Congenital Heart Disease Support Group
Congenital heart disease is heart disease in the newborn, and includes congenital heart defects, congenital arrythmias, cardiomyopathies, and hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM). CHD can describe a wide variety of different abnormalities affecting the heart. CHD occurs when the heart or blood vessels near the heart does not develop properly before birth.
I am a 37 yr. old woman- 135 lbs. and recently found through an echocardiogram done by a cardiologist that I was born with a heart defect. I have a PFO a hole the size of a pencil eraser. I've been struggling my whole life with chronic fatigue,weakness,muscle weakness,also have sinus tachycardia that was found by my family dr. after wearing a holter monitor. I've suffered with many symptoms and no one could explain what was wrong with me and why I tired so easily and was sleeping so much.So now, I find that I have a PFO and my heart functions abnormally and acts up. I'm very scared and worried as my dr. put me on toprol to slow my heart rate and take 1 asprin once a day but my symptoms of chronic fatigue and shortness of breath exist. He told me at my age there would be a risk if he fixed the hole I could have a stroke or heart failure as it would be a shock to the heart to function in a normal way.
I'm scared to have the hole closed because I might have a heart attack, stroke or die and if i don't have it done I still face problems and chronic fatigue everyday and heart irregularity.
Has anyone here had a PFO closed later in life? please be honest, any complications? did you feel better? I'm praying this would regain my life to have some energy again but the Dr. can not promise anything. He said I could be worse or fix it and still continue to live the same. He said normally they fix PFO's early in childhood or as an infant.
Please help.........
I'm scared to have the hole closed because I might have a heart attack, stroke or die and if i don't have it done I still face problems and chronic fatigue everyday and heart irregularity.
Has anyone here had a PFO closed later in life? please be honest, any complications? did you feel better? I'm praying this would regain my life to have some energy again but the Dr. can not promise anything. He said I could be worse or fix it and still continue to live the same. He said normally they fix PFO's early in childhood or as an infant.
Please help.........
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Most people with copd also have anxiety.....Dr.suggested taking meds for it.....does it help? Just wondering....
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I'm trying to exercise daily. I was doing fairly well until I sprained my ankle 2 weeks ago but now I'm getting back on the horse. Today I walked over a mile with my arm weights that are about 22lbs total. I was out of shape and it was hard on my arms. I also did my 30 situps. I'm also going to drink a lot of water and try to eat healthy. I do tend to have a sweet tooth but I'm cutting...
I would try the meds first. The Toprol may make you feel more tired and a little light headed at first. That is because it blocks adrenaline (that's the simple answer). Your body should become accustomed to it in a few weeks. The aspirin is to prevent microclots, which could cause strokes.
I would also go online and find the best cardiac center in your area. Look at some of the teaching hospitals and you may need to do a road trip to reach it. Get a second opinion on the surgical options. U of M medical systems, Health Topics A to Z is the website that I go to for patient education materials. They do a nice job.
It is so scary when things go wrong with a heart. But also there is a lot of hope out there. Surgery is usually the last resort, since in order to get at the defect they have to stop the heart.
If there is anything else that I can do to help, I'm around Diane