Pulmonary Hypertension

My echo indicated pulmonary hypertension. Underwent a right heart catch, with a sedative, and was told my pressures were just fine. Well, Mayo thinks it was the sedative that reduced the pressures. I have no symptoms but mine is caused by heart failure and a severely leaking tricuspid valve.

Hi @maryd,

I'm tagging fellow members @tvashon @kashanimn @racerjon @cognac @ornelasrebecca @lyndylou @windwalker to bring them into this great discussion about living with pulmonary hypertension.

@maryd Hi Mary. I have mild pulmonary hypertention, and it is due to my other lung issues that are much more serious. The doctor hasn't said anything more to me about it, except "We will keep an eye on it." I really can't help with this one, but if you are seeing drs at Mayo; I would think they are accurate in your diagnosis. Of course, if you feel in your gut that more is going on, by all means keep searching. That is how I found my answers. Best of luck to you, and let us know what you find out.

Would you mind sharing what your symptoms are from the heart failure and leaky tricuspid valve? Also, what year was your Right heart cath performed? My doctor wants to do a right heart cath while awake and exercising on a bicycle. Maybe they realize they can not pick up pulmonary hypertension if patients are sedated.

I had some slight shortness of breath when exercising and had seen a cardiologist for palpitations. He was keeping an eye on things but then, in 2015, I went into Afib. The Dr. in Florida told me I had a severely leaking tricuspid valve and needed surgery so off to Mayo I went.
I chose to further search to see what had caused the Afib. That is when they did the right heart cath. I was awake and they had me lift arm weights several times during the procedure. The Afib is my primary symptom and it is pretty constant. Controlling the rate is the choice of treatment for now. Considering an ablation.

Hello and thank you for sharing your story. Did you have the tricuspid valve repaired or replaced at Mayo? Was the A-fib caused by the leaky tricuspid valve? You also mentioned heart failure. Are you still having symptoms of heart failure? If so, what are they?

@bjanderson Good morning. Sorry to hear that you hae Afib. I know what it is like to have your heart race and be short of breath. I have SVT superventricular tachycardia. SVT is like Afib's little cousin. Mine used to bother me constantly. I was put on heart meds and that keeps it in check. I was facing possible ablasion also. A friend of mine who also had SVT did get the ablation done, and is very glad that she did. I understand that afib can be dangerous. It increases the likelihood of stroke. How long have you been on your meds for this?

Hi @windwalker. I’ve been on Xarelto for 2 years. So far so good! Afib is not fun and am hoping the Cardizem and Metoprolol keep mine in check. Had a bothersome night last night. Could feel the Afib beats when trying to sleep. Ugh! Could be much worse, I know. I’d get the ablation ASAP if I knew it would work. What meds do you take?

Hi. I have not had my valve replaced or repaired. Mayo doesn’t want to do it, at least not yet. I believe it is a pretty risky surgery. The Afib is a puzzle. Not sure if it’s the heart failure or the tricuspid valve that is causing it. Perhaps they both lend to the problem. However, my tricuspid valve was moderately leaking back in 2005 and my pulmonary pressures were elevated. Next problem, to occur, was the Afib in 2015. Went for 3 years with Afib under control with meds. It is the main symptom of my heart failure along with some shortness of breath.

I would have them do a right heart cath. If they still refuse, insist. This is one test that will almost certainly tell if you have PH. Stress tests and echos are good but not always the most reliable. I had a stress test done on a Tuesday that showed everything was fine. Two days later on Thursday a heart cath showed six blockages with three of them being stented.