Question 1

I'm really concerned about my mom. She had a heart attack at the end of October and initially had some anginal pain, but the meds seemed to help for a couple of months. After an angiography, her doctor found an 85% blockage in the LCX OM artery and decided to do an angioplasty. I was hoping that would improve things, but a month later, her LVEF dropped from 45 to 32. Before the angioplasty, her heart was stable, and the dimensions of the left atrium and ventricle seemed normal, but now they're dilated. I was expecting her to get better after the angioplasty and I'm really worried. It's just me and my mom, and I need some guidance on what could be happening. Can you help?

Accepted Answer

The drop in LVEF after angioplasty may be due to various factors such as the extent of the heart muscle damage from the heart attack, the response to the stent placement, or potential complications post-procedure. To help improve her heart function and prevent further deterioration, her doctor may consider adding medications like Carvedilol (Coreg) to help improve heart function and reduce strain on the heart. Additionally, medications like Lisinopril (Zestril) may be prescribed to help reduce the risk of future heart-related events. It's important for your mother to follow up regularly with her cardiologist for monitoring her heart function and adjusting her treatment plan as needed. Encouraging her to maintain a healthy lifestyle with a balanced diet, regular exercise, and stress management can also support her heart health. Stay positive and supportive for your mother during this challenging time

Question 2

I recently bought an oximeter and noticed something that puzzled me. When I checked my levels while resting, it showed 95 bpm, 99 SpO2, and 7 PI. But after a little exercise, it went up to 130 bpm, 99 SpO2, and the PI dropped to 2. Ive experienced palpitations and panic attacks before, so my heart rate sometimes spikes to 180 during exercise. I had medical tests done a few months ago, which were all normal. What I'm confused about is why my PI drops so low with higher bpm? Can you shed some light on this?

Accepted Answer

The Perfusion Index (PI) is a measure of the strength of your pulse and the blood flow to your finger. A low PI% can indicate poor circulation or weak pulse strength. In your case, the decrease in PI% after exercising may be due to increased heart rate and blood flow redistribution to other parts of the body, leading to a weaker pulse signal at the oximeter sensor. This is common during physical activity when the body prioritizes blood flow to muscles and organs. To address this concern, you can try to ensure a good sensor placement on your finger, stay well-hydrated, and avoid excessive movement during oximetry readings. If you continue to have concerns about your PI% readings, it would be advisable to consult with your healthcare provider for further evaluation and guidance

Question 3

I'm having some discomfort in my chest when I masturbate, especially in the middle and left side. It doesn't hurt a lot, just a little, but it's noticeable. At first, I thought it might be because I was overweight, so I lost some weight and now I'm down to 67 kg, but the pain is still there. I even tried stopping for a month, thinking it was because I was doing it too often, like 3-4 times a week, but the pain came back when I started again. I'm a bit embarrassed to talk to my friends or family about this, but is there something else that could be causing it?

Accepted Answer

dermat opinion for further evaluation

I've got my ECG results, and it mentions left axis deviation and early repolarization. I'm 21 and male, and I'm really confused about what this means for my health. Should I be worried about being medically unfit? What should I do next?

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