Enlarged Heart
Discussion
daz3210 said:
Update, and a question.....
The Nurse Practitioner prescribed Ramipril to reduce my blood pressure. 6 days in, my blood pressures have risen from 136/88 to 174/106 at same time of day and as near same conditions as I can get.
Is this normal?
No.It's obviously not a good reading.The Nurse Practitioner prescribed Ramipril to reduce my blood pressure. 6 days in, my blood pressures have risen from 136/88 to 174/106 at same time of day and as near same conditions as I can get.
Is this normal?
Try and calm down a bit before you do the test.Sit down.Don't talk.Think pleasant things...
Nope, no diagnosis, got to wait another week for the ECG result. But I guess if it was owt to worry about they would be in touch sooner.
Don't think it would be white coat effect, what I have done is got a blood pressure monitor, first thing I do when I wake up is reach down the side of the bed and do a reading. So, not really moved from waking.
Also, last thing at night, I try to sit for 30 mins and do nothing and then take a reading.
Readings are rising not falling.
Don't think it would be white coat effect, what I have done is got a blood pressure monitor, first thing I do when I wake up is reach down the side of the bed and do a reading. So, not really moved from waking.
Also, last thing at night, I try to sit for 30 mins and do nothing and then take a reading.
Readings are rising not falling.
I suggested a while back that you might throttle back on pushing yourself at the gym until you know exactly what's going on. It might be an innocent thing, it might be something that requires investigation.
In my own case my GP dismissed me as having a 'dicky heart' - it turned out to be a bit more serious. So don't rely on your local nurse or GP.
In my own case my GP dismissed me as having a 'dicky heart' - it turned out to be a bit more serious. So don't rely on your local nurse or GP.
NDA said:
I suggested a while back that you might throttle back on pushing yourself at the gym until you know exactly what's going on. It might be an innocent thing, it might be something that requires investigation.
In my own case my GP dismissed me as having a 'dicky heart' - it turned out to be a bit more serious. So don't rely on your local nurse or GP.
mmmmm...........In my own case my GP dismissed me as having a 'dicky heart' - it turned out to be a bit more serious. So don't rely on your local nurse or GP.
I'm torn between two people though now.
GP says he has a special interest in cardiac matters, and has said continue with the gym, but if any discomfort stop and seek help, at least until the ECG comes back.
May I ask what they found NDA?
I think you're wasting your time constantly taking your own readings, you will unconsciously be stressing about this causing your readings to be artificially high no matter how relaxed you think you are.
I fell into this trap and got some rediculously high (and innacurate) readings. Ended up having the 24hr machine on me and the true reading was a lot lower although still at the in need of treament level.
I fell into this trap and got some rediculously high (and innacurate) readings. Ended up having the 24hr machine on me and the true reading was a lot lower although still at the in need of treament level.
Cupramax said:
I think you're wasting your time constantly taking your own readings, you will unconsciously be stressing about this causing your readings to be artificially high no matter how relaxed you think you are.
I fell into this trap and got some rediculously high (and innacurate) readings. Ended up having the 24hr machine on me and the true reading was a lot lower although still at the in need of treament level.
What is the in need of treatment level though?I fell into this trap and got some rediculously high (and innacurate) readings. Ended up having the 24hr machine on me and the true reading was a lot lower although still at the in need of treament level.
Cupramax said:
140/90 is generally the threshold for drug treament, below that lifestyle changes can be sufficient to achieve a safe level but everyone is different.
Well for years I have fluctuated between sort of 135 and 150 on the top and 80 and 95 on the bottom.I can't understand why the sudden jump. Lifestyle has reamined pretty much the same EXCEPT from January I have been hammering the gym, taking Sunday Morning walks (like up to ten miles) etc.
And to think, I was planning on doing a charity Three Peaks Walk in June. Guess thats gone out the window now then!
Blood pressure is generally higher in the morning (when a lot of heart attacks and nose bleeds occur) so if you're comparing before and after bed reading there will be a discrepancy. Also, I have often received 999 calls when people have taken their own bp and it's very high, only to be be near enough normal when the ambulance service take it.
Stop stressing about your blood pressure, it's not helping.
Stop stressing about your blood pressure, it's not helping.
daz3210 said:
mmmmm...........
I'm torn between two people though now.
GP says he has a special interest in cardiac matters, and has said continue with the gym, but if any discomfort stop and seek help, at least until the ECG comes back.
May I ask what they found NDA?
I'm sure your GP is excellent and does indeed have a special interest. However seeing a cardiologist would enable you to have a precise diagnosis and clinical definition of your condition. An 'enlarged heart' is too vague at this point. As some have noted here, it could be because you have an excellent and muscular heart, as I've noted it could be something else. I'm torn between two people though now.
GP says he has a special interest in cardiac matters, and has said continue with the gym, but if any discomfort stop and seek help, at least until the ECG comes back.
May I ask what they found NDA?
In my case it was (is) dilated cardiomyopathy. I was told to avoid the gym. The medication suppresses the heart from beating fast, therefore organs calling for more oxygen doesn't won't be given any (I'm not sure if I've described this well).
Everyone here means well..... But we don't know what it is you have other than a moderately vague definition from your GP. If it were me, I'd want to know exactly what condition it was.
Pickled Piper said:
Keep in mind that certain foods, caffeine and stimulants can push up your BP. The fact you are worrying is also driving it up further.
pp
I don't suppose you can give any pointers on the foods? I know salt is a problem but anything else?pp
I did read somewhere that there are also other foods that have the opposite (tomato?????)
OK. Update again.
Saw the Doctor this morning, he has told me to stop the Ramipril immediately. Apparantly in a small number of people ramipril can raise blood pressure due to something in the kidneys, and can subsequently cause kidney failure!
Also he is referring me for an Echocardiagram and Kidney Scan.
With the echocardiagram, does that mean I will get to see a proper cardiologist? Or is that another stage on?
Doc has told me he (also) works in the cardiology department at Pinderfields Hospital, so that sets my mind at rest a bit. He obviously has some idea what he is on about I guess.
Saw the Doctor this morning, he has told me to stop the Ramipril immediately. Apparantly in a small number of people ramipril can raise blood pressure due to something in the kidneys, and can subsequently cause kidney failure!
Also he is referring me for an Echocardiagram and Kidney Scan.
With the echocardiagram, does that mean I will get to see a proper cardiologist? Or is that another stage on?
Doc has told me he (also) works in the cardiology department at Pinderfields Hospital, so that sets my mind at rest a bit. He obviously has some idea what he is on about I guess.
daz3210 said:
OK. Update again.
Saw the Doctor this morning, he has told me to stop the Ramipril immediately. Apparantly in a small number of people ramipril can raise blood pressure due to something in the kidneys, and can subsequently cause kidney failure!
Also he is referring me for an Echocardiagram and Kidney Scan.
With the echocardiagram, does that mean I will get to see a proper cardiologist? Or is that another stage on?
Doc has told me he (also) works in the cardiology department at Pinderfields Hospital, so that sets my mind at rest a bit. He obviously has some idea what he is on about I guess.
The ECG will be operated by a sonographer (or equivalent) not a cardiologist. The results will probably be interpreted by a cardiologist and then sent back to your GP for discussion with you. Saw the Doctor this morning, he has told me to stop the Ramipril immediately. Apparantly in a small number of people ramipril can raise blood pressure due to something in the kidneys, and can subsequently cause kidney failure!
Also he is referring me for an Echocardiagram and Kidney Scan.
With the echocardiagram, does that mean I will get to see a proper cardiologist? Or is that another stage on?
Doc has told me he (also) works in the cardiology department at Pinderfields Hospital, so that sets my mind at rest a bit. He obviously has some idea what he is on about I guess.
It would have been better to have been referred to a cardiologist, however, at least it's under investigation and you'll have a proper diagnosis soon. Please update us, it's a subject I'm interested in.
Its not an ECG that I am being sent for, that has already been done.
This the doctor described as being like an ultrasound that the do for babies in a pregnant lady but on my heart.
He said hopefully it will be done in the department where he works then he can pull the result to get it reported quicker.
This the doctor described as being like an ultrasound that the do for babies in a pregnant lady but on my heart.
He said hopefully it will be done in the department where he works then he can pull the result to get it reported quicker.
daz3210 said:
I don't suppose you can give any pointers on the foods? I know salt is a problem but anything else?
I did read somewhere that there are also other foods that have the opposite (tomato?????)
Salt is bad. I read green veg, avacado, broccoli are good. Eat fresh fruit and veg - Don't eat processed foods. Cut out coffee. Try some green tea.I did read somewhere that there are also other foods that have the opposite (tomato?????)
I've been in a similar position to you. My BP was being sent sky high by anxiety at the prospect that I may have a heart problem. Researching stuff on the net only made things worse. It turned out to be a false alarm (Chest muscle strain from too much swimming). I can tell from the tone and frequency of your posts that you are very anxious. Try and relax, try some relaxation exercises, yoga etc. Stop looking up stuff on the net. It's only raising your BP further. It sounds like your GP has a handle on things. Let him/her do their job.
Breathe deeply and slowly.
pp
daz3210 said:
Its not an ECG that I am being sent for, that has already been done.
This the doctor described as being like an ultrasound that the do for babies in a pregnant lady but on my heart.
He said hopefully it will be done in the department where he works then he can pull the result to get it reported quicker.
An ECG is an EchoCardioGram..... Ultrasound. This the doctor described as being like an ultrasound that the do for babies in a pregnant lady but on my heart.
He said hopefully it will be done in the department where he works then he can pull the result to get it reported quicker.
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