Women and heart issues - Page 2

Luvtuna · ‎04-21-2015

I wanted to heart you Sillieme but when I try to heart on my iPad it just takes me to this sign in page. Does anyone else have this problem? I wish you many many years of good health.

granddi · ‎03-16-2010

I asked my cardiologist, "are there anyother tests that you would like the results but cannot order due to insurance restrictions."

She said no. (I am beginning to ask this of other specialists)

But I think all patients should be given the opportunity to private pay for various diagnostic preceedures.

Shelbelle · ‎03-09-2010

My internist suggested this Calcium scan to me as a routine a few years ago, I am 66 now. she said it is a good tool to use. I read about it and was very unsure, so I had my DH ask his internist about it, and he said he does not use it as a routine test, he said that a stress test wouild give him a lot more info about the heart than the calcium scan, so I never had it done.

Trinity11 · ‎11-16-2014

@SilleeMee wrote:
I'm 63 and have been living with scleroderma since 2002. The disease is affecting my mitral valve and that means I'm basically a ticking time bomb...I can drop dead any second from a mitral valve failure. I get echocardiograms yearly and they show my valve is getting thick and is becoming stiff and not flexible. Surgery is not an option so I just pray a lot. It used to bother me that I could die any day now but over time I have made peace with God and asked please let me live as long as I could and I made a promise to take care of the heart that was given to me. So far I'm doing fine and I'm happy. Live for today and don't worry about tomorrow.

@SilleeMee ...there is a new surgery for mitral valve regurgitation that is not open heart surgery. My interventionist has perfected it and since I have Stage 3 I most likely will need it. Mine is from damage from 2 heart attacks.

I hope you can find a doctor familiar with the new procedure.

Catiele · ‎08-20-2012

First SilleeMee we all know that you are a very special lady.
My experience with heart disease happened nineteen years ago. One afternoon my husband and I were out and I began to have chest pains. Went to the accident room. It was a Friday and extremely busy. I was on a cot in a hallway. Drug addicts and alcoholics surrounded me. Had exrays. The doctor said I had a very enlarged heart. Cardiomyopathy is the technical term. Thankfully my Doctor came in and I was transferred to a hospital that was known for dealing with heart patients. Many more tests. The cardiologist said he was a pessimist but optimistic about me. Had difibulater put in. A new one is put in every five years. I am so greatful and blessed to be here and tell my story. Please get checked. Thoughts and prayers are with you.

SilleeMee · ‎05-22-2016

@Trinity11 wrote:
@SilleeMee wrote:
I'm 63 and have been living with scleroderma since 2002. The disease is affecting my mitral valve and that means I'm basically a ticking time bomb...I can drop dead any second from a mitral valve failure. I get echocardiograms yearly and they show my valve is getting thick and is becoming stiff and not flexible. Surgery is not an option so I just pray a lot. It used to bother me that I could die any day now but over time I have made peace with God and asked please let me live as long as I could and I made a promise to take care of the heart that was given to me. So far I'm doing fine and I'm happy. Live for today and don't worry about tomorrow.
@SilleeMee ...there is a new surgery for mitral valve regurgitation that is not open heart surgery. My interventionist has perfected it and since I have Stage 3 I most likely will need it. Mine is from damage from 2 heart attacks.

I hope you can find a doctor familiar with the new procedure.

@Trinity11

If you need the surgery, I hope it goes well for you.

The problem for me is the healing part and that since I have a connective tissue AI disease that means the valve replacement most likely will never fully integrate into the heart. The risk is extremely high and it would be difficult to find a surgeon to take my case. Post-op failure rate is so high that they don't even consider it for scleroderma patients like myself. Yes, it's sad but there's nothing that can be done.

Trinity11 · ‎11-16-2014

@SilleeMee wrote:
@Trinity11 wrote:
@SilleeMee wrote:
I'm 63 and have been living with scleroderma since 2002. The disease is affecting my mitral valve and that means I'm basically a ticking time bomb...I can drop dead any second from a mitral valve failure. I get echocardiograms yearly and they show my valve is getting thick and is becoming stiff and not flexible. Surgery is not an option so I just pray a lot. It used to bother me that I could die any day now but over time I have made peace with God and asked please let me live as long as I could and I made a promise to take care of the heart that was given to me. So far I'm doing fine and I'm happy. Live for today and don't worry about tomorrow.
@SilleeMee ...there is a new surgery for mitral valve regurgitation that is not open heart surgery. My interventionist has perfected it and since I have Stage 3 I most likely will need it. Mine is from damage from 2 heart attacks.

I hope you can find a doctor familiar with the new procedure.

@Trinity11
If you need the surgery, I hope it goes well for you.
The problem for me is the healing part and that since I have a connective tissue AI disease that means the valve replacement most likely will never fully integrate into the heart. The risk is extremely high and it would be difficult to find a surgeon to take my case. Post-op failure rate is so high that they don't even consider it for scleroderma patients like myself. Yes, it's sad but there's nothing that can be done.

Is the post op failure rate with the new surgery? I understand about an open procedure but something less invasive? Like yourself I don't heal well but my doctor claims it has been successful with very high risk patients.

I guess what I am trying to say, although awkwardly, maybe there could be an answer? I hope so. I will keep you in my thoughts and prayers @SilleeMee .

aoldgirl · ‎11-10-2015

Six years ago I had my heart attack, had complained for weeks about chest pains, especially when I lied down at night. then one day, fixing supper, down I went. Its really a miracale I'm alive. So to me there is no such thing as over cautious.

SilleeMee · ‎05-22-2016

@Trinity11 ,

I am considered a high-risk for heart surgery for more than one reason. The scleroderma has also affected my lungs where heart surgery could cause more problems...a cascading fall of events. My lung sacs are showing signs of hardening so I have to go and get pulmonary function tests (PFTs) every year. The autoantibodies are attacking my lung tissue slowly but surely. I'm just too high-risk for heart surgery.

HLP · ‎04-02-2015

I have written on this before. At age 78, I was given an all day test to see if I could have gall bladder surgery, it was a blood test ,go home and eat and come back, because the anesthesis, didn't like my EKG. I was told by a cardiologist you are fine to go. 2 years earlier I had an arterectomy?spelling, opening of my neck and left artery cleaned out. I have a scope on my carotid, legs and stomach every 6 months since then. During my gall bladder surgery, I had a heart attack, life flighted to Pittsburgh, had open heart surgery that day. Since then my left carotd artery, ,the same I had operated on filled up, I went this past July and had a stent put in, I'm 100% open, I have said for awhile pay the $150.00 and have a carodid test when your local people have a program. I am now 85 years old,I did not suffer any of this. As the comercial on TV says ," your first indication of a stroke, is a stroke" I had a small stroke on NYs eve a year ago. Just a little feelimg of what is this? I drive, do my own house cleaning, do whatever. I am on O2 24/7, I asked for it, as I'm a retired Inhalation tech. There is no heart disease in my Family of 2 brothers and 5 sisters I was the only one who smoked. Thats your no.no. My ins pays for everything, but I would get tested even if they didn't. Hope I have helped .