Short of breath

[sue943]

I have noticed that recently I am slightly short of breath. Sleeping isn't a problem, I haven't reached the stage of not being able to breathe lying flat. It is nearly 9 months since my surgery. I am still having the slight discomfort which I also had last year, it has been present for the past few months, it was only in the region of my heart but now I sometimes get it in the middle of my chest and my x-rays, from when I had surgery, show what looks to be a valve in about that area.

My surgical notes mentioned some enlargement of the left ventricle and some hypertrophy, does anyone knows if these correct themselves after surgery or will they remain much the same. I wonder if these could be causing some problems.

I will be visiting my excellent GP in the next week or two.

This week I have been working (hurray) but have found it difficult and to be honest, if it is still as difficult after a week or two then I might consider giving up - for that I need my doctor to recommend retirement on health grounds and for two more doctors to agree with him.

If this hypertrophy is going to cause me heart failure, even mildly, then that might be grounds for retirement, and the payment of a Social Security pension.

So what I guess I am asking, is does hypertrophy go away after valve surgery?

 

[Ross]

Sue that's very hard to say. Some peoples go back to the normal size, others do not. All you can do is Have a chest xray or echo and see what the results are. It really depends on how far the disease was allowed to go before intervention and correction.

 

[ALCapshaw2]

There are many possible causes of Shorteness of Breath.

One common one is excess fluid retention. You can check for this by pressing a finger on your lower shin. You should see an indentation after you release your finger. If the indentation persists for several (I don't remember the exact number), that *may* be an indication of excess fluid retention. The remedy is to administer diuretics (Rx) and limit salt intake. Ask your GP about your symptoms.

'AL Capshaw'

 

[Paul117]

could it be SAM?

could it be SAM?

sue
man, this stuff is confusing? All I can add is that my shortness of breath and fatigue was due to the mitral valve prolapsing over the aortic. Did they check for this during an echo? sorry I can't add any more than that

good luck

Paul

 

[sue943]

Don't tell me something might be happening with my posh new valves! I will be visiting my GP, probably next week, and he will have the results of my echo.

 

[geebee]

sue
man, this stuff is confusing? All I can add is that my shortness of breath and fatigue was due to the mitral valve prolapsing over the aortic. Did they check for this during an echo? sorry I can't add any more than that

good luck

Paul

I could be wrong but I don't think SAM can occur with a mechanical valve. I think it happens after valve repairs sometimes but I don't think it happens after mechanical replacements.
Unless, of course, SAM is more of a heart position issue rather than a valve issue. Don't know a great deal about it other than the occasional occurance after valve repair.

 

[M&M]

Hi Sue, I don't know what is happening to you - but I myself went into full heart block right after my open heart surgery and my heart thereafter increased to a larger size than prior to my surgery. I see a chronic heart failure specialist and I see an electrophysiologist. I have alot of things wrong with my electrical system - shortness of breath has always caused me problems over many years. But whether its from to much fluid or my electrical is constantly challenging. I saw where you mentioned you were going to see your GP.

Might I recommend you see a cardiologist or CHF doc. Its just a thought. Your GP knows your overall health - but when it comes to my heart - I see the specialists who have alittle more knowledge on this. Maybe your GP would give you referral. You should not be short of breath and fatigued all the time. I had the same problem. Diuretics helped me to relieve the fluid. There are things to help you. But getting to the right doctor is important. But I'm not a doctor - so please don't be upset by what I say. This is only my situation and may not apply to you at all... But an expert on the heart would surely give you more answers to your SOB and fatigue.
Best of Luck
M&M