Suggest Treatment For Intermittent Chest Pain And Foot Edema

Posted on Fri, 23 Jan 2015

Question: First, what will I be charged for this?

The doctor I referred to is a cardiologist, who gave me no medicatons.

also have intermittent chest pain/tightness and ankle/foot edema.

Answered by Dr. Shanthi E (1 hour later)

Brief Answer:
you need cardiac assessment and treatment accordingly

Detailed Answer:
Hello,

I see that you are a 64year old woman with a problem of intermittent chest pain/tightness and ankle/foot edema. These signs and symptoms definitely suggest an underlying cardiac problem. Perhaps, a heart failure.

Have you got done your echocardiography? what is the heart's ejection fraction? I see that you have done tests a year ago. But now since your symptoms are worse, you would need to be investigated again. Please let me know what cardiac medications you are currently on.

Please let me know the relevant details of your current problem. I would be glad to help you.

Regards,

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Shanthi.E

Follow up: Dr. Shanthi E (13 hours later)

Thank you.

I had an echocardiogram over a year ago - results were normal. I wasn't given an ejection fraction. The only heart-related medication I'm on is atorvastatin 20mg/day - it was helping, the last time I heard, but increased from 10mg.

I'm in between primary doctors and hope to see a cardiologist again soon, so don't have many more details for you.

The edema is not present all of the time, but a lot, especially in hot weather.

Other symptoms are sweating, again, especially in hot weather - but much more easily than seems normal (with just a little exertion in the heat) - and what feels like "hot flashes," though I'm post-menopausal.

One more question: Could the breathing/weakness/increased heart rate while walking be attributed to asthma?

I'll wait for your reply.

Thanks again.
XXXX

Answered by Dr. Shanthi E (4 hours later)

Brief Answer:
Not related to heart problem

Detailed Answer:
Hi XXXXXXX

Thank you for writing back with the details.

If the Echocardiogram was normal over a year ago, that grossly means the Ejection fraction was normal at that time as well. You are on Atorvastatin 20mg/day - this is given for high cholesterol problem. You can continue the medicine.

If the oedema is not present all the time, then it is not concerning.

The other symptoms that you are experiencing is likely related to your post menopausal status.

Yes, breathing/weakness/increased heart rate while walking can be attributed to asthma as well. In fact, any lung or heart problem can cause these symptoms.

Going by the picture overall, it seems to be not related to cardiac issues. So, you can just relax on this.

Take multivitamin supplements and calcium on regular basis. Do deep breathing exercises to alleviate your symptoms.

Wish you good health.

Take care!

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar