I have a leaky heart valve

[judy]

Originally Posted by gja1000

You may have a murmur that comes and goes. actually one that can be heard sometimes and not heard at other times. (i'm using my daughter's netbook computer and the shift key is too hard to use, so no caps). that kind of murmur is not at all serious.

they will likely do an ekg, and an echocardiogram. neither are invasive and don't take much time. you'll do fine.

i agree with yoou, your lack of energy is likely anmeia rather than anything heart related.

any blood pressure that is consistenly above 120 (on the top number) (and above 80 on the bottom number) is cause for concern and should be treated. the word consistantly is the key. you should get an automatic bp cuff and take it at home 2-3 times a day and see what it is over time. it has been suggested that high blood pressure, even a little high, can damage the white matter of our brain (among other things) and cause mental changes as we age. they wont treat a bp of 130/70 unlesss the top number stays above 120 all the time

Thanks Gayle. I should have taken a BP cuff when I retired from teaching! We had some in the science room. I'll see if the drug store has a cuff.

[Blueyes]

I'm so sorry that you are having problems! Remember that your blood pressure might be a little high due to the stress of the situation. Good luck, and keep us updated.

[gja1000]

The drugstore should have a cuff, for sure. I just bought a manual cuff at walgreens for 15.00. If you don't know how to take a bp manually, then get an automatic cuff. It will cost a little more. It is something everyone should have just to check their own bp every now and then, or frequently, if there is a problem.

Many people have white coat syndrome, where the bp is higher in the office, even in the absence of stress or anxiety - we have no clue why it happens to some people. Others are stressed and anxious about being in the dr. office.

Anyway, if you think you might be having a bp problem, then you should be checking it at home. High blood pressure can cause so many problems, and it is so easily treated!!!

[Mandy]

Try not to panic, there is so much they can do these days, i hope you get results soon, it will ease your mind.
Keeping you in my thoughts and prayers always!!

[Forgivenmom5]

Judy you will be in my prayers. When I first suspected I had cancer I went online and that is one reason I didn't go to the doctor. I really thought it was hopeless so I have learned not to rely on the internet for medical information. Maybe this will be simple to treat and you will feel better soon.

[Shada]

Thinking of you Judy and praying this will turn out to be nothing serious.

{{HUGS}}

[judy]

I'm going for a blood test on Thursday. Jessie said she is coming with me on Monday for the cardiology tests. I'm not sure that will work. I think it may take several hours. I'm having an EKG, an echo cardiogram, a cardiac consultation to see if I can take a stress test, and a chest x-ray to see the size of my heart.

They are thorough up here!!! I think I will know whatever I need to within the next 2 weeks.

I'm watching Dr., Phil right now and they're talking about a lack of energy, etc. associated with menopause. I'm already on a very low dose of FHT, which I just cut down to 3/week. I have been on them for 12 years now and really do not want to continue for too long. Bioidentical hormones sound pretty safe, but I have symptoms that are not helped by that kind. (Or so I was told).

Truthfully, I do not trust doctors 100%. I have seen diagnoses match the specialist you see way too often. I have also been told so many different things about the same issue by different doctors. Medical science is not an absolute.

I do think I trust an EKG, etc. though - so we will see.