ECHO test... Will I be able to...

mike4lorie

mike4lorie

SF VIP
Location
Brockville, Ontario, Canada
Well, in 12 hours, I will be done with the ECHO test and stress test... and hopefully, I will be able to start doing the things I enjoyed... get back to the gym and lose 1/2 of this weight if NOT all of it I put on since the heart attack...It's been a very long few months...and anything I've had to do has been done very slowly...

The cardio CAT scan I had done before Christmas showed a little damage to the heart... But they are leaning towards COPD is what made me have that heart attack... So, I hope that I am told I can start doing the things I love to do... Like, drive again... Miss driving, and I am not a very good passenger... Keep your fingers and toes crossed, please...
 

Well, saw the cardiologist, and after all my tests... I am told my heart is solid, I have a leak in my Aortic Valve. The problem is not my heart, but my lungs, they are in bad shape, kinda already knew that. the lungs, lack of oxygen that night is what gave me that heart attack.

See the lung doctor in the middle of March. My heart is good, with no blockage, pumps well, and works a little harder because of my lungs... very minimal damage from the heart attack, but not enough to worry about. So the heart is not my concern now, but my lungs are my concern. I thought it was my heart causing the tiredness, but it was a lack of oxygen when exerting myself. Need to learn to slow down even more...
 
mike4lorie said:
Well, saw the cardiologist, and after all my tests... I am told my heart is solid, I have a leak in my Aortic Valve. The problem is not my heart, but my lungs, they are in bad shape, kinda already knew that. the lungs, lack of oxygen that night is what gave me that heart attack.

See the lung doctor in the middle of March. My heart is good, with no blockage, pumps well, and works a little harder because of my lungs... very minimal damage from the heart attack, but not enough to worry about. So the heart is not my concern now, but my lungs are my concern. I thought it was my heart causing the tiredness, but it was a lack of oxygen when exerting myself. Need to learn to slow down even more...
Click to expand...
Having had asthma in past years, I can relate in a way. Please learn to pace yourself .. and, take care @mike4lorie
 
Might be a good idea to ditch those cigarettes like the one in your picture. I have been through pulmonary tests to check the volume of air in my lungs. Both lungs checked 100%. The test I had trouble with was to take a deep breath and then hold it for as long as I could. I had to take that test for scuba license and I needed to be able to hold my air long enough to take out the mouth piece and replace it with another one that was laid out for me. It was called pulmonary function testing. Scary? To some degree.

A friend of mine had his aortic valve replaced. He had what was called Aortic Regurgitation.
 
mike4lorie said:
Well, I got my results back, I forgot the names of things, but my aorta valve is not working properly, The valve is not closing properly, so blood is seeping back in... Have to go for more tests...
Click to expand...
Sounds like me. I think they called it 'regurgitating' , and they fixed it. Going on 17 yrs now.
You'll be fine.

ETA: ditto to what oldman said.
**and ask for the pig valve
 
Last edited:
The good news is that there is minimal damage to your heart. Hopefully there are things they can do to help with the lung issue. Try and get plenty of rest and stay positive. All best wishes to you and yours :)
 
Pepper said:
Do you have sleep apnea, Mike? If not sure, please be tested. You will breathe better, I promise. Best of luck, I'm rooting for you!
Click to expand...
Was tested a few years ago @Pepper, Might be a good idea to be tested again
dobielvr said:
Sounds like me. I think they called it 'regurgitating' , and they fixed it. Going on 17 yrs now.
You'll be fine.

ETA: ditto to what oldman said.
**and ask for the pig valve
Click to expand...
@dobielvr Yeah, that's what it is called, think my memory is going like my lungs...ha

Quit smoking almost 3 years ago now...
 

You must log in or register to reply here.

Back
Top