Heart question

• By momwithschleroderma
• Posted November 8, 2009 at 12:58 am
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I decided to join the Inspire group when I read your question. I think it is imperative that you find a good cardiologist as well as a pulmonary specialist. It is common for doctors to misdiagnose patients with scleroderma to have clogged arteries and not link the heart problem with having scleroderma. When my mother started to have shortness of breath and chest pain, it took several doctors to properly diagnose that the chest pain and shortness of breath are due to the tightening of the arteries from the scleroderma. I don't want to alarm you. I just want you to have a better opportunity to get proper medical treatment. Many patients with Scleroderma develop Pulmonary Hypertension which leads to Congenative heart failure. I learned a great deal about the fast progression of the disease when my mother was hospitalized. She passed away this month and I wish I knew more years ago. Early treatment is the key to survival. Find a good doctor and get a second opinion.

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• By J-ro
• Posted November 8, 2009 at 9:40 am
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GREAT. I have been having chest pains for a couple of days. I was hoping it was acid reflux. I go to a sclero specialist on the 16th. I will add this to my list of questions 4 him!

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• By momwithschleroderma
• Posted November 8, 2009 at 2:23 pm
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Hope I didn't upset you. I think that it is important to have access to great doctors and not to rely on the diagnosis of only one. Most doctors have difficulty pinpointing the exact cause of the blockage, when one of the most important thing a Scleroderma patient needs to monitor is chest pain and shortness of breath. I recommend you log on to the Pulmonary Hypertension Association: www.phassociation.org/ It will help with questions you might have and allow you to be better informed prior to visiting your doctor.

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• By PeggyPansy
• Posted November 9, 2009 at 3:40 pm
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Thank you for your replies. Your answers were very helpful and did not upset me.

I see the cardiologist on the 11th of this month and the rheum. on the 25th.

We'll see where we go from there.

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• By Mary49
• Posted November 11, 2009 at 10:54 am
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I can try to explain my situation. OK??

The RAynauds narrows the blood vessels in our hands, arms, feet and lower legs. The signifigants of this is that because of the narrowing it puts more pressure on the heart muscle to pump the blood thorough those vessels. I had a rapid heart rate due to this and the dr put me on Atenenol because I also have high blood pressure due to the same reason.

You might ask your dr about this issue.

Hope this helps but I now no longer have chest pain with exertion but I am starting to show shortness of breath.......

Good luck

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