haven’t seen anyone since I can’t get anyone in the cardio department to even talk to me . My GP emailed them 6 weeks ago and as of last week no reply

I feel lost in the system

mauschen profile image
mauschen in reply toNLGA

Change your GP, phone your local health board and make a formal complaint.

Your results are available, insist on them and insist on a doctor explaining your echo results to you.

The echo results state that you have stabilised therefore, it would suggest that a previous echo exists when you were perhaps very unwell. The doctor reporting the echo is obviously comparing it to a previous report or at least to your admission notes.

You will most likely be sent a review appointment but to be sure, phone The Cardiologist’s secretary and ask for an appointment.

It’s important that you do not listen to other people’s interpretations of your echo results. Your echo is personal to you and should be interpreted by a doctor with access to your medical notes.

If you get into difficulties with breathing and cannot access a GP, phone NHS 24 or equivalent or in the case of serious symptoms, call for emergency services.

NLGA profile image
NLGA

to be honest with my peak flow 650-700 I am not even sure if it is asthma only thst my doctor has said it is for many years but the breathing has only been bad like this since the turn of the year . I was Ill fever like around Christmas but tested negative for covid at the time but I lost 4 days with fever

kyoom profile image
kyoom

That is very unusual. The results of a 24 hours Holter monitor are usually available within a week of the test.

Please keep pushing your GP for getting your referral for you.

Please let me know if you have any further questions.

I am happy to help out.

Cheers

NLGA profile image
NLGA in reply tokyoom

that’s really kind

They claim there is a 12 week wait for results as I was marked non urgent apparently

I just wish I could get in topp of the breathing issue if the heart isn’t to bad the CT scan was fine I can o ly go back to my asthma but why did my pulse race and breathing issues start even before I went to hospital so I can’t blame the Bisoprolol as that was given after the incident of a heart beat of 178 and real breathing issues

I spent 5 days in with a high pulse 3 days it wouldn’t fall down to 125

kyoom profile image
kyoom in reply toNLGA

Wow! That's a super fast Tachycardia HR 178.

The Bisoprolol is a must to control this Arrythymia.The breathing difficulties is due to the bronchospasms induced by an acute asthmatic episode.

A good supplement to take is Magnesium Bi Glycinate 200Mg at bedtime.

NLGA profile image
NLGA in reply tokyoom

thank you I will search that supplement

NLGA profile image
NLGA in reply tokyoom

would you say seritide is ok or should I look for something a bit stronger from the GP

Thanks in advance

kyoom profile image
kyoom in reply toNLGA

Seretide is a "Fixed Dose combination medication. It contains a high potency corticosteroid called Fluticasone and a Broncho Dilator Salmeterol.

This drug is one of the best for controlling your Asthma symptoms.

Taking it via an inhaler with the use of an Aerochamber is the best method of delivery for you. Hope this was helpful.

Let me know if you have any more questions.

NLGA profile image
NLGA in reply tokyoom

just ordered the magnesium thank you

kyoom profile image
kyoom in reply toNLGA

What type of Magnesium did you get.

A normal dose is 200Mg /day .Best 2 hours before bed.

NLGA profile image
NLGA in reply tokyoom

magnesium Glycinate 200mg

There was some stronger mg but I went with your recommendation

kyoom profile image
kyoom in reply toNLGA

Good choice. Anything stronger might give you some bowel problems.

Give it 10 days to build up your blood levels to above 75Mg/dL.It should also help with the AF.

Take care

NLGA profile image
NLGA

does anyone have or possibly had a experience where some days you can close your mouth but not feel restricted at all but on other days you can only just about keep it closed for say 5-10 seconds without a feeling of kind of like suffocating

kyoom profile image
kyoom in reply toNLGA

It sounds like you are having some bronchoconstriction.

When this happens you should take 2 puffs of your Salmeterol 4x/day until the Broncho spasms breaks.

NLGA profile image
NLGA in reply tokyoom

would that set my AF off though

kyoom profile image
kyoom in reply toNLGA

No,it should not cause a tachycardia, however it is always good idea to monitor your pulse and BP pre and post Rx.

It looks like the moderator of this web site is not too happy with my advise to you.

NLGA profile image
NLGA in reply tokyoom

well I thank you for your advise I have had more information from you and others than the nhs since June

NLGA profile image
NLGA in reply tokyoom

wouldn’t worry I appreciate your help and I have my own mind

kyoom profile image
kyoom in reply toNLGA

Anytime.

Hi NLGA , just a reminder that content on HealthUnlocked does not replace the relationship between you and your doctor. Please avoid making any changes to your medication or advising others to do the same, without speaking to a health professional first.

Many thanks!

NLGA profile image
NLGA in reply to

How do you get to talk to a health care cardio professional in the Uk . It’s not easy when they don’t have a number that they answer and have no system where you can leave a message .

Then once you complain to Pals you contact from the cardio department thats voice mail asking you to call another number and when you call it immediately you reach a recording that says this number is no longer in use please do not leave a voicemail mail

NLGA profile image
NLGA

well it’s ad day today breathing seems a bit better well a lot better than Sunday I to Monday I am not sure why it’s like I get a thick cloud in my chest and throat some days then others it reduces to about 10 per cent the thickness

kyoom profile image
kyoom in reply toNLGA

It could be your Asthma acting up.The Bronchospasms can cause that type of symptoms.

Take your meds (Inhaled steroids and the bronchodilator ) It will help.

NLGA profile image
NLGA

blood pressure 133/79 tonight Sunday 105/60 feel good tonight but 133 seems a bit high or is that just me ?

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