Question 1

I'm really worried about my 82-year-old grandmother. She's got this shrunk valve, and apparently, only a small part is still working. Her heart rate dropped a lot, so the doctors put in a temporary pacemaker. They said they're going to make it permanent soon. I'm wondering if it's a good idea for her to get a valve replacement surgery. Would it help her?

Accepted Answer

Given your grandmother's age and the severity of her heart valve condition, a valve replacement surgery may be a suitable option to improve her heart function and overall quality of life. However, the final decision should be made after a thorough evaluation by her healthcare team. In the meantime, it is important for her to continue taking her prescribed medications, such as beta-blockers like Metoprolol, at the appropriate dosage to help regulate her heart rate and manage her symptoms.

Question 2

I'm trying to understand a recent exercise test result and have some worries. During the Bruce Protocol, I lasted for just over 7 minutes and reached 10.10 METs. My heart rate hit 179 beats per minute, which is apparently 95% of what they'd expect as my maximum. They stopped the test at that point, saying I'd hit my target heart rate. There was no usual chest pain, but I'm still concerned about whether stopping because of the heart rate is normal. Does this result suggest any potential heart issues I should be aware of?

Accepted Answer

The patient's exercise performance on the Bruce Protocol is impressive, reaching a workload of 10.10 METs and achieving a peak heart rate of 179 beatsminute, which is 95% of the predicted maximum. Since the exercise was terminated due to reaching the target heart rate without experiencing classical angina, it indicates good cardiovascular fitness. For the blood pressure response, it would be ideal to monitor the patient's blood pressure during exercise and recovery to assess their cardiovascular health comprehensively. In this case, considering the patient's exercise capacity and heart rate response, it would be beneficial to continue monitoring their blood pressure during physical activity to ensure safety and optimal performance. As for medication, based on the information provided, I would recommend discussing with a healthcare provider for personalized advice on any necessary medications or adjustments to the current regimen.

Question 3

I'm having these episodes of anxiety throughout the day, and even when I'm calm and just doing my usual stuff, it sometimes feels like my heart skips a beat or beats really hard. It freaks me out. I can't tell if it's just the anxiety acting up or if there's something else going on. Any idea what's causing this? I'm really worried.

Accepted Answer

It sounds like you may be experiencing palpitations, which can be a common symptom of anxiety. However, it's important to rule out any other underlying medical conditions that may be causing these symptoms. I recommend you try taking Propranolol (Inderal) 10mg twice daily to help with both the anxiety and palpitations. Additionally, practicing relaxation techniques such as deep breathing exercises or mindfulness meditation may also be beneficial in managing your symptoms.

That could be due to anxiety visit Psychiatrist for evaluation and appropriate management

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