Anyone else have heart problems and trying to lose weight?
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DietVanillaCoke wrote: »I have two damaged valves, and have had since I was 4 years old and developed Rheumatic fever.
I also have a genetic mutation which increases my chances of developing blood clots combined with a high homocysteine level which increases my chances of heart disease.
I go for a series of heart tests every few years.
Do you have Leiden factor V? I just found out I have that, which is my main reason for losing weight =(. Do you need to take blood thinners before long flights? I've been told I may need to consider it the next time I do a 8hour+ flight. I'm also getting small bruises in the same place on my arms every few weeks, I'm sure it's the anemia though but i keep panicking thinking i have a blood clot.
I've had an issue with heart palpitations for awhile now, but that was linked to my anemia. I have an issue with irregular heart beats once in a while too but it comes and goes. I've just been walking to lose weight and it's been working fine since I focus on reducing calories in the kitchen. When I get a little lighter and once I get the all clear from a specialist, I plan to start lifting heavy. I've already started planning out what to buy and where to put it.
My GP is baffled by some of the crazy things my body has been doing so I'm booked to see a cardiologist in April. Have a few other weird things that I'm slowly sorting out. Hopefully weight loss will ease the symptoms.
No ... I have MTHFR with a high homocysteine level.
And yes, I need to do Clexane injections when I fly ... 12 hours before the flight, right before the flight, in the middle of the flight if it is a long one (like between Australia and Canada), when the flight is over, and 12 hours later. Fortunately my husband is OK with giving me the injections because I'm a little squeamish about it. And Clexane really knocks me around ... no energy, zombie-like ... so when we fly, we have to plan for a day or two where I'm not going to do much and just recover.
In 2009, I flew to Australia on what was the longest flight in the world at that time ... LA to Melbourne. We were in the air 17 hours, but on the ground an hour before takeoff and on the ground for an hour before they'd let us off the plane in Melbourne. About an hour before we landed, it felt like my left calf cramped ... and I figured I'd just walk it off.
6 weeks later, I was struggling to walk and breathe and more or less dragging my aching left leg around with me like it was a tree limb and not part of me ... and still figuring I'd just walk it off. Then one day, I was sitting in the bath with my feet up on the end, and noticed that my left leg was twice the size of the right! The next day I walked out to meet my husband after work like I usually did, and collapsed on the way out there. I couldn't walk 2 km. He found me sitting by the path gasping for breath. The next day I was trying to sweep the floor at home and struggling so much with any little movement when he burst through the door, demanded I get into the van, and drove me to the doctor. The doctor rushed me into ultrasound at the hospital, and the ultrasound tech wouldn't let me leave the hospital.
My left leg was chalk full of clots. The main veins were completely clogged.
I was in hospital for 2 weeks, and then on Warfarin for a year. It was during that time that I went through lots of tests and they discovered the MTHFR. The high homocysteine level was a particular worry given my damaged heart valves.
Now, I'm on MegaFol every day, and I must get up at least once and hour to walk, and if I'm going to be standing or sitting for a long time, I've got to wear compression stockings, and of course, the Clexane with flights.
It took me a couple years after that to gain back my fitness and that whole experience contributed to some of my weight gain.
At my heaviest, I was having some weird heart things going on and actually had an angiogram, but fortunately everything was all clear there. It's just my usual heart murmur and irregularities.
Wow! Your extremely lucky you didn't get a pulmonary embolism!! Whenever I get admitted into the hospital I have to have lovenox injections as precaution and if I travel long distance I have to stand, walk and stretch every 2 hours for 15 min. As I mentioned before they "think" my DVT was from a infiltrated IV but to be on the safe side I have to take precautions.
My Dr tells me I was very, very lucky ... they actually thought it had progressed to that for a while and ran several Doppler ultrasounds, but I was OK in that regard.
On planes I need to take an aisle seat, and then I spend a good portion of the flight pacing the aisles. Even on car trips we need to stop quite frequently so I can walk around a bit. And since I've got a desk job, I get up and do laps around the office or climb stairs ... which I need to do in a moment!
However, this genetic mutation means that I cannot take hormone replacement which is making perimenopause interesting. And they're very reluctant to do any sort of major surgery on me at all ... they keep thinking about doing a hysterectomy because of some other issues, but they don't want to because of my clotting issues.0 -
So crazy because I'm in the same boat!! I have crohns also and in the beginning of last year my heart started feeling weird, could (still can) feel my pulse all over and it feels as if it skips a beat and crazy vibrations. It is so life altering!! Cardio did a stress test and monitor (only a 24 hour monitor) in the beginning and everything was good so they didn't pursue it any further! My dr actually asked the last time i went "what else would you like me to do for you" ahh fix me!! Almost a year later and it is still going on. I think they look at my age of 27 and think oh it cant be anything serious. I've wondered if it could be related to my crohns. Just not sure how! But I'm also hoping weight loss and healthy eating will help!! Started this week! Adding you 0
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I hope everyone in this thread gets well. Reading some of the stories kind of freaked me out, seeing what you guys have to go through.0
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omakase619 wrote: »I hope everyone in this thread gets well. Reading some of the stories kind of freaked me out, seeing what you guys have to go through.
Thanks but ... I will never get well.
I'll always have damaged valves and have been told that they may deteriorate to the point where I need valve replacement surgery. Who knows, maybe that would improve things. There is some suggestion that these valves cause me to struggle with fatigue from time to time.
And I'll always have my genetic mutation which causes blood clots.
However, I'm coping well with it all. Losing weight and exercising lots definitely helps. Plus I use other precautionary techniques as needed. 0 -
So crazy because I'm in the same boat!! I have crohns also and in the beginning of last year my heart started feeling weird, could (still can) feel my pulse all over and it feels as if it skips a beat and crazy vibrations. It is so life altering!! Cardio did a stress test and monitor (only a 24 hour monitor) in the beginning and everything was good so they didn't pursue it any further! My dr actually asked the last time i went "what else would you like me to do for you" ahh fix me!! Almost a year later and it is still going on. I think they look at my age of 27 and think oh it cant be anything serious. I've wondered if it could be related to my crohns. Just not sure how! But I'm also hoping weight loss and healthy eating will help!! Started this week! Adding you
Sometimes I feel like Crohns has messed my heart up. But who knows. Sometimes I feel like doctors really don't know either.
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I have a acquaintance that had valve replacement at only 38 or 40 years old. She actually had two the first set did not work properly and within a month had to go back in and her 2nd was done with pig valves, they have been working out great for her now for the past 10 years. She still has to do regular checkups, exercise everyday, and control her weight. So never get discouraged.0
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Update with me. I had 2 pretty bad episodes of palpitations lasting 1 minute and the other lasting 5 min. Doctor called my insurance and demanded a EP study needs to be done. They approved, so I go in for my EP study this Tuesday the 7th at 11am. I will also be having an ablation at that time.2
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Thanks for updating & sending you positive thoughts on the 7th! (((hugs)))1
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I had WPW(Wolfe Parkinson White) that was corrected with an ablation about 2 years ago, however, I still get stress induced palpitations, which are completely normal. Prior to my ablation I used to get episodes where my heart rate would be well into the 200's for minutes at a time.......very scary stuff.
That's odd that your insurance won't pay for an ablation. I was 29 when I had mine done and it was purely optional on my part. I was told the ablation was the best way to "cure" myself and live a normal life. It was a no-brainer for me because the stress of constantly worrying about having an "episode" just set off additional stress and constant palpitations. I haven't had any issues at all since my surgery. I wish you the best of luck!!3 -
Everything went great! I'm pretty sore but will be better than ever by next week!4
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Glad to hear it!0
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Here are the results of my echocardiogram last week:
I had the echo after my two week monitor showed heartrate of up to 187. I've asked for the times from that to see if they correspond to activity - normally I experience flutters at rest but it's possible I get them when active and just am not aware of it. I have times because I log my exercise here, and have a FitBit, which wants times.
Anyone have comments on enlarged atriums NOT related to high blood pressure? (My blood pressure tends to be low - was 107 / 58 last week.)
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kshama2001 wrote: »Here are the results of my echocardiogram last week:
I had the echo after my two week monitor showed heartrate of up to 187. I've asked for the times from that to see if they correspond to activity - normally I experience flutters at rest but it's possible I get them when active and just am not aware of it. I have times because I log my exercise here, and have a FitBit, which wants times.
Anyone have comments on enlarged atriums NOT related to high blood pressure? (My blood pressure tends to be low - was 107 / 58 last week.)
I dont know about enlarged atriums but I have MVP/MVR and lately my blood pressure has been really low Im talking like 96/58. but I have no dizziness or other symptoms from being low.the dr said we will just have to keep an eye on it.0 -
kshama2001 wrote: »Here are the results of my echocardiogram last week:
I had the echo after my two week monitor showed heartrate of up to 187. I've asked for the times from that to see if they correspond to activity - normally I experience flutters at rest but it's possible I get them when active and just am not aware of it. I have times because I log my exercise here, and have a FitBit, which wants times.
Anyone have comments on enlarged atriums NOT related to high blood pressure? (My blood pressure tends to be low - was 107 / 58 last week.)
There are many things that cause enlarged atria in ranging from valve disfunction to obstructive sleep apnea. You need to talk to a cardiologist about your echo, not internet people.
Don't stress. See the doctor.
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kshama2001 wrote: »Here are the results of my echocardiogram last week:
I had the echo after my two week monitor showed heartrate of up to 187. I've asked for the times from that to see if they correspond to activity - normally I experience flutters at rest but it's possible I get them when active and just am not aware of it. I have times because I log my exercise here, and have a FitBit, which wants times.
Anyone have comments on enlarged atriums NOT related to high blood pressure? (My blood pressure tends to be low - was 107 / 58 last week.)
I would definitely follow up with a cardiologist. But I will say I've had ecg's and a echo that showed I had enlargement of the left atrium and it ended up being nothing. They did a repeat echo a couple weeks later and it was 100% normal. They told me stress can actually cause this and since it went back to normal they assumed that's what it was. As far as the right atrium being enlarged that can have many causes some being minor some being more serious. A follow up with a cardiologist is warranted. But in the meantime I wouldn't stress it.
I've learned over the years of yearly echo's that you get mixed results. I really think it boils down to the radiologist who reads it. Just remember human error and nothing is ever 100%.
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I have hypertension, palpitations, and regurgitation in my heart that I'm getting ready to see a cardiologist about.
I've known I needed to lose weight for a while but now with the new information about my heart, I think I better get my butt in gear. Feel free to add me!0 -
kshama2001 wrote: »Here are the results of my echocardiogram last week:
I had the echo after my two week monitor showed heartrate of up to 187. I've asked for the times from that to see if they correspond to activity - normally I experience flutters at rest but it's possible I get them when active and just am not aware of it. I have times because I log my exercise here, and have a FitBit, which wants times.
Anyone have comments on enlarged atriums NOT related to high blood pressure? (My blood pressure tends to be low - was 107 / 58 last week.)
There are many things that cause enlarged atria in ranging from valve disfunction to obstructive sleep apnea. You need to talk to a cardiologist about your echo, not internet people.
Don't stress. See the doctor.
Yes, as you can see in my screenshot, my doctor has referred me to Cardiology. I have an appt Friday. Was just curious about others' experience.
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I often wake up at 4 AM. My two week heart monitor report showed a lot of spikes at around 6 AM, which is the time that I am getting or have gotten back to sleep. (I get up for the day at 8:15.) Will discuss this with the cardiologist Friday, but am throwing it out there in case anyone is familiar with this.0 -
kshama2001 wrote: »Here are the results of my echocardiogram last week:
I had the echo after my two week monitor showed heartrate of up to 187. I've asked for the times from that to see if they correspond to activity - normally I experience flutters at rest but it's possible I get them when active and just am not aware of it. I have times because I log my exercise here, and have a FitBit, which wants times.
Anyone have comments on enlarged atriums NOT related to high blood pressure? (My blood pressure tends to be low - was 107 / 58 last week.)
I would definitely follow up with a cardiologist. But I will say I've had ecg's and a echo that showed I had enlargement of the left atrium and it ended up being nothing. They did a repeat echo a couple weeks later and it was 100% normal. They told me stress can actually cause this and since it went back to normal they assumed that's what it was. As far as the right atrium being enlarged that can have many causes some being minor some being more serious. A follow up with a cardiologist is warranted. But in the meantime I wouldn't stress it.
I've learned over the years of yearly echo's that you get mixed results. I really think it boils down to the radiologist who reads it. Just remember human error and nothing is ever 100%.
Interesting, thanks for sharing.0 -
I have a MVP, murmur, AVNRT, dysautonomia and ventricular tachycardia and missed beats. So yeah. I still do cardio though because it's really good for the heart. What I do is the recumbent bike. The more I do, the better I feel. I have other non heart related problems as well [hypertension, fibromyalgia, etc] but the worst I've ever felt physically was when I was completely sedentary.
I also get echo's and ekg's and I have a loop recorder implanted in my chest.0 -
I had WPW(Wolfe Parkinson White) that was corrected with an ablation about 2 years ago, however, I still get stress induced palpitations, which are completely normal. Prior to my ablation I used to get episodes where my heart rate would be well into the 200's for minutes at a time.......very scary stuff.
That's odd that your insurance won't pay for an ablation. I was 29 when I had mine done and it was purely optional on my part. I was told the ablation was the best way to "cure" myself and live a normal life. It was a no-brainer for me because the stress of constantly worrying about having an "episode" just set off additional stress and constant palpitations. I haven't had any issues at all since my surgery. I wish you the best of luck!!
I have an ablation too fo AVNRT. It did not work as well as it could have. All the EP doc said he could do was burn enough of my pathway that my hr couldnt go above 280 bpm. He said if I had more ablation I'd end up with a pacemaker. And sometimes ablations take 2-3 rounds. But it's great it worked for you 1
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