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Suggest Remedy For Shortness Of Breath And Atrial Fluttering

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Posted on Wed, 29 Apr 2015
Question: I am a 63 year old,white, male.I am 5'10" tall and weigh 210 pounds.I have been having some atrial flutter from time to time for over a year.I do not have shortness of breath or chest pains.I feel good.I am healthy.I do not smoke or drink.I eat healthy and take vitamins.I ride an exercise bike a few times a week with no problem.I had a normal chest xray.My BNP is 28.My echo of heart showed normal valves,ejection fraction of 65,normal size heart,slight diastolic dysfunction.My total cholesterol is 141.My HDL is 53.{I take simvastatin and niacin].My triglycerides are 75.My blood sugar was 94.All of my other blood work is normal.My A1C was 5.2.I do not have diabetes.My blood pressure averages 125/70.My heart rate averages 70.[I take Lisinopril.a baby aspirin, and Metoperol].I had an ultrasound and my aorta is normal size inside and out with slight calcification[hardening of the arteries].I had a nuclear perfusion stress test which I passed with no problem[normal wall movement,ejection fraction of 70].They indicated I had a 1 mm horizontal ST depression on my ECG.They said I do not need to come back for a year.The nurse was not clear as to what the ST depression might indicate.How would you interput all of this information?

My main concern is the significance of the ST depression.
doctor
Answered by Dr. Benard Shehu (56 minutes later)
Brief Answer:
Need to analyze full ECG report first...

Detailed Answer:
Hi,

1. I need to have a look at your full ECG report, so I can analyze the changes in ECG myself before running into final conclusions.

2. Only one finding of ST depression does not necessarily mean that you might be having heart problems. We do not judge only on one finding on ECG, we do judge taking into account:
- your clinical symptoms
- all test reports and not ECG including echocardiogram and stress test.

As long as your clinical findings and Echo and stress test were all normal, then, that is not worrisome.

I would recommend to continue with healthy lifestyle and diet regimen and to repeat cardiac testing after 1 year from now.

Hope it was of help!
Dr.Benard
Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
doctor
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Follow up: Dr. Benard Shehu (25 hours later)
After my exam, echo,xrays,blood tests, and nuclear perfusion stress test I was told;Heart and lungs sound good.Blood work was normal.Xray normal. I have normal wall motion.Normal ventricular function.Ejection fraction of 70.No reversible defects seen.Negative electrocardigram for myocardial ischemia.I showed a 1mm horizontal st depression 11 111 avf v3-6. They said I passed the stress test and would not need to return for a year. Is this of any more help to you in regards to the ST depression?? Thanks,XXXX
doctor
Answered by Dr. Benard Shehu (14 hours later)
Brief Answer:
You can discuss with your doctor to change therapy.

Detailed Answer:
Hi,

I have gone through your medical history carefully and understood your concerns.

1. Your potassium level is at borderline low level but still within acceptable range. Although at borderline potassium levels may contribute to fatigue, depression and bradycardia.

My advice is to drink plenty of water and to increase consumption of potassium reach fruits (bananas, orange etc.)

2. With regards to being fatigued and other complaints. These are side effects of the drug you are taking.

In case you cannot tolerate such side effects, then you can discuss with your doctor to change therapy.

If you were my patient I would recommend to start amiodarone that has less side effects.


All the best!
Dr.Benard
Note: For further queries related to coronary artery disease and prevention, click here.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
doctor
Answered by
Dr.
Dr. Benard Shehu

Cardiologist

Practicing since :2004

Answered : 2257 Questions

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Suggest Remedy For Shortness Of Breath And Atrial Fluttering

Brief Answer: Need to analyze full ECG report first... Detailed Answer: Hi, 1. I need to have a look at your full ECG report, so I can analyze the changes in ECG myself before running into final conclusions. 2. Only one finding of ST depression does not necessarily mean that you might be having heart problems. We do not judge only on one finding on ECG, we do judge taking into account: - your clinical symptoms - all test reports and not ECG including echocardiogram and stress test. As long as your clinical findings and Echo and stress test were all normal, then, that is not worrisome. I would recommend to continue with healthy lifestyle and diet regimen and to repeat cardiac testing after 1 year from now. Hope it was of help! Dr.Benard