left arm/chest reddens on exertion

[Heidi511]

Has anyone ever had this happen? I do water aerobics and once I get about 15 minutes into it, my left arm turns bright red and my chest flushes. The lifeguard was the first to notice it. When it happens, I slow down, and it takes the rest of the class for it to dissipate. I've asked the doc and he said it was nothing to worry about. Hmmm. (6 years post avr)

 

[Ross]

I have to say, this is a first for me.

 

[Maryka]

Don't you hate it when doctors say that: "Don't worry about it!" It obviouslyhas something to do with your AVR which is delivering more blood to one area that another. I hope this statement was made by your regular doctor, not your cariologist. A cardiologist should explain the phenomenon to you, at least. If it were me, I would call the Nurse Practitioner at my Cardiac Surgeon and ask her.

 

[nngbwh]

A cardiologist should explain the phenomenon to you, at least. If it were me, I would call the Nurse Practitioner at my Cardiac Surgeon and ask her.

You should maybe call your cardiologist just to make sure you're O.K.

PS: Welcome aboard !!!!!!!!!!

 

[Nancy]

Do you have a pacemaker? And is it on that side? Does it get red at any other time in addition to swimming? Did you have any vascular work done in that area during your heart valve surgery or during the pacemaker implantation?

Maybe the movement during water aerobics is irritating the pacemaker pocket. Or maybe more blood is moving into your arm during the exercise and somehow can't circulate properly back yo where it needs to go. Does it swell at all?.

I think you should ask your doctor to rethink his investigation of this problem. Maybe it is nothing, or maybe it is something. But until you have a definite answer, you won't know which it is.

If your cardiologist won't help you, then see your Internist and/or a vascular doctor.

Something is going on. You need answers, not the big brush-off.

 

[Guest]

I am 10 weeks post-op and hoping to return to water aerobics very soon. I will let you know if I have any strange happenings!

Pat