Brief Answer: You seem to be having mild heart failure Detailed Answer: Hello XXXXXXX Thanks for posting on XXXXXXX Sorry for your health problem and I also apologize for you feeling bad about the health care services you received. I do believe that your doctor has reasons for taking it so lightly. You know that stress or anxiety can also give you palpitations besides a real existing heart condition. It is often normal with aging that you may developed thickened heart (cardiomyopathy) but since yours is not much, it is likely the reason for your doctor not worrying too much. Let me reassure you in his behalf that you do not have to worry either about it. However, there is a reason for your symptoms i.e swollen ankles and feet, plus palpitations. It is likely due to a heart failure (maybe left-sided heart failure) which may have occurred due to the thickening of your heart wall. If I was to treat you as my patient, I will provide you with diuretics such as furosemide (to help with fluid retention and prevent fluids in lungs) and also provide you with a beta-blocker such as bisoprolol or a calcium channel blocker such as nifedipine. Other medications such as disodium isosorbide e.g risordan and digitalis e.g digoxin (very low doses). These combination of medications often help my patients recover very fast and prevent any future complications that may arise. I am not saying that your doctor did wrong as he is in better position to understand your condition. Your worry might push an experienced doctor to put you on medications that might cause you more harm than good. Just trust your doctor in his decision but try getting a check up in about 6 months or even sooner. Also, when sitting or lying make sure your feet are suspended above the bed level. Hope this helps and wish you the best. Feel free to write again with any other questions as I am here to help. Dr. Nsah

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