I was wondering if anyone else has been diagnosed with Heart Disease? I am 25 years old and was dx two weeks ago. I know that PCOS can lead to heart disease but I didn't realize it could happen so quickly or when you are relatively young. I just wanted to see if there was anyone else.
__________________
To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 0 or greater. You currently have 0 posts.
To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 0 or greater. You currently have 0 posts.
Awhile back (several years) I recall reading a post from the mother of a cyster who had died from a heart attack. The mom wanted to urge cysters to take care of themselves, and seek better care than her daughter had (apparently, after the cyster's passing, her doctor's told the mother that some of her blockage could have possibly been avoided if she had had better treatment for her PCOS.
It's been several years since that post, so I might have some of the details incorrect, but it was such a heartfelt plea to the women here to take care of themselves that it moved many who read it to tears...
__________________
Hey, SoulCysters! Need to eat more veggies, but can't find recipes??
To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 0 or greater. You currently have 0 posts.
DES and PCOS
(second page, about the 5th post from the end.)
ETA
I don't mean to scare you with the posts, but those were the only ones I could find that were somewhat relevant. Did your docs say it was advanced, or did you catch it early?
__________________
Hey, SoulCysters! Need to eat more veggies, but can't find recipes??
To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 0 or greater. You currently have 0 posts.
i can definately relate to you.... i am 32 now but in 2001 (when i was 25) i was diagnosed with Coronary Artery Disease (heart disease).
At that time I was smoking and taking birth control, overweight, high blood pressure. I had high c-reactive protein and homocysteine levels. (btw you should get those checked, if they are high you should be on folic acid) plus pcos and family history. homocystein and c-reactive protein are indicators of inflammation.
they are finding big connections between inflammation and heart disease. inflammation causes damage in the artery wall, your body produces placque in that area to heal the artery. well that placque narrows the artery. all it takes is a little blood clot to travel through the narrowed artery and heart attack happens.
luckily i did NOT have a heart attack, there was no damage but I now have a stent in my left anterior descending coronary artery. I had a second cardiac catherization in 2005 and all the other arteries were clear and the stent was still keeping the artery open.
please, please make sure you at least talk to a councelor about this diagnosis. having pcos we often have depression but also i work with a lot of cardiac patients and this is one area that cardiologist often overlook. the depression/ heart disease connection. especially being so young. it is a LOT to deal with. something that makes you come face to face with your own mortality is a lot to handle at that age. i wish someone would have told me that at the time.
pm me anytime... even if its just to talk... i've learned a lot in the last 6 years. one thing i learned is it isn't a death sentence. there are lots of things you can do to take care of yourself. good luck.
__________________ ~Marion mom to 6 siberian husky babies 3 sets of littermates Maggie & Mollie 04/25/01 Sadie & Sophie 08/10/02 Hannah & Harley 04/27/06
M 32 DH 33 together since Jan 98, married 09/23/00 To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 0 or greater. You currently have 0 posts.
btw... i've always hated this but at work there is so much attention placed on breast cancer awareness.... MORE WOMEN DIE EACH YEAR OF HEART DISEASE THAN ALL THE CANCERS COMBINED. Heart disease is the number 1 KILLER of men AND women. (in the US) I know breast caner is a big problem, but most women think that breast cancer is the number one killer. so they get mammo's every year, but do nothing about the shortness of breath or shoulder pain they've been having.
WOMEN HAVE DIFFERENT SYMPTOMS THAN MEN USUALLY: many women experience jaw pain, arm pain, shoulder pain, break out in a sweat w/ shortness of breath... etc...
lung cancer kills more women each year than breast cancer... and still the advertising and awareness levels are way off in this country. (i'm not trying to upset anyone with breast cancer, i know it is horrible...i'm sorry it has affected you) but i think it is a male driven industry that spends so much time worrying about saving women's boobs and not giving a crap about their hearts... (most radiology departments have huge campaigns in october for breast cancer awareness month, get your mammo and barely anything in february for heart disease awareness month.)
__________________ ~Marion mom to 6 siberian husky babies 3 sets of littermates Maggie & Mollie 04/25/01 Sadie & Sophie 08/10/02 Hannah & Harley 04/27/06
M 32 DH 33 together since Jan 98, married 09/23/00 To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 0 or greater. You currently have 0 posts.
So sorry to hear about your dx. What symptoms led you to visit your doctor? I've been having palpitations like crazy and sometimes chest pain. I'm really worried b/c my dad died from congestive heart failure & CAD and my aunt had to have a heart transplant. So heart problems run rampant in my family on both sides.
__________________
Rhonda-32 To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 0 or greater. You currently have 0 posts. DH-36
btw... i've always hated this but at work there is so much attention placed on breast cancer awareness.... MORE WOMEN DIE EACH YEAR OF HEART DISEASE THAN ALL THE CANCERS COMBINED. Heart disease is the number 1 KILLER of men AND women. (in the US) I know breast caner is a big problem, but most women think that breast cancer is the number one killer. so they get mammo's every year, but do nothing about the shortness of breath or shoulder pain they've been having.
WOMEN HAVE DIFFERENT SYMPTOMS THAN MEN USUALLY: many women experience jaw pain, arm pain, shoulder pain, break out in a sweat w/ shortness of breath... etc...
lung cancer kills more women each year than breast cancer... and still the advertising and awareness levels are way off in this country. (i'm not trying to upset anyone with breast cancer, i know it is horrible...i'm sorry it has affected you) but i think it is a male driven industry that spends so much time worrying about saving women's boobs and not giving a crap about their hearts... (most radiology departments have huge campaigns in october for breast cancer awareness month, get your mammo and barely anything in february for heart disease awareness month.)
I agree!!
My mother had a heart attack that was caught just in the nick of time. She was traveling abroad and wasn't feeling well. She was very sluggish and couldn't keep up with my Dad in the airport and on tours. Her other symptom was the feeling that she had a pill stuck in her throat. She made it back from her trip and my Dad made her go to the doctor who was able to tell that she was in trouble. They made it to the ER just in time.
I am so sorry for you dx. I hope you are able to reverse things since they caught it so early.
Take care ladies!
P.S. I remember that post from the mother. It was so sad.
__________________ ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
me,age 32
dh, age 33
ds, Luke-10/30/02 (Gonal F/IUI)
Met ER 1500mg
Prenatals and extra Folic Acid
Expecting Twins To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 0 or greater. You currently have 0 posts.
To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 0 or greater. You currently have 0 posts. (Gonal F/IUI)EDD:11/11/04
Claire and Helen born October 2, 2004
Claire(5#11oz) and Helen(4#14oz)
To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 0 or greater. You currently have 0 posts.
October 30, 2002 My Sweetheart!!
To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 0 or greater. You currently have 0 posts.
Kat~ Thank you so much for finding those articles for me. They might be scary but I'd rather be informed. Thanks again!
Alexander~ I'm not quite sure of my new diagnosis.. When he told me the results of the echocardiogram I kinda dazed out. I don't remember half of what he said. (stupid I know) But I am going back Sept. 11 armed with a list of questions so I will know more then.
mluvsd~ Thank you for telling me a bit of your story. I have to admit that the dx felt a little like a death sentence. It's nice to know that it doesn't have to be.
Re: Breast Cancer Awareness.. I am one of the biggest supporters lol. I never even thought about Heart Disease. I have a house full of pink products to prove it. Looks like I will have a new cause to support.
Paiges mom~ I would go to the Dr. if I were you and demand testing.. Probably a Holter moniter. I had palpitations and chest pains since I was about 20. They told me it was anxiety and put me on a cocktail of psych meds that never helped. They seriously must have changed my meds 10 times and NOTHING worked. But I could never get my heart to do the funny beating in front of a Dr. Then I went in because I had hurt my hip and the electric BP machine wouldn't work on me so the nurse took it manually and called in the Dr. He said I was in Atrial Fibrillation. (When the heart "flutters" crazily instead of beating properly) and my heart rate was between 220 and 250. They rushed me to the hospital via ambulance. The ER Dr. said I could have died had it not been caught. So to be on the safe side I would have then do a 24 hour holter on you so they can see what goes on with your heart for a full 24 hours.
Moonshot~ Thanks for the encouragement and the description of symptoms. For some reason I always thought if I were having a heart attack I'd know it. (i.e. falling over clutching my chest) But it seems that kind of thing is reserved for Hollywood.
Me~ So I got the AFib dx in October 2005. They tested like crazy but couldn't find out why. (A-Fib is very common but only in those over 60) The Dr. literally told me the offical "cause" was GOK, God Only Knows. I got pregnant in Aug 2006 and had a healthy uncomplicated pregnancy. They did several echo's and found that my heart was perfect, just the electrical impulses that cause it to beat were off. It's called lone A-Fib.. Meaning there is no other problems or underlying cause.
When I had my DD in May 2007 they did an echo the day after her birth and told me that my heart had begun to enlarge and blood was pooling in my right atrium putting me at high stroke risk. I left the hospital, went to see my Cardiologist the next week and he said the echo report from the hospital stated that the echo was normal. I was sooo confused. So he got me on the schedule for another echo which I had Aug 8. Thats when he dropped the bomb. Added to the A-Fib my heart is enlarged particularly the right atrium and left ventricle. And there is indeed a pool of blood in my right atrium due to the fact that my heart has lost the ability to squeeze all the blood out of the chamber appropriately. When blood sits it clots, thus putting me in a high risk category for stroke and pullmonary embollism. There is also a small blockage somewhere.. I don't know.. I lost him about this point. So I'm not sure of the dx but he did say that if my heart continues to enlarge only a heart transplant would save my life. So I am dieting, exercising, taking a pharmacy worth of medicine and hoping for the best.
__________________
To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 0 or greater. You currently have 0 posts.
To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 0 or greater. You currently have 0 posts.
Isaiahsmommy - Thank you so much for the info. I did wear a holter about 10 years ago and have had 2 echos. I just had an echo last year and they said everything looked normal. I know my heart certainly doesn't feel normal when it starts palpitating and fluttering. I guess I should make another appt. I really hope everything works out for you. Please keep us posted on your progress and I'll be praying for you & your family.
__________________
Rhonda-32 To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 0 or greater. You currently have 0 posts. DH-36
First I just have to give you a (((((HUG)))))). That must have been scary to hear. Sounds like you are lucky that they suggested the echo after your daughters birth. At least they can treat you for your condition and keep a close eye on you. Please keep us all informed on how you are doing. I have a fast resting heart rate its different then A-fib. It is just fast all the time. Little things can make it worse like acid reflux and anxiety and stress. the most fusterating part is they say they don't know why. I had ekgs, echo's, holter moniters all come back as tachycardia but say that my condition is not harmful to me and it is benign. I have a hard time believing that. I'm TTC right now and it scares me to think how this might affect me while I'm PG and if the stress of PG would do any damage to my heart. Do you take any medication for the a-fib?? Please let us know how you are doing and any new news you find out. You will be in my prayers. ((((HUGS))))
Alexander~ I can't believe they let you just walk around in tachycardia! When my heart rate goes above 160 or so they will slap an IV in and start the heart meds. Then again I have a tendancy to pass out when my heart rate is up.
I went to see my GYN and my cardiologist yesterday. GYN said my insulin levels are off the charts and that is probably what helped cause the problems I am having now. Cardiologist said that this is the beginning stage of Congestive Heart Failure. I felt like he had socked me in the stomach when he said that. But he did say that it is treatable and in some cases reversable. So added to my heart medication and blood thinner I started Met again today (and feel awful ) That combined with a low glycemic diet and plenty of exercise is the game plan. I will go for another echo in October to check the size of my heart and see if what I'm doing is working.
__________________
To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 0 or greater. You currently have 0 posts.
To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 0 or greater. You currently have 0 posts.
Isaiahsmommy-I guess from what they have told me anything above 100 resting heart rate is considered Tachycardia. I did go to the emergency room when it once got up to 160 and they did give me beta blocker through my IV to slow it down. It seems to go up when i have acid reflux i guess there is a nerve by your heart that the reflux can effect. normally it doesn't go that high resting it usually stays around 100. After I eat it always goes up. And goes up quick with exersice.
You said your insulin levels where very high do you have diabetes? When your were pg did you? Well Congestive heart failure is one scary dx but how great it is that it can be controlled and even reversed with life style changes. That is so great to hear. You can do it!!!! I can't wait to hear your results in October I think they will be better. Ok I hear you about the met making you sick. I've tried to take met and I was so sick even at a small does it was brutal on the stomach. I'll be keeping you in my prayers and hoping you get better quick.
I'm an nurse on a telemetry floor (heart monitor), so maybe I can help a bit.
Isaiah's mom: With the CHF (congestive heart failure), did they mention anything about salt/sodium restriction, in your diet? The reason I ask, is that water (fluid) will follow the sodium in your bloodstreem and will overload your circulatory system. This extra fluid is more than your heart can handle, and you'll go into CHF (an exacerbation, or acute attack). This will usually only happen, once your CHF has progressed and your heart is pretty weakened (ie, usually in 60+ year olds, that eat huge holiday dinners with lotsa sodium!). The excess fluid will then pool into your ankles & feet (which the medical staff should be assessing), as well as possibly accumulating in your lungs, making you short of breath (hence, if you're at home, gain 2+lbs of water weight in one day, notice your clothes are tighter and your feet swelling, and shortness of breath,...get to the ER immediately!!!!!)
I'm just curious what meds they started you on? (sorry, hafta be nosey!!!!)
Also, I'm sure the reason that they rushed to get your heart rate down (in atrial fibrillation) whereas they weren't too concerned with alexanders heart rate in the 160's: When A. Fib is rapid (anything over 120ish), the likelihood of throwing a clot is much higher (sending a clot out of the heart to the body, possibly causing a heart attack, stroke or pulmonary embolisim in the lungs...all of which are not good, of course). That's why they were rushing around to get your heartrate back down.
Alexander: sometimes they can't find reasons for sinus tachycardia (normal rhythm & electrical conduction, just a rapid rate). We see patients' shoot up to 200+ merely cuz they get up & walk around, or go to the bathroom. They are completely fine, with stable vitals, no sensation of palpitations, etc. Did your docs start you on any cardiac meds to keep it from shooting up???
And, in regards to the CAD (coronary artery disease...blocking/narrowing of the arteries), hypertension, diabetes, high cholesterol & obesity ALL increase the risk of the arteries narrowing. So, merely having PCOS puts us at a large increased risk for CAD (thereby elevating the risk for stroke, heart attack & pulmonary embolism). Guess it sorta sucks... But just one of those things we've gotta deal with, right?!?
I personally have cardiac issues, purely secondary to my high blood pressure. MY heart cannot handle the stress of exercising (merely a 15 minutes MODERATE paced walk will send my HR to 150+, and BP to 180/112...and I'm only 25 years old. I used to run, swim, everything, but I can't now. I was just started on a beta-blocker, to help my heart pump more efficiently and hopefully increase my exercise tolerance).
Sorry to steal the post
Hope I helped a lil & didn't say too much!!!
I think the important thing to remember (about BOTH CHF and CAD is that they are treatable & managable with lifestyle modification.)
good luck & keep us updated
__________________ XOXO
Tara
chest pain/shortness of breath since 16 (24 now)
irregular periods since 13/no periods withough BCP
official PCOS diagnosis August 2002
general & pulmonary hypertension
sleep apnea MEDS:
1000mg glucophage (IR)
240mg Tiazac (BP)
160mg Diovan (BP)
Yasmin
UPPP 11/16- hopefully this will work!
To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 0 or greater. You currently have 0 posts.
"For once you have tasted flight, you walk the Earth with your eyes turned skyward; for there you have been and there you long to return."
Heart Disease 
Looks like I will have a new cause to support.
