New to the site, Please Help

[lyonsm]

Hello all, I am writing on behalf of my mom who is 51 and had her valve replaced in July of 2009. Sorry this may be a bit lengthy but I would appreciate your input.

During my mom's surgery (aortic valve replacement, St. Jude's valve), her diaphragm was paralyzed and she was having breathing problems basically since the surgery. Within the past month or so, she has been short of breath in addition to having heart palpitations at night that have kept her awake and also has had arrhythmia (extra beats). She was hospitalized for a few days to monitor her and since then she has had a T.E.E. which the Doctor said showed the valve is functioning properly and recommended cardiac rehab. He also said the arrhythmia isn't something to worry about. In order to keep the palpitations from being so frequent and strong, she is on Bystolic (beta blocker) which is helping, but her blood pressure has been as low as 100/60 and 45 beats per minute. Has anyone had experience with something like this? Furthermore, we live in Hudson County, New Jersey and would like to possibly seek another opinion. Can someone recommend a doctor in the area for her to see?

Thank you in advance for your help during a stressful time.

 

[Greg a]

WELCOME TO OUR FAMILYI for one had my diaphram damaged during sternectomy flap procedure so I have shortness of breath expecially when walking uphill therefore bent slightly forward BUT cardiac rehab was of tremendous help .........the more opinions you get the better

 

[Duffey]

I can't recommend another cardiologist, but I think it is an appropriate course of action to seek one out. Hopefully someone else will have a suggestion for one near you.
If the TEE shows the valve is functioning properly, then other conditions need to be considered to explain her worsening shortness of breath.
Best of luck and welcome to VR. I wish it were under happier circumstances, but it never is!

 

[Superbob]

Welcome to the forum!

Is your mom still having shortness of breath, or is your main concern now her blood pressure? If she's still short of breath, I would ask the docs about that promptly.

However, as for bp, it is my experience that 100/60 isn't terribly low. I regularly have lower readings than that, and my doctors say that is good because it helps protect my VR device. I take meds that are intended to keep bp low. Of course, if bp gets too low, it can make you light-headed or even feel faint. BP readings fluctuate a good deal, of course, during the course of any day -- did the doc say what a desirable range is for her? It could be that her meds are lowering bp, which in turn is giving her a light-headed sensation that she interprets as being short of breath. This is just my non-medical speculation --- by all means, ask the doctor (or one you may seek out for a second opinion) about any concern. That is why we pay them. All best wishes....

 

[ALCapshaw2]

Sorry to hear about your mom's diaphram complication from her surgery.

Do you know what kind of arrhythmia's she is having?
There are different drugs which can target different types of arrhythmias.
Beta Blockers are known to make patients feel lethargic in higher doses.

My Cardio believes in using the Lowest Dose of medication that helps to control symptoms.
He will cut a dose in half for 2 weeks to see how that works, then cut in half again if it is still working and side effects were reduced. You might want to discuss that option with your Cardio.

Hope your mom is able to get some improvement (and Yes, a second opinion is often a good idea!)

'AL Capshaw'

 

[Michelle D]

My blood pressure is 90/60 that was before and after surgery. It has gone even lower when I was in really bad shaped but her blood pressure isn't a concern. I have had arrythmias, still do, some are completely harmless and some are of concern but if she was in the hospital for three days and they didn't mention anything about them they were probably benign but maybe you should find out what kind they were for peace of mind. Sometimes heart rate readings will be low with a particular type of arrythmia. I have PVC's and so it feels like a missed beat so those don't get counted in my heart rate.

 

[TXWildflower]

I too have a low heart rate - as low as 45 during the night per my holter report. Just normal resting about 57. I was on beta blockers for a short time, but they took me off because it was causing multiple light headed symptoms. I did not have low blood pressure though - at least not that they mentioned.. I have yet to have my surgery though.

I didn't realize there could be diaphragm complications from OHS - just one more thing to worry about!

Also a big welcome to the forum.

 

[Lily]

I have no advice but this post will bump your thread back up to the top of the list so possibly the NJ members might see it. Sorry for what your mother and you are going through; hoping things get better soon.