I think I had a heart attack

[LilAlex]

I was asking myself on Monday why I haven’t been following and doing everything I use to do when I’m not depressed, just lethargic, exhausted and existing at a low level of functioning.

So sorry to hear about all of this and I'm glad you are getting excellent care. This is not medical advice but know that in similar situations cardiologists often use "goal-directed care" that includes a large number of medications that have been individually shown to benefit a suboptimally-functioning heart. Most of these meds tend to reduce blood pressure and it is not always clear when the blood pressure reduction is good vs. a little too good. Signs that the blood pressure is too low include worse kidney function, extreme fatigue, trouble thinking, and dizziness upon standing. These can also be signs of poor heart function, which can in of itself cause the low BP, so it's important to discriminate among these -- and that can be accomplished by reducing the meds temporarily and allowing the BP to drift up a bit.

 

[seaurchin]

Hope you feel better soon, whitewave.

 

[whitewave]

So sorry to hear about all of this and I'm glad you are getting excellent care. This is not medical advice but know that in similar situations cardiologists often use "goal-directed care" that includes a large number of medications that have been individually shown to benefit a suboptimally-functioning heart. Most of these meds tend to reduce blood pressure and it is not always clear when the blood pressure reduction is good vs. a little too good. Signs that the blood pressure is too low include worse kidney function, extreme fatigue, trouble thinking, and dizziness upon standing. These can also be signs of poor heart function, which can in of itself cause the low BP, so it's important to discriminate among these -- and that can be accomplished by reducing the meds temporarily and allowing the BP to drift up a bit.

Right my BP this morning is 102/59

This is going to be a delicate balancing act, especially if I do have adrenal insufficiency also (my doc suspects it) which requires more salt whereas they have me on a low salt diet for my heart.

Look at the poor choice of socks I wore to the ER the other day lol. I did have long pajama pants on. Went to the ER in my pajamas because I couldn’t get dressed. I had grabbed them out of my daughter’s old sock drawer the night before and didn’t even see this lol

 

[Rebel Rebel]

I'm glad you have a sense of humor during this scary time! Hope you keep those spirits up. My husband has heart stuff, but as I mentioned, cardiologists today are phenomenal and don't mess around. If they're not panicking, that's very good!

 

[LilAlex]

This is going to be a delicate balancing act, especially if I do have adrenal insufficiency also (my doc suspects it)

Unlikely (i.e., do you really need a third reason to have low BP?), and the meds I suspect you are on can impact the lab tests used to exclude this -- but your docs know all this! Glad you are receiving attentive care -- that's the most important thing! Feel better soon!

 

[whitewave]

Unlikely (i.e., do you really need a third reason to have low BP?), and the meds I suspect you are on can impact the lab tests used to exclude this -- but your docs know all this! Glad you are receiving attentive care -- that's the most important thing! Feel better soon!

Thanks.

 

[Autumn in New England]

Right my BP this morning is 102/59

This is going to be a delicate balancing act, especially if I do have adrenal insufficiency also (my doc suspects it) which requires more salt whereas they have me on a low salt diet for my heart.

Look at the poor choice of socks I wore to the ER the other day lol. I did have long pajama pants on. Went to the ER in my pajamas because I couldn’t get dressed. I had grabbed them out of my daughter’s old sock drawer the night before and didn’t even see this lol

Well you've certainly kept your sense of humor, that's for sure!!

 

[empliau]

Cardiology vs. Nephrology (if you're willing to have a giggle about it)