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)

 

[whitewave]

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

LOVE Dr. G. And the drinking of the salt

So my BP readings from today. Waiting for my cardiologist to text back to see if I need to be back on Midrodine because they took me off of it when discharged.

100/64
100/61

97/55
120/75

100/67
96/59
102/57
100/59

Midrodine is the med that ups BP but it’s also kinda sketchy from what I gather. DH does not like it. (He is a doctor)

 

[whitewave]

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

My friend who brought me to the ER noticed it while I was in the hallway (lol, one of those days) and she was like WHITEWAVE! What is on your socks? And I looked down at my right one on the inside and I replied, “spiders”???

And then she went OMG NO. LOOK AT YOUR SOCKS lol.

 

[AGBF]

DH does not like it. (He is a doctor)

I remembered that. Once years ago I suggested he might give you advice on something and you made a joke on his working on an entirely different part of the body. You haven't lost your sense of humor, God bless you.

 

[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!

I suspect Cardizem did this.

 

[whitewave]

Cardiology appt frday at 9 am. I’ll keep yall posted. Thanks

 

[lyra]

I hope you feel better and get a treatment plan going soon. I looked at your bp readings and they are similar to mine, but my cardiologist. says my heart is fine. I'm 63 and see him annually. I'm also diabetic. I hope you can solve your issues. It's harder when there are multiple problems.

 

[whitewave]

I hope you feel better and get a treatment plan going soon. I looked at your bp readings and they are similar to mine, but my cardiologist. says my heart is fine. I'm 63 and see him annually. I'm also diabetic. I hope you can solve your issues. It's harder when there are multiple problems.

Do you ever have to go to the hospital for it or are they able to manage it? Do you also have heart failure? Looking for positive stories! Thanks.

The hospital docs kept mentioning putting me on Entreasto (sp? ) but I’m obviously nervous about adding another heavy hitting drug. I guess I’ll find out more on Friday.

I don’t have diabetes just to add but they do want me checking my blood sugar a few times a day to see if it’s going too low. I just got all of that equipment yesterday so will start a log book of readings today.

 

[jeaniefish]

Cardiology appt frday at 9 am. I’ll keep yall posted. Thanks

Your guardian angel has been working overtime, for sure! My husband spent most of July dealing with serious cardiac issues . Thanks to modern medicine, he is so much better now. You will continue to get better too. I just know it!