[JUNE B]

Hello All
i was wondering if any one can tell me, if lupus causes problems with heart valves ? i have an on going problem with chest, under armpit,pain . i was seen today in cardiology, and some problems were indicated on the reading of my tread mill test. They said they would arrange for me to have some pictures taken of the valves, i would need to come in for the day, how will they do this ? is it a x ray ? Thanks for any info !
regards
june

 

[Lily]

Hi June,

Sorry to hear you are having problems with your heart :hug:

Lupus can affect the heart valves directly, quite often the mitral valve. APS can also cause heart valve problems.

It is also more common for Lupus patients to develop heart disease at an increased rate as opposed to the normal population and there is a lot of research going on right now as to why that happens.

The following article might help you gain a better understanding:

http://www.lupusmn.org/Education/Articles/LupusandtheHeart.htm


http://www.healthsystem.virginia.edu/UVAHealth/adult_cardiac/disvalve.cfm


Your doctor should explain the procedure they are going to use to picture your heart valves. There are various different ways of diagnosing heart valve problems:

• electrocardiogram (ECG or EKG) - a test that records the electrical activity of the heart, shows abnormal rhythms (arrhythmias or dysrhythmias), and detects heart muscle damage.
• chest x-ray - a diagnostic test which uses invisible electromagnetic energy beams to produce images of internal tissues, bones, and organs onto film. An x-ray can show enlargement in any area of the heart.
• cardiac catheterization - this diagnostic procedure involves a tiny, hollow tube (catheter) being inserted into an artery leading to the heart in order to image the heart and blood vessels. This procedure is helpful in determining the type and extent of valve blockage.
• transesophageal echo (TEE) - TEE is a diagnostic test that is used to measure the sound waves that bounce off the heart, creating a graphic image of the movement of the heart structures.
• radionuclide scans - these scans use radioactive imaging to view blood flow, internal organ structure, and organ function.
• magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) - a diagnostic procedure that uses a combination of large magnets, radiofrequencies, and a computer to produce detailed images of organs and structures within the body.

Hope this helps and that you are soon able to find out exactly what is causing these problems for you and what they are going to do about them.

love
Lily

 

[Maia]

I have problems with a couple of my valves, I'm not sure if it's due to lupus or not as it was diagnosed before lupus was but has worsened since lupus was diagnosed.

So far the only test I needed was an ultrasound/echocardiogram which is done completely externally and not painful at all. It sounds like with EKG abnormalities you will likely have additional testing done and may need more detailed/better images.

Good luck to you and let us know how things turn out!

 

[kathy37]

hi

ive just read about heart probelms my daughter has a erratic heart beat sometimes it misses a beat she did have fluid round the lungs and heart and the bottom part of her lungs have been damaged cause of this cound some one please let me know whether its the lupus that has caused my daughter to have heart problems

 

[Lily]

Hi Kathy,

It's impossible to say really. Do her doctors think her heart problems are due to Lupus? Has she had any investigation by a cardiologist and what medications is she on?

love
Lily

 

[kathy37]

hi lily her specialist chest doctor has referd her to sheffield hospital in england as she has a erratic heart beat and her lungs they say she may have pullminary hypertension in the lungs so shes havin all these tests done but she did have fliud around the heart and lungs when she was diagnosed with the lupus as its attacks them first and the medication shes on for the sle is prednisolone 5mg and celcept and iron

 

[JUNE B]

Thanks Lily and Maia,
As always some excellent information and advice. I have already had echo and ECG which seemed ok, it was just the treadmill test results that concerned them. Iwill let you know what happens.
regards
june