Heart Murmur Shortness of Breath

[sparrow]

Good Morning Ladies:

I know this is not a medical board but I wanted to run this by you guys. Here's the situation:

I have a heart murmur. It's come and gone my whole life, from the time I was a kid. Before I left NYC, my GP there sent me to a Cardiologist just to check up on it. It was fine in the sense that it wasn't around anymore. Last February I went to a new GP here in RI. During the exam he said to me, "Do you know you have a pronounced heart murmur?" I said I had always had one that comes and goes. He explained what type it was (not the least serious but not the most serious either). He questioned me more about it and says, "but it's not like you get shortness of breath climbing stairs or anything?" I told him as a matter of fact I have terrible SOB when climbing stairs. He also asked me about heartburn and I said I get it alot when I run. So anyway, he said he was going to request my films from the NY doc and let me know if there was anything else to do. Never heard back on that, though he did have me call in for antibiotics before I had my teeth cleaned again. So I have not been too worried about it. Yesterday my mom calls in panic and says she saw this program that said basically said "Get thee to a Cardiologist" for any shortness of breath. I've just finished googling "shortness of breath" and found that I do have some of the other symptoms of possible heart trouble. Of course this is worrisome BUT, for any of the medically inclined Catheites, doesn't logic dictate that if I can run six+ miles four times a week and feel good doing it that there is nothing wrong with my heart?

Sparrow

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www.scifichics.com

 

[pink_fortitude]

Sparrow, you need to follow up with your doctor, call him immediately. You may be able to run fine now, and your heart may be able to take it now, but do not ignore your symtoms!!!! It can catch up with you. A heart can go into cardiac arrest within a second with no warning, but since you are getting the warnings and symptoms now you must heed them. Your cannot live without your heart, and you are always better safe than sorry. The fact that you were even recommended to a cardiologist tells me that this is not something that you should take lightly.

What are the other symptoms that you are having?

Missy

 

[buffettgirl]

sparrow - If you can run 6+ miles, but going up steps give you SOB, I would bet SOMETHING is not right. I agree that you should follow up with Dr. visit, if only for peace of mind. Good Luck.

 

[Miss Lee]

Sparrow, I agree with Missy and Robin. You should have it checked. A call to your GP is probably a good place to start because s/he should have copies of your records from the cardiologist. I don't think you need to be alarmed or anything like that, but just check it out to be safe. You know what they say...an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure. Now go and report back to us..PRONTO!

Michele

 

[Lanieltd247]

I also have to agree with everyone as well. It's strange, yet it's something to be checked upon and hopefully fixed. I sometimes have this problem where there's a slight sharp pain either in my heart or near it. It's comes and goes as well. My mom told me it's heart burn, but the thing is, almost evertime I have one of these episodes, I hadn't consumed anything for a couple of hours or longer. It's strange. I hope you figure it out and don't worry, keep you're chin up. Most likely it's nothing very serious, especially if you can run all those miles and not be effected at all. Most people ignore their body when they come across such things...so I applaude you for going to the doc and trying to resolve it!:7

 

[rjroubi]

Sparrow,
I have a mitral regurgitation that causes my heart to work a little harder during exercise and I sometimes get a little SOB when I lie flat on the bed (part of my condition). (I too take antibiotics before I go to the dentist.) I've had numerous echocardiograms and visits to two cardiologists (one Cardiologist did not want me to exercise and the other saw absolutely no problem with it). After some research and careful consideration, I decided to follow the second cardiologist's advice and I am doing fine. I even do well with the Imaxes ;-) I may never have a future problem, but I do have to be aware.

Go to a Cardiologist. They will probably recommend an echocardiogram which is really a simple procedure. They can tell you exactly where you stand and where your murmur is coming from. (I believe your mom is right...SOB is never a good sign.) You may have to go back once a year for a check up as I do. Do ask for a copy of your tapes. It is great for peace of mind and second opinions.

HTH,
Robin

 

[rjroubi]

Sparrow,
Did you actually have an echo from your NY doctor? Are those the "films" you are referring to? How long ago was it? The reason I ask is because my cardiologist usually requests one yearly (I guess they want to make sure my mitral valve is still functioning with all the abuse I put it through!).

Robin

 

[sparrow]

Hi All:

And thanks for the replies. Robin, yes my NY doc did an echo about 6years ago now and didn't see anything. The murmur wasn't there. I'm not the type of person who dislikes doctors or is generally stubborn about going but...I can't help thinking that my new doc would have suggested that I go to a cardiologist again? He asked many questions about my SOB, the workouts I do, etc. so he didn't blow it off at all but neither did he refer me to a cardiologist as if it were some big emergency. I don't know why I'm so confused about calling and getting it checked. Partly I feel like I should but partly I feel like my loved ones are making mountains out of molehills here.

The other symptoms I "have" are not anything I would normally associate with heart trouble, except fatigue. They are swollen abdomen, confusion/memory trouble and frequent urination at night. I chalked all those up to old age, LOL.

I know it's silly to say, where health is concerned, but DH and I are both self-employed and don't have great insurance. Unless I am in the throws of a heart attack I doubt they'll cover a visit, so I'd be looking at a couple of grand out of pocket, I'm sure.

Sparrow

__________________
www.scifichics.com

 

[rjroubi]

>I don't know why I'm so confused about calling and getting it checked. Partly I feel like I should but partly I feel like my loved ones are making mountains out >of molehills here.

I hear ya, Sparrow;-) . I got blasted for exercising from family who thought it was in my best interest that I don't. (My condition was only diagnosed 2 years ago. My response was, "I have been exercising all my life and I haven't dropped dead yet." The second cardiologist's opinion really helped .

Yes, the echocardiogram each would have cost me over $2000 without insurance. If I were you, I would call my GP and ask him what he thought given your symptoms and insurance situation. Tell him everything. If he is anything like my doctor, he will take the time and let you know if it was anything that really needed to be taken to the next level. I'm inclined to believe doctor's today are more likely to err on the overcautious side because of the fear of malpractice suits (which may be why my first cardiologist didn't want me to exercise).

Please let us know what you decide and good luck to you!!

Robin

 

[Miss Lee]

Sparrow,

Robin makes a good point. Your doctor should take your circumstances into consideration. Hey, it can't hurt to call. It worries me a bit when I see "shortness of breath" and "fatigue" in the same sentence with "heart murmur". Again, it doesn't necessarily mean that anything is wrong, but trust me, it costs alot more to fix a problem than it does to prevent it in the first place. Now, stop worrying your loved ones!

Michele