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What Would Cause Severe And Debilitating Symptoms Like Extreme Fatigue, Weakness In Legs And Arms, Lethargy, A Dry Persistent Cough, Heart Palpitations And Breathlessness?
Question: Hi - I have quite a few symptoms & they seem to match with heart failure. My symptoms are: extreme fatigue, extreme weakness in legs & arms, extreme lethargy, a dry persistent cough, heart palpitations, rapid heart beat, shortness of breath. These symptoms are quite severe & debilitating.
Brief Answer:
I would explain as follows:
Detailed Answer:
Hello,
I passed carefully through your concern and would like to explain that your current clinical symptomatology is highly suspicious of cardiopulmonary insufficiency as you are dependent on continuous oxygen therapy and are experiencing a severe restriction in your overall physical performance.
Coming to this point I agree with you that heart failure could be a reasonable explanation, most likely right heart failure due to severe pulmonary pulmonary disorder (cor pulmonale from embolic disease).
Considering all the above, it is necessary reviewing the entire cardio-pulmonary status by checking first the cardiac function and structure by means of a cardiac ultrasound (evaluating right and left cardiac chambers and function, potential pulmonary hypertension, etc.)
In addition, it is recommended performing:
- an arterial blood gas analysis,
- resting ECG,
- chest X ray study,
- troponin and NT-proBNP
to help defining the severity of cardiac and pulmonary dysfunction.
You should discuss with your doctor on the above mentioned issues.
Hope to have been helpful to you!
In case of any further questions, feel free to ask me again.
Kind regards,
Dr. Iliri
I would explain as follows:
Detailed Answer:
Hello,
I passed carefully through your concern and would like to explain that your current clinical symptomatology is highly suspicious of cardiopulmonary insufficiency as you are dependent on continuous oxygen therapy and are experiencing a severe restriction in your overall physical performance.
Coming to this point I agree with you that heart failure could be a reasonable explanation, most likely right heart failure due to severe pulmonary pulmonary disorder (cor pulmonale from embolic disease).
Considering all the above, it is necessary reviewing the entire cardio-pulmonary status by checking first the cardiac function and structure by means of a cardiac ultrasound (evaluating right and left cardiac chambers and function, potential pulmonary hypertension, etc.)
In addition, it is recommended performing:
- an arterial blood gas analysis,
- resting ECG,
- chest X ray study,
- troponin and NT-proBNP
to help defining the severity of cardiac and pulmonary dysfunction.
You should discuss with your doctor on the above mentioned issues.
Hope to have been helpful to you!
In case of any further questions, feel free to ask me again.
Kind regards,
Dr. Iliri
Note: For further queries related to coronary artery disease and prevention, click here.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
Answered by
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