My resp nurse was saying that some of my attacks could be heart related and was wondering what he meant by this.... anyone got any ideas what he could mean?
I lookedo nline and found heart failure but the amount of chest x-rays Ive had would of thought some fluild would of shown up...
Are they planning to do, or have they done, any heart tests? Seems like they ought to investigate if they're going to say that!
In a totally different situation from you and not had the attacks let alone severe ones but have had heart investigations which so far have all been normal, and had them mainly because resp cons was slightly worried about how high my resting HR was and how much higher it got after just a bit of exertion. She felt she couldn't ignore it and referred me to cardiology, and I do get palpitations/skipped beats/fast HR a lot, but as my GP pointed out this is going to happen if you struggle for breath, heart is going to speed up a lot etc. Imagine this would definitely apply in a severe attack so perhaps it could get confused with heart issues?
No idea if this is relevant or helpful but maybe if they're not planning to do heart tests you could ask for them anyway (echo?) then at least you'll know.
He said that i needed to speak to consultant but was suprised when said I hadn't had an echo. Had ECG's both at rest and in middle of attack and same with x-rays but never a CT nor echo. I do know they have noted my fast heart rate even when not related to salbutamol usage and I noticed once in ambulance my BP was coming up slighly different on each arm (paramedic's didn;t notice but arm was changed as cuff blew off arm).
Seeing consultant in a month and have a list of things I want to be looked into!
I'm not sure that it's worth getting into that comment too deeply on your own. It's the sort of thing that people sometimes 'just say'. I would agree that it's worth discussing it with your consultant, but I don't think it's worth getting google fever over it!
Having said that, lots of cardiac conditions can cause shortness of breath...
I'm surprised that you haven't had a CT or echo, especially as you're under a tertiary referral centre. I had both of those as part of the Difficult Asthma Protocol (DAP) at the Brompton. Given the number of people that come away from the DAP with a different or additional diagnosis, it seems to work!
Speak to your consultant/doctor. I was sent for CT scan on my heart by my asthma specialist I found out I have a murmur. My GP's never diagnosised this in all the years I was with them. Whenever i am asked if i have a heart condiion i have to state it. I don't know if its coincidental or part of asthma.
Gill
That is a really scary thing to slip into conversation! Can you ring/email him to clarify to save you worrying until your next consultant appointment?
Like Wishes I am really surprised you haven't had a CT or Echo already. I would have thought they would be standard in 'difficult asthma clinics' to exclude other things.
Take care Bryony
I think part of it was my local assumed my cons done it and visa versa!
I have my list of things to ask about next consultants visit and next nurse which is tuesday.
Asthma & heart rate
Is there a firm way to distinguish sinus issues from asthma symptoms
Consultant doesn't believe my diagnosis 
