Karla
Hi everyone. My name is Karla and I was diagnosed with an Aortic aneurysm 3 weeks ago. I was sick and was taken to the emergency room where my heart rate dropped to 36 beats per minute. They admitted me and the cardiologist ordered a bunch of tests. The echocardiogram found the anuerysm. He says I need to be monitored closely so I have to go back in August. I'm only 38, I have not had any children yet and I'm very nervous. For over a year and a half I've been feeling very tired and run down no matter how much rest I get and I have a persistant pain in the cente rof my chest. My cardiologist wants me to pay attention to everything and keep track of any pain or discomfort I feel. I was also diagnosed with aortic regurgitation. I was diagnosed with Mitral Valve Prolapse when I was 20. I only had 1 echocardiogram afert that diagnosis and it was never really monitored. I just was told to take medication before going to the dentist. In 1994 I moved to another state and my new doctor wanted an echo for her files. No aneurysm was detected then. I changed doctors in 1999 and again had another echo and again there was no sign of the aneurysm. The doctor is concerned about that. I feel stupid calling my doctor to tell him about every little pain, even though he's encouraged me to call him if I have questions or concerns. I just don't want to seem like a hypochondriac. How do you all handle this? Did you become more aware of the chest pain and the fatigue after your diagnosis. As I said, I've been experiencing the fatigue and chest pains for quite awhile but I'm more aware of them now because I'm paying attention. Did you call your doctor to report it? I just need to know if I'm overreacting or not. Thanks for any and all feed back.