Question: Last Nov I experienced a rapid heart beat running to catch a bus. I had to stop several times and once on the bus it took ten minutes to breathe normally. Two days later walking to home same thing happened. I went to cardiologist after two stress and echo tests and twice wore a halter monitor. He said my heart was strong and no apparent blockage. He did say I had atrial flutter not atrial fibrillation. I was on Diovan 160MG, Crestor 10MG and baby aspirin and Vitamin D 1000MG. In the next couple of months he gave me VERAPAMIL 120 M, stopped changed to RAMIPRIL 2.5mg STOPPED WENT TO MATTZIM 240mg STOPPED AND WENT TO DILTIAZEM 240 MG and stopped Diovan. I continually feel short of breath. He thought I may have lung hypertension. I went to pulmonary doctor who took all tests chest scan etc. Ruled out everything except small nodules on lungs but no treatment required. in XXXXXXX while walking my legs gave in and I had to hold on to wall and my wife helped me walk to restaurant.I could only walk a couple of blocks before having to stop and rest. Few days later both ankles and feet swelled up like a balloon. EKG now showed that I was in atrial fibrillation. He gave me FUROSEMIDE 20mg and XARELTO 20MG , stopping baby aspirin and added Divan 80MG.It took a week for swelling to clear up. In July I had cardioconversion which was successful in returning to normal rhythm. He also gave me Multaq 400MG. A few weeks later I was back in afib. He gave me another echo test and found hearth to be strong. He stopped Multaq and gave me Furosemide 10MG to take for two weeks and then may try cardioconversion again on Sept 23rd appt. I continue to feel short of breath everyday and he can not find the cause. It seems I am getting nowhere with his trial and error. Should I get a second opinion? I am 79 year old male, 5'7" 165 lbs do not exercise.

Dr did say echo showed left ventricular was larger. Should I do another conversion? Please expand on what is restrictive heart diseases. Should my cardiologist do evaluation or who? I did tell my internist about shortness of breath problem. He took special blood test and said results were negative. I do have muscular weakness in left leg. I had polio when I was two and left leg is 1-2 inches shorter than right leg. Would this have any bearing on my condition.

I don't have an echo doctor and I don't have an "echo" report. My cardiologist did all 3 echo tests. He just said at last echo test that left ventricular seemed to be larger. What are implications of larger ventricle ? Also a number of times I feel "achy" over my whole body and get light headed and have to sit down.

I do very much appreciate your trying to help me but I don't know where to go from here. As I said I am scheduled to see my cardiologist on Sept 23rd.

Thank you.