Patrick Carter said:That shortness of breath, heart skipping beats, arrhythmia, etc.—it could actually be a side effect of your medication (Concor) if the dosage isn't dialed in right. How long have you been on it, and what's the dose? Also, have you noticed any swelling in your legs—like your ankles or feet?
Based on what you're describing, you really need a full blood panel. Chronic anemia can cause massive fatigue, and there are plenty of reasons for that: underlying issues, iron absorption problems, certain medications, you name it.
But if you're getting winded from basic movement as you described, you should also have your ejection fraction checked—basically, how well your heart is pumping. There's a nuclear medicine test called a MUGA scan that checks this. They might have already looked at something similar via ultrasound. It's possible you're dealing with cardiomyopathy—where the heart muscle itself is weakened—which would explain the shortness of breath and rapid exhaustion.
When were you diagnosed with angina pectoris? That's the condition where narrowed arteries don't deliver enough oxygen to the heart muscle, usually causing chest pain after exertion. Typically, that sharp pain under the breastbone lasts for about 5 or 10 minutes before subsiding. It almost always triggers after physical activity.
Concor is used for high blood pressure. Have you had hypertension, and what are your readings looking like now? What's your pulse?
Getting exhausted from simple tasks isn't typical for panic attacks. How's your sleep? Do you find yourself needing to prop yourself up with extra pillows because breathing is difficult?
Either way, you need a follow-up with a cardiologist to adjust your meds based on the results. If your current doctor isn't helping, find a new one. Like I said, the air hunger and arrhythmias could be side effects of the drug. Tell your doctor about it and ask about switching to an ACE inhibitor (that's the class of drug, not the brand name).
So, I started taking Concor about a week or two ago, but honestly, these issues didn't start with the medication. They actually began about two months back. Since then, everything has just been getting worse and worse. Over the last few days, I’ve hit a wall—I can barely get anything done. I can't even increase my dosage because my heart rate drops way too low. What am I supposed to do?
Patrick Carter said:That shortness of breath, heart skipping beats, arrhythmia, etc.—it could actually be a side effect of your medication (Concor) if the dosage isn't dialed in right. How long have you been on it, and what's the dose? Also, have you noticed any swelling in your legs—like your ankles or feet?
Based on what you're describing, you really need a full blood panel. Chronic anemia can cause massive fatigue, and there are plenty of reasons for that: underlying issues, iron absorption problems, certain medications, you name it.
But if you're getting winded from basic movement as you described, you should also have your ejection fraction checked—basically, how well your heart is pumping. There's a nuclear medicine test called a MUGA scan that checks this. They might have already looked at something similar via ultrasound. It's possible you're dealing with cardiomyopathy—where the heart muscle itself is weakened—which would explain the shortness of breath and rapid exhaustion.
When were you diagnosed with angina pectoris? That's the condition where narrowed arteries don't deliver enough oxygen to the heart muscle, usually causing chest pain after exertion. Typically, that sharp pain under the breastbone lasts for about 5 or 10 minutes before subsiding. It almost always triggers after physical activity.
Concor is used for high blood pressure. Have you had hypertension, and what are your readings looking like now? What's your pulse?
Getting exhausted from simple tasks isn't typical for panic attacks. How's your sleep? Do you find yourself needing to prop yourself up with extra pillows because breathing is difficult?
Either way, you need a follow-up with a cardiologist to adjust your meds based on the results. If your current doctor isn't helping, find a new one. Like I said, the air hunger and arrhythmias could be side effects of the drug. Tell your doctor about it and ask about switching to an ACE inhibitor (that's the class of drug, not the brand name).
I actually went through all those tests just last month. My bloodwork came back perfect—blood sugar, iron levels, everything was right where it should be. Even my EKG looked totally fine. Everything seems solid on paper!
Patrick Carter said:That shortness of breath, heart skipping beats, arrhythmia, etc.—it could actually be a side effect of your medication (Concor) if the dosage isn't dialed in right. How long have you been on it, and what's the dose? Also, have you noticed any swelling in your legs—like your ankles or feet?
Based on what you're describing, you really need a full blood panel. Chronic anemia can cause massive fatigue, and there are plenty of reasons for that: underlying issues, iron absorption problems, certain medications, you name it.
But if you're getting winded from basic movement as you described, you should also have your ejection fraction checked—basically, how well your heart is pumping. There's a nuclear medicine test called a MUGA scan that checks this. They might have already looked at something similar via ultrasound. It's possible you're dealing with cardiomyopathy—where the heart muscle itself is weakened—which would explain the shortness of breath and rapid exhaustion.
When were you diagnosed with angina pectoris? That's the condition where narrowed arteries don't deliver enough oxygen to the heart muscle, usually causing chest pain after exertion. Typically, that sharp pain under the breastbone lasts for about 5 or 10 minutes before subsiding. It almost always triggers after physical activity.
Concor is used for high blood pressure. Have you had hypertension, and what are your readings looking like now? What's your pulse?
Getting exhausted from simple tasks isn't typical for panic attacks. How's your sleep? Do you find yourself needing to prop yourself up with extra pillows because breathing is difficult?
Either way, you need a follow-up with a cardiologist to adjust your meds based on the results. If your current doctor isn't helping, find a new one. Like I said, the air hunger and arrhythmias could be side effects of the drug. Tell your doctor about it and ask about switching to an ACE inhibitor (that's the class of drug, not the brand name).
I haven't been officially diagnosed with angina yet, but I'll be getting a coronary angiography done pretty soon.
I’m not really feeling any sharp pain, honestly. It feels more like this heavy pressure in my chest every once in a while.
Patrick Carter said:That shortness of breath, heart skipping beats, arrhythmia, etc.—it could actually be a side effect of your medication (Concor) if the dosage isn't dialed in right. How long have you been on it, and what's the dose? Also, have you noticed any swelling in your legs—like your ankles or feet?
Based on what you're describing, you really need a full blood panel. Chronic anemia can cause massive fatigue, and there are plenty of reasons for that: underlying issues, iron absorption problems, certain medications, you name it.
But if you're getting winded from basic movement as you described, you should also have your ejection fraction checked—basically, how well your heart is pumping. There's a nuclear medicine test called a MUGA scan that checks this. They might have already looked at something similar via ultrasound. It's possible you're dealing with cardiomyopathy—where the heart muscle itself is weakened—which would explain the shortness of breath and rapid exhaustion.
When were you diagnosed with angina pectoris? That's the condition where narrowed arteries don't deliver enough oxygen to the heart muscle, usually causing chest pain after exertion. Typically, that sharp pain under the breastbone lasts for about 5 or 10 minutes before subsiding. It almost always triggers after physical activity.
Concor is used for high blood pressure. Have you had hypertension, and what are your readings looking like now? What's your pulse?
Getting exhausted from simple tasks isn't typical for panic attacks. How's your sleep? Do you find yourself needing to prop yourself up with extra pillows because breathing is difficult?
Either way, you need a follow-up with a cardiologist to adjust your meds based on the results. If your current doctor isn't helping, find a new one. Like I said, the air hunger and arrhythmias could be side effects of the drug. Tell your doctor about it and ask about switching to an ACE inhibitor (that's the class of drug, not the brand name).
My blood pressure is all over the place. It swings from high to low in waves. Right now, it’s sitting at 135/65. My pulse can drop down to 53, but it usually hangs around 60—maybe a little higher—mostly because this Concor keeps it low. I have to be careful with the dosage, though; if I take too much, it drops my heart rate way too far.
Patrick Carter said:That shortness of breath, heart skipping beats, arrhythmia, etc.—it could actually be a side effect of your medication (Concor) if the dosage isn't dialed in right. How long have you been on it, and what's the dose? Also, have you noticed any swelling in your legs—like your ankles or feet?
Based on what you're describing, you really need a full blood panel. Chronic anemia can cause massive fatigue, and there are plenty of reasons for that: underlying issues, iron absorption problems, certain medications, you name it.
But if you're getting winded from basic movement as you described, you should also have your ejection fraction checked—basically, how well your heart is pumping. There's a nuclear medicine test called a MUGA scan that checks this. They might have already looked at something similar via ultrasound. It's possible you're dealing with cardiomyopathy—where the heart muscle itself is weakened—which would explain the shortness of breath and rapid exhaustion.
When were you diagnosed with angina pectoris? That's the condition where narrowed arteries don't deliver enough oxygen to the heart muscle, usually causing chest pain after exertion. Typically, that sharp pain under the breastbone lasts for about 5 or 10 minutes before subsiding. It almost always triggers after physical activity.
Concor is used for high blood pressure. Have you had hypertension, and what are your readings looking like now? What's your pulse?
Getting exhausted from simple tasks isn't typical for panic attacks. How's your sleep? Do you find yourself needing to prop yourself up with extra pillows because breathing is difficult?
Either way, you need a follow-up with a cardiologist to adjust your meds based on the results. If your current doctor isn't helping, find a new one. Like I said, the air hunger and arrhythmias could be side effects of the drug. Tell your doctor about it and ask about switching to an ACE inhibitor (that's the class of drug, not the brand name).
That’s actually what I was afraid of. Part of me wishes it were just a panic attack, you know? At least those are benign. But right now, I can’t do anything. Even lifting a chair leaves me gasping for air and dealing with Extrasystolia SV. It happens when I'm resting sometimes, sure, but it always hits me during physical activity.
As for sleep, I'm fine. Just one pillow and I'm good.
Patrick Carter said:That shortness of breath, heart skipping beats, arrhythmia, etc.—it could actually be a side effect of your medication (Concor) if the dosage isn't dialed in right. How long have you been on it, and what's the dose? Also, have you noticed any swelling in your legs—like your ankles or feet?
Based on what you're describing, you really need a full blood panel. Chronic anemia can cause massive fatigue, and there are plenty of reasons for that: underlying issues, iron absorption problems, certain medications, you name it.
But if you're getting winded from basic movement as you described, you should also have your ejection fraction checked—basically, how well your heart is pumping. There's a nuclear medicine test called a MUGA scan that checks this. They might have already looked at something similar via ultrasound. It's possible you're dealing with cardiomyopathy—where the heart muscle itself is weakened—which would explain the shortness of breath and rapid exhaustion.
When were you diagnosed with angina pectoris? That's the condition where narrowed arteries don't deliver enough oxygen to the heart muscle, usually causing chest pain after exertion. Typically, that sharp pain under the breastbone lasts for about 5 or 10 minutes before subsiding. It almost always triggers after physical activity.
Concor is used for high blood pressure. Have you had hypertension, and what are your readings looking like now? What's your pulse?
Getting exhausted from simple tasks isn't typical for panic attacks. How's your sleep? Do you find yourself needing to prop yourself up with extra pillows because breathing is difficult?
Either way, you need a follow-up with a cardiologist to adjust your meds based on the results. If your current doctor isn't helping, find a new one. Like I said, the air hunger and arrhythmias could be side effects of the drug. Tell your doctor about it and ask about switching to an ACE inhibitor (that's the class of drug, not the brand name).
Man, I’ve already switched doctors twice. One of them basically told me it was all in my head! And I read somewhere—I think it was in the info for Rytmonorm, but I can't be certain—that you aren't supposed to stop these medications abruptly. Apparently, you have to taper off slowly to avoid things getting worse. But my cardiologist just cuts one off and starts another. Does that count as tapering? I honestly don't know.
Thanks for the heads-up on the nuclear stress test. I haven't heard of that one before, so I'll look into it.