Question 1

Hey, I had a heart attack three months ago and I initially thought it was just a gastric issue, so I didn't go to the hospital right away. I was working normally until I went in for a routine check-up a few days later and they told me I had a heart attack. They did an angioplasty and put a stent in my LAD, and everything seemed to go well. Now, I'm doing a morning walk every day, around 6 km in an hour. I'm a 47-year-old guy and I'm just wondering, when would be a good time for me to go for a stress echo?

Accepted Answer

Given that you had a heart attack three months ago and have since undergone successful angioplasty with stent placement, its important to follow your cardiologist's advice for follow-up care. Typically, a stress echo is recommended several months after the procedure to evaluate how well your heart is functioning under stress and to ensure that the stent is working effectively. You should consult with your cardiologist to determine the best timing for this test based on your individual recovery and health status. Its great that you are walking daily; continue following your doctor's guidance on physical activity and medication.

Question 2

I've been experiencing this weird irregular and thumping heartbeat but there's no chest pain. It's just this uncomfortable feeling in my chest, especially when I drink water or eat. It makes it hard to take a deep breath. I went to the doctor and they suggested an ECG, which came out normal. It went away for a couple of days but now it's back again. What could be causing this?

Accepted Answer

It sounds like you may be experiencing symptoms of palpitations and difficulty breathing. These symptoms can be caused by various factors such as anxiety, dehydration, caffeine intake, or underlying heart conditions like arrhythmias. Since your ECG results were normal, it is important to rule out other possible causes. I recommend you to try to stay hydrated, avoid excessive caffeine intake, and manage stress levels. Additionally, you can take a beta-blocker like Metoprolol 25mg once daily to help regulate your heartbeat and reduce palpitations. If symptoms persist or worsen, further evaluation by a cardiologist may be necessary.

Question 3

I'm noticing my heartbeat feels really strong and visible in my stomach and chest all the time. Sometimes when I'm just sitting, it actually makes my body move with each beat. Is that something normal? My heart rate usually sits between 70 to 80 beats per minute, and my blood pressure is around 12090. Does that sound okay?

Accepted Answer

Having a visible heartbeat in your stomach and chest, along with feeling strong pulsations, can be concerning. This may be due to a condition called aortic aneurysm or other cardiovascular issues. Your blood pressure of 12090 is slightly elevated and should be monitored. It's important to consult a cardiologist for further evaluation and management.

I'm feeling a bit anxious because I've had my mitral valve replaced with a mechanical one and now I need to be on Acitron, a blood thinner, for the rest of my life. Could you tell me which foods I should be steering clear of? I'm worried about how my diet might affect my condition.

As your doctor, Id advise you to avoid foods high in vitamin K, like spinach, kale, and broccoli, as they can interfere with Acitrons effectiveness. Limit alcohol, grapefruit, and cranberry products, and always maintain a consistent diet to avoid fluctuations in your INR levels.

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