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question:My sister was just diagnosed with mild mitral regurgitation today I m scared for us she s only 40 years old we have different fathers her side of the family mostly male have past including her dad from a heart attack? Should I be worried? How can I help?
answer:Dear Patient, Thank you very much for your question. In Mitral valve regurgitation or mitral insufficiency, your mitral valve does not close tightly,therefore,it allows to flow blood backward in your heart. Upon severity of Mital valve regurgitation, patients can be no symptoms in mild cases or experience heart palpitations, shortness of breath,fatigue, swollen feet or ankles upon disease progression. Also physician can hear the presence of murmur during auscultation. In your sister's case, since her mitral valve regurgitation is mild nothing much to worry about it. However, I would recommend her to take an echocardiogram once every year. Maintaining a healthy blood pressure,doing regular exercises, avoiding from smoking and drinking alcohol,maintaining a normal body weight can be helpful to stop progressing this condition. Again, MVP is a very prevalent condition especially among females. Follow those recommendations and consult a cardiologist if she only develops the above mentioned symptoms. Most people have mild regurgitation throughout their entire life without any progression. Therefore, nothing to worry. If you have more questions, please let me know.Good luck!Dr. Dinesh Nuwan Weerasinghe. MD
question:I checked my blood pressure today, just because, and its 140 over 99. I don t smoke, don t drink, have very little stress in my life, i m active throughout the day ( assistant site supervisor for a big homebuilder ), eat well and I feel great. How can I lower this rate and what foods should I be eating ?
answer:Eating a diet that is rich in whole grains, fruits, vegetables and low-fat dairy products and skimps on saturated fat and cholesterol can lower your blood pressure by up to 14 mm Hg
question:Hi, I was sat down in a chair, when I got the strangest feeling in my heart, I then lost me breath, vision, my head was tingling and the rest of my body, I lost total funtion for a few seconds. Then my heart started to race and gradullay calmed down.
answer:Hello, After going through your medical query I understand your concern and I would like to tell you that mostly these kinds of symptoms originate because of brain or heart disorder which requires proper evaluation. Kindly get an ECG, Echocardiography, Carotid Doppler, Holter and MRI brain done and consult with a physician for further management. Hope I have answered your query. Let me know if I can assist you further. Regards, Dr. Bhanu Partap, Cardiologist
question:I had an AF ablation on Marchs 2, and my leg seems to be retaining fluid. During the day it gets pretty swollen. In the morning a lot of the swelling goes down but throughout the day it returns. I have been given a diuretic to take for 3 days but I have not begin it yet die to my busy schedule and my worry that I will be running to the bathroom very often. I will begin taking the pills tomorrow and hope that the selling subsides over time. Does this make sense?
answer:Hi,Thank you for your query. I can understand your concerns.Your swelling of legs is due to congestive cardiac failure consequent to the underlying cardiac condition causing chronic atrial fibrillation.Surgical ablation of AF might have been done as a stand-alone procedure. Diuretic will reduce swelling and If you take in the morning ,it will not at least disturb your sleep due to frequent toilet visit .Th effect of diuretic lasts or approximately six hours. Regards Dr. T.K. Biswas M.D.Mumbai
question:My husband was released from hospital at 5:00 today after heart attacks Thursday night led to 2 stents being put in. He has had gas and indigestion most of day , more tonight. Hard to sleep. Is there something he can take(or do) to get comfortable through night so he can sleep and relax?
answer:Hi,Thank you for your query. I can understand your concerns.Dyspeptic symptoms like gas and indigestion may be due to aspirin group of drugs prescribed for anti-platelet effect. Your husband may take oral pantoprazole and liquid sucralfate antacid preparation and switch over to other anti-platelet drug like clopidrogel.Regards Dr. T.K. Biswas M.D.Mumbai
question:Hi , I have had a heart attack 3 weeks ago and 2 stents inserted and I am medicated with blood thinners and blood pressure to mention a few I am a 54 year old male , I still have one more stent to be inserted in a months time in the LAD which is approx. 90% blocked I am feeling quiet well and Mobil ,apart from the occasional chest pain which comes and goes. My main concern is waiting that month, what would suggest.
answer:From your history it is clear that you had a heart attack and stenting was done in infarct related artery,usually in setting of acute heart attack staging of procedure is done to reduce chances of complication and to give time to heart to get stabilised.so in your case second procedure of stenting in LAD is planned with such intention.however if you have chest pain though light in intensity but similar to heart attack pain ,then you should go back to your cardiologist for early intervention ,no need to wait.my best wishes.