Submitted by Dr T on January 16, 2013 – 5:05pm
Question:
Hi, last year I had a routine operation which resulted in the surgeon somehow tearing my spleen.I lost a lot of blood and had to have 2 blood transfusions and was in ITU for a week.After this happened I developed PTSD and was very, very stressed, depressed and anxious.
I have had numerous chest xrays since this and all were normal until Feb 2012 when they started reporting ‘Heart size on the upper limits of normal’. I do suffer with palpitations and chest pain, but was told it was my severe anxiety.
I asked my Dr for an Echocardiogram and had it 2 weeks ago. I am worried about the results, especially since before Feb 2012 (started the pregabalin then also), my heart xrays had been normal. The echo says the left ventricle is on the upper limits of normal but that the heart is pumping fine and all is normal. It states ‘no recommended follow up’. Im really worried, as looking at the numbers, and researching them have shown me a different interpretation… but Im no doctor so I dont know.
Im 29, female and not that fit after the operation which I had 1 year and a half ago. I eat healthily. I am very worried about these results but wonder why the reporting cardiologist isnt?
Please, any advice or reassurance would really help me,
I have had numerous chest xrays since this and all were normal until Feb 2012 when they started reporting ‘Heart size on the upper limits of normal’. I do suffer with palpitations and chest pain, but was told it was my severe anxiety.
I asked my Dr for an Echocardiogram and had it 2 weeks ago. I am worried about the results, especially since before Feb 2012 (started the pregabalin then also), my heart xrays had been normal. The echo says the left ventricle is on the upper limits of normal but that the heart is pumping fine and all is normal. It states ‘no recommended follow up’. Im really worried, as looking at the numbers, and researching them have shown me a different interpretation… but Im no doctor so I dont know.
Im 29, female and not that fit after the operation which I had 1 year and a half ago. I eat healthily. I am very worried about these results but wonder why the reporting cardiologist isnt?
Please, any advice or reassurance would really help me,
Hi Charlotte,
The cardiologist only interpreted the cardiac echo (normal), he did not consult on your condition. That said, I don’t see an indication to get a cardiologist involved with your care from what you have told me.
The “routine operation” must had something to do with your stomach – could it have been a bariatric operation for obesity? If so, the ‘Heart size on the upper limits of normal’ could be the result of early changes seen with hypertension, called hypertrophic cardiomyopathy.
Hope this helps,
Dr T