HealthCareMagic is now Ask A Doctor - 24x7 | https://www.askadoctor24x7.com

What Caises Leg Pain When Suffering From Secondary Pulmonary Hypertension?

Posted on Tue, 17 Jun 2014

Question: I am an 81 year old woman - that never had heart problems until Feb. 2014. I have been diagnosed with diastolic dysfunction of heart and secondary pulmonary hypertension. also, vein in neck
that never stops papillating. Chronic A-F have pacemaker. My question is my legs hurt so bad at times-
and I can walk a very short distance and must sit down!!! My ankles do not swell. My legs cause so much pain -I am so tired I have to lie down--nap. This leg pain last 2 days and all of sudden goes away just as fast as it came. This leg pain causes me to have shortness of breath. I also have osteoarthritis,
Raynauds, osteopenia - I see rheumatologist every 3 mo. My question is this related to my heart or what is causing these painful legs??

Answered by Dr. Dr. Naveen Kumar Sharma (2 hours later)

Brief Answer:
Leg pain is not due to heart disease

Detailed Answer:
Hello madam,
I have read your case. I have full sympathy with you. Your leg pain can be due to following causes.
1. Pinch nerve in spine, causing leg pain
2. Osteoporosis in leg bones, causing weak bones.
3. Osteoarthritic of the knee joint.
I can assure you that this pain is not due to heart disease as there is no swelling in ankle and there is no pain on rest.
To confirm the cause I would suggest you to get MRI of the spine. Also get knee x ray. Please visit your doctor to discuss about MRI. If needed you can send reports of these investigation to me, we can discuss further.

Thanks

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Prasad

Follow up: Dr. Dr. Naveen Kumar Sharma (43 hours later)

I asked for a cardiologist to answer my question. Please have one read my information and give me an answer! What is peripheral Artery disease of the legs?
Could I have this? The Dr. suggested I have a MRI -When you have pacemaker you can not have an MRI! Please answer my question I sent to you -yesterday and
today? Thank You! XXXX

Answered by Dr. Dr. Naveen Kumar Sharma (7 hours later)

Brief Answer:
This pain can be peripheral vascular disease

Detailed Answer:
Hello,

I am sorry. Since you posted the query on Ask a doctor and the query is on limb pain, I choose to answer it. You are allowed to choose a specialist of your choice on Ask a Specialist.

Well, peripheral vascular disease is narrowing of blood vessels due to cholesterol deposition. When patient walks for long distance, there is pain in leg. Raynaud disease is also a type of peripheral vascular disease. In these diseases patient has pain on walking and relieved with rest.

Since you are not fit for MRI, you may opt for Doppler examination of the leg. This test will tell us about narrowing of blood vessels.

I insist on testing for bone related concerns as described above, since many of them overlap with each other. I would also recommend nerve test -EMG and X-rays if the radiolgist deem you unfit for MRI scan.

In a nutshell, pain after a walk is a symptoms associated with multiple medical conditions. You will need a thorough investigation to narrow down the possibility. I would urge you to undergo all the tests before arriving at a definite cause.

Thanks.

Note: For further queries, consult a joint and bone specialist, an Orthopaedic surgeon. Book a Call now.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Prasad