Astham,tingling numbness,cold feet and doubt regarding heart problems - Online Doctor Chats

User :   how do i know if i have heart problems & what tests should I request ? I'm 57 , 148 lbs , 5' 6''. I have mild asthma ( usually brought on by a sneeze ! ) & take Cingulair only once in while or Primeatene spray maybe once a day. I'm active a lot , working on my property. The reason for these questions are I started noticing my arms are tingling when I am sleeping , which is waking me up. It's not like my arms are bent severely , sleeping like I always have , on my side. I straighten my arms up & the tingling will go away which is helping the circulation I assume. My feet feel colder this time of year , ( my wife will comment on this in when I get in bed ) which I guess is part of the aging process. I eat healthy , very little red meat or fats, exercise with weights. This has me concerned as i know something is going on & I am never sick. My blood pressure this morning is 108 to 123 over 72 to 78 with a pulse of 68 to 70. I have no doctor & have not been to one in years since he moved away. What do I do & need in the way of tests ? Thanks RC
Doctor :   Hi
Doctor :   Let me summaries your symptoms: U have asthama
Doctor :   you cold feet
Doctor :   you have tingling numbness
Doctor :   oter wise no problems
Doctor :   and you want to know what tests do be done.
Doctor :   Am I right?
User :   yes , i know there circulation problems
Doctor :   Ok
Doctor :   let me ask you few qs.
Doctor :   Do u have aleg oain whjen u walk?
Doctor :   Do u have leg pain when u walk?
Doctor :   Does your heart beat fast? Do you have chest pain when uy walk? Do u have difficulty breathing when u walk
User :   no , but they can take a second to get moving when i get out out of a chair or i am squatting
User :   no , no , no
Doctor :   Plz be patient if I am late
Doctor :   From ur history there are no cardiovascular problems
Doctor :   I don;t even see any risk factors
Doctor :   except the age
Doctor :   But I suggest some tests
User :   which ones ? I am wonder if my heart has been damaged over the years from asthma meds & former smoking
Doctor :   No Asthma will damage lungs. But if properly managed it will not cause heart failure
Doctor :   Uncontrolled Ashthma can cause strain on heart , esp on right side off the heart and cause right heart failure
Doctor :   But u have so shortness of breath, and swelling in legs
User :   damaged over the years from asthma medications , tedral , primeatene , etc.
Doctor :   But u can get th e Cesy Ray, Echocardiogram to look for ant heart failure
Doctor :   *chest Xray
User :   what about heart valve or other problems ?
Doctor :   Also get lipid profile to look for cholesterol
Doctor :   Echo cardiogram will look at the heart wall,/muscles/valves
Doctor :   and see the dynamic activity of the heart
User :   my cholesterol has always been low
User :   what is Cesy Ray ?
User :   chest Xray to look for what ?
User :   hello ?
Doctor :   Iam here
Doctor :   I am chatting with other patient lz be patient
User :   ok
Doctor :   Chest x ray will look at your size of the heart
Doctor :   It will also look at the lung tissue
Doctor :   It will look for any damaged/big air bubble in lung
User :   what is Cesy Ray ?
Doctor :   It was spelling mistake, dude. I am sorry
Doctor :   It is Chest Xray
User :   what type of tests to check for oxygen level in blood ?
Doctor :   There is ABG Arterial Blood gas test or Pulse oxymetry
Doctor :   But usually done in patient with shortness of breath
User :   I am concerned as i know somethings wrong , am never sick & I don't want to drop dead on my wife !
Doctor :   I will give u few suggestions to live longer
Doctor :   You do not have risk factors for heart diseases
Doctor :   that u have u trust
Doctor :   Except age
Doctor :   Get the yearly Blood pressure and cholesterol tests done
Doctor :   u can also get cbcb, cmp, PSA tSH
Doctor :   In addiition to the ECHO
User :   Except from asthma meds & smoking
Doctor :   Then you need to concentreate on smoking
Doctor :   As long as you control astham au r good
Doctor :   Use Albuterol pump when short of breath
Doctor :   Get steroid inhalers if it aaggravted
Doctor :   If uncontrolled it will cause problems
Doctor :   Do u follow me?
User :   I can do Blood pressure myself every day & am a FORMER smoker. I know primeatene & tedral can cause heart damage & i have used primeatene for 30 +years. this is my concern about heart damage. my asthma is never a problem
Doctor :   primeatene & tedral can u explain thse?