Confuzzled!?!

[tobagotwo]

The aorta first aims upward (ascending), then bends over (aortic arch), then proceeds downward through the chest (descending). Coarctation of the aorta is effectively when the aorta is formed in a way that it has a pinched place, frequently at the far (distal) end of the arch or in the beginning (proximal) part of the descending aorta, obstructing the normal flow of blood. The "dimple" he was referring to is likely just a minor indentation in the descending aorta that was not corrected by the surgery. His apparent lack of concern with it would indicate that he also sees it as harmless, or at least not actionable. They always note everything they see, to show that they have been thorough, and just in case it turns out to have meaning later, in the context of other findings.

As far as the double-sided cath: it's quite reasonable to do one to research PH. However, I still stick with my suspicion about the echo tech's judgement being off. Apparently, it was off for both the valvular regurgitation and the PH, from the cath results. I think the double-sided heart cath might have been avoided by a second echo - done by a different tech - which might have shown very different results. Also, the second tech should not see the results of previous echoes, as it tends to taint their numbers. They anticipate the diagnosis and the results.

I might even wonder if the results might have been crossed with someone else's. I had an emergency CAT scan for suspected lung cancer once because of an X-ray physician's right-hand-left-hand mixup of two X-rays.

At least you're sure of where you stand with the PH and aortic regurgitation - you don't have them. Even if you don't know what you do have, it's better than knowing you have a condition that will deteriorate to eventually be life-threatening.

Best wishes,

 

[Karen]

my echo report?

my echo report?

Bob, I hadn't even thought that the echo report might not be mine. But as I think about it, the aortic valve opening was exactly the same as the one in April (1.6 cm2) and both showed a slightly enlarged right atrium.

Now, that's an interesting thought. Why would there be slight atrial enlargement without PH? I thought that was part of THAT package.

Other "indications" on the echo report include bicuspid aortic valve, coarctation repair, and PH, so I think it IS my report.

I actually thought the technician who did my last echo would have been the more competent of the two. He joined this clinic just a month earlier because he had moved to the area. Before that he was the lead tech at a major hospital in Salt Lake City. The tech that did the echo in April was much younger -- not nearly as many echos on her resume... So Dawn isn't the only one who is "confuzzled."

I guess I wouldn't be surprised if the regurgitation and even PH numbers show up again on future echos. But I'm not going to worry about it now. The arthritis stuff is tricky. 'Hard to distinguish between those "symptoms" and genuine SOB, especially when you toss in a small dose of anxiety. So the numbers on these tests ARE important to me. The heart cath was a good thing for me AND for my cardio.

Thanks for the response on the "dimple."
Karen

 

[dmoses1]

. . . I think the double-sided heart cath might have been avoided by a second echo - done by a different tech - which might have shown very different results. Also, the second tech should not see the results of previous echoes, as it tends to taint their numbers. They anticipate the diagnosis and the results. . .

So that's why the cardiologist had me do two echos, one week apart.

 

[dmoses1]

Anxiety?!?-@$~&

Anxiety?!?-@$~&

. . . Hard to distinguish between those "symptoms" and genuine SOB, especially when you toss in a small dose of anxiety. . . . /QUOTE]

HMMMM! About the anxiety . . . Could it be possible to have anxiety for a purely legitimate reason? I mean, I've been experiencing these symptoms for some years (they're just getting worse, now); and, I admit to being concerned even to the point of worry and anxiety.

But . . . isn't that logical? Doesn't it make sense to be concerned about troubling symptoms? Couldn't it be a naturally occuring process of the body (like pain) to warn of impending danger, rather than just a screwed up psyche.

A "feeling of impending doom" is listed as a symptom of heart attack.

Instead, doctors have suggested, in my case (for years), that because I was anxious and concerned about what was going on with my body--I had chronic anxiety.

HMMMMMMM!!!!! Funny, medication I took for anxiety never did anything for the physical symptoms I was experiencing (but, they never had a valid explanation for that).

Once, I participated in an anxiety study (convinced that was the problem); and the nurse explained to me that the SOB, fatigue and irregular heartbeat I was experiencing (recorded on the EKG) was a result of anxiety (but remember, the medication did not relieve any of the physical symptoms--just made me not give a d--- about them or anything else 'cause I was sooooo high ]).

I would like to be a billboard for the "screwly diagnosed!!!"

 

[tobagotwo]

Anxiety, even to the point of feelings of impending doom, is listed as one of the symptoms of heart problems. Be sure not to let them reverse cause and effect. Palpitations and SOB cause anxiety when there's a physical reason for it, such as your heart problems. Anxiety causes SOB and palpitations when there isn't a physical reason for it.

One pet theory of mine is that it may be from the subtle deterioration of your brain's oxygen supply. Think of the anxiety you would get as a child when you stayed just a few seconds too long under water. You weren't anywhere near in danger of suffocating or drowning yet, but you felt the rush of fear from it anyway.

And of course it's normal to be anxious about symptoms coming from your heart, which you know has trouble. It would be abnormal not to ever consider it with concern.

Don't let a nurse (or a doctor) talk you into believing that your symptoms are caused by you being a "worrier," or they will fail to take those symptoms seriously when you need them to. You have a heart condition that is likely to be appropriate to those symptoms. They should not be treated lightly, and neither should you. Don't let them label you as a Nervous Nellie.

Meanwhile, the best thing I know to do for anxiety is to divert your attention to something else, and get your mind occupied. It works on 3-year-olds, too. I guess some parts of us never really do grow up.

Best wishes,