Sign-in to Ask A Doctor - 24x7
OR
Sign in with GoogleGet your health question answered instantly from our pool of 18000+ doctors from over 80 specialties
What Causes Severe Breathing Difficulties?
My mother in law just had stent surgery today and after been admitted back to the ward had severe breathing difficulties and had to be put on an oxygen machine. Last week she had a silent heart attack and she also has type 2 diabetes. Is this normal and how serious is her situation. She is 76
Mon, 8 May 2017
Hello
Thanks for posting at HCM.
Your mother in law had a silent heart attack which is very typical in diabetics. Stents are put to reopen and establish flow in the arteries of the heart which are blocked. Due to the silent heart attack that she had, the heart pumping function seems to have suffered. Hence it is not able to effectively pump all the blood it receives leading to fluid overload. This excessive fluid tends to accumulate in the lungs. This causes breathing difficulty. This condition is known as pulmonary edema.
I suppose your mother in law is suffering from pulmonary edema.It requires treatment with diuretics (water pill), nitrates along with other medications for the stent and the heart which she is already on.
Once the extra fluid resolves, she will get better. The Left ventricular ejection fraction or the pumping function is normally 55-60%. After a heart attack, it drops down. A 2 D Echo should be done which will show you how much the ejection fraction is in her case.
Wishing her good health
Regards
Thanks for posting at HCM.
Your mother in law had a silent heart attack which is very typical in diabetics. Stents are put to reopen and establish flow in the arteries of the heart which are blocked. Due to the silent heart attack that she had, the heart pumping function seems to have suffered. Hence it is not able to effectively pump all the blood it receives leading to fluid overload. This excessive fluid tends to accumulate in the lungs. This causes breathing difficulty. This condition is known as pulmonary edema.
I suppose your mother in law is suffering from pulmonary edema.It requires treatment with diuretics (water pill), nitrates along with other medications for the stent and the heart which she is already on.
Once the extra fluid resolves, she will get better. The Left ventricular ejection fraction or the pumping function is normally 55-60%. After a heart attack, it drops down. A 2 D Echo should be done which will show you how much the ejection fraction is in her case.
Wishing her good health
Regards
I find this answer helpful
Disclaimer: These answers are for your information only and not intended to replace your relationship with your treating physician.
This is a short, free answer.
For a more detailed, immediate answer, try our premium service
[Sample answer]
Related questions you may be interested in
Recent questions on Stent
Loading Online Doctors....