Question 1

I've been having some concerns about my recent health check-up. My heart rate is around 55, and after a second ECG, it dropped to 52. The doctor had me do some additional tests, and my sodium is at 137, and potassium is 5.8. I'm not experiencing any shortness of breath or fatigue while going about my daily activities, but I do feel a bit light-headed and dizzy. How serious is this situation? Also, what should I do in terms of medication or diet to lower my potassium levels? Does adding salt and lemon to water affect my potassium levels at all? I'd appreciate any guidance you can provide.

Accepted Answer

The decrease in heart rate from 55 to 52 beats per minute on ECG may not be a significant concern on its own, but the high potassium level of 5.8 mmolL (normal range is typically 3.5-5.0 mmolL) could be a cause for your light-headedness and dizziness. High potassium levels can affect the heart's rhythm and lead to symptoms like weakness, fatigue, and palpitations. To lower your potassium levels, you can make dietary changes such as avoiding high-potassium foods like bananas, oranges, potatoes, and tomatoes. Additionally, you should limit salt intake as high sodium levels can affect potassium levels. Drinking salt water with lemon may not significantly affect your potassium levels, but it's best to avoid it for now. Your doctor may prescribe you with a medication called **Sodium Polystyrene Sulfonate** to help lower your potassium levels. The typical dosage is 15-60 grams daily, but your doctor will determine the appropriate dose for you based on your potassium levels. It's important to follow up with your doctor for further evaluation and management of your potassium levels. Make sure to follow a low-potassium diet and take the prescribed medication as directed to help normalize your potassium levels and alleviate your symptoms.

Question 2

I'm trying to figure out if there's a connection between height and the size of the ascending aorta. Like, for someone who's 6 feet tall and weighs 74 kg, what would be considered a normal size for the ascending aorta? Is there a direct link between these measurements?

Accepted Answer

For a 6 ft person weighing 74kg, the normal ascending aorta size is typically around 2.1 to 3.7 cm in diameter. There is a weak positive correlation between height and ascending aorta diameter, meaning that taller individuals may have slightly larger ascending aortas. However, this correlation is not strong enough to be used as a reliable predictor of aorta size.

Question 3

I'm a bit concerned about my husband's heart rate. His watch is recording a high pulse rate, sometimes hitting numbers as high as 160, 120, or 150, a few times a day. He doesn't have any symptoms, and his blood pressure is normal. We've done TMT, ECG, and echo tests, and they all came back normal. What could be causing these spikes?

Accepted Answer

It's good that all the cardiac tests have come back normal. A high pulse rate without any other symptoms can sometimes be due to factors such as stress, anxiety, dehydration, or even certain medications. However, since your husband is not experiencing any symptoms, it may be worth monitoring his pulse rate over a period of time to see if there are any patterns or triggers. In some cases, a high pulse rate can be a sign of an underlying condition such as an overactive thyroid gland or an arrhythmia. If the high pulse rate continues or if there are any other concerning symptoms, further evaluation by a healthcare provider may be necessary. In the meantime, it may be helpful to ensure that your husband stays hydrated, gets adequate rest, and manages stress levels.

If he is having triple vessel disease,he needs to u dergo Bypass surgery if not there is higher risk of sudden cardiac arrest, visit Cardiologist and follow their advice

More Cardiology Health Queries

I'm trying to figure out if there's a connection between height and the size of the ascending aorta. Like, for someone who's 6 feet tall and weighs 74 kg, what would be considered a normal size for the ascending aorta? Is there a direct link between these measurements?

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