K
KimC
Hello,
It has been a long and difficult week with many conversations re: my cardiac MRI and diagnosis.
The good news is that my EF is normal (but seems a little high at 67%). Fractional shortening, volume, etc. also are normal. Translation: no overt heart failure. There is some evidence of right-heart dysfunction but it's a close call, according to my cardiologist.
The bad news is that not only the right ventricle, but the left ventricle is beyond normal dimensions. (When did all this happen?) My diagnosis is dilated cardiomyopathy.
In the past, I was told that aortic valve disease was a concern, but the latest is that microvascular ischemia is the root cause, not a floppy valve (although it's leaking 1-2). I think I mentioned this in one of my previous posts.
I'm still going to have another contrast bubble study but this time with a leg vein puncture to further investigate the significance of the shunt. I'm hoping and praying what's causing the heart enlargement is something that can be fixed and not "really" heart disease, so to speak.
The scar tissue they found on the MRI is unusual in that it's tiny but in several places. My doctor described it like a pin-cushion. He said in the past they wouldn't have been able to see the damage, and would've diagnosed me with "idiopathic cardiomyopathy." Today's cardiac MRI's are amazing in that they can present detailed pictures of the myocardium, the heart muscle.
Meanwhile, I have a question for anyone who has cared for someone with heart failure, or who has heart failure symptoms ... I have symptoms after large meals, exercise, etc. Typically, I rest. Now that I know I have a condition that can have symptoms of heart failure (this is still new to me), I'm trying to change my lifestyle habits, i.e., smaller meals, less sodium, etc.
Until I "get there," does anyone have any advice for me when I am symptomatic? For example, if I eat a piece of Pizza Hut Pan Pizza at 1,200 grams of sodium, I will palpitate for several hours. I'm not kidding. I thought it was a GI thing. I'll avoid the pizza, but what if I "accidentally" overeat or eat something bad for me and start to experience symptoms? Should I lay down, take more diuretic???
Thanks for your advice. As always, I appreciate the support of VR.com, and hope this email finds you well.
God bless,
It has been a long and difficult week with many conversations re: my cardiac MRI and diagnosis.
The good news is that my EF is normal (but seems a little high at 67%). Fractional shortening, volume, etc. also are normal. Translation: no overt heart failure. There is some evidence of right-heart dysfunction but it's a close call, according to my cardiologist.
The bad news is that not only the right ventricle, but the left ventricle is beyond normal dimensions. (When did all this happen?) My diagnosis is dilated cardiomyopathy.
In the past, I was told that aortic valve disease was a concern, but the latest is that microvascular ischemia is the root cause, not a floppy valve (although it's leaking 1-2). I think I mentioned this in one of my previous posts.
I'm still going to have another contrast bubble study but this time with a leg vein puncture to further investigate the significance of the shunt. I'm hoping and praying what's causing the heart enlargement is something that can be fixed and not "really" heart disease, so to speak.
The scar tissue they found on the MRI is unusual in that it's tiny but in several places. My doctor described it like a pin-cushion. He said in the past they wouldn't have been able to see the damage, and would've diagnosed me with "idiopathic cardiomyopathy." Today's cardiac MRI's are amazing in that they can present detailed pictures of the myocardium, the heart muscle.
Meanwhile, I have a question for anyone who has cared for someone with heart failure, or who has heart failure symptoms ... I have symptoms after large meals, exercise, etc. Typically, I rest. Now that I know I have a condition that can have symptoms of heart failure (this is still new to me), I'm trying to change my lifestyle habits, i.e., smaller meals, less sodium, etc.
Until I "get there," does anyone have any advice for me when I am symptomatic? For example, if I eat a piece of Pizza Hut Pan Pizza at 1,200 grams of sodium, I will palpitate for several hours. I'm not kidding. I thought it was a GI thing. I'll avoid the pizza, but what if I "accidentally" overeat or eat something bad for me and start to experience symptoms? Should I lay down, take more diuretic???
Thanks for your advice. As always, I appreciate the support of VR.com, and hope this email finds you well.
God bless,