my dr. told me today i have a strained heart.what does that mean.?

Question

i'm already on blood pressure med,then today he added toprolxr.

Answer 1

Please see a different doctor and try not to take too many medications. Could it be a side effect or a reactions from the blood pressure meds. Maybe you don't even need that. You also may want to consider finding a doctor who believes in alternative medicines along with our traditional ways. More people are on medications that are either very wrong for them or they don't need them at all due to a miss-diagnosis. Remember, most of our doctors are just legal drug pushers!!! It is all about money!!! Please get yourself another opinion. Best of Luck and Good Health to you!

Answer 2

Often as medical people we try to use terms that people can relate to. People are familiar with the word "strain" in terms of a muscle strain. But with muscle strains you are painful for a few days and then good as new.

What I suspect your doctor was telling you is that you have some early heart failure. (Which sounds horrible and this is why doctors often want to avoid the term). It doesn't have to be horrible but it is not anything to ignore either.

This is probably secondary to high blood pressure (systolic pressure over 140) or ischemia (inadequate blood supply to the heart muscle) or a valve problem or a genetic predisposition for an enlarged heart (idiopathic cardiomyopathy)- being most likely in the order I listed them.

What does this mean? First if you have high blood pressure it needs to be controlled - no messing around - even if you need to take FIVE medications to control it. Toprol is a blood pressure medication and will naturally slow your heart rate down too. This can be very helpful in helping the heart to have better contractility (filling and squeezing). Also if you have not had an echocardiogram (ultrasound of the heart) then that would be a very good next step to evaluate your cardiac function, wall motion, size of the heart and valves. Based on that study and any symptoms you may be experiencing, further decisions can be rendered then.

Good luck.

Answer 3

I'm just guessing here, but (s)he probably said something like, "Your high blood pressure is causing too much strain on your heart." That's basic fluid dynamics. The more strain that any pump is under will reduce its longevity. Your heart is in that respect just an ordinary pump. The higher blood pressure puts added strain on your heart that wouldn't be there if the blood pressure were normal. The toprol is to lower the blood pressure.

Answer 4

I do not know exactly what he meant but when I had rapid heart beat my doctor put me on toprol xr because it is a time release capsule that will slow down your heart. It sounds like you have an excessive heart beat along with the high blood pressure and when your heart beats too fast that is putting a strain on your heart. If I am right than at times you feel tired, trouble breathing, and maybe some discomfort in your chest. When you have a problem with this it usually makes you feel like you would if you had just exercised.

Answer 5

You should have a sleep study...your high blood pressure could be caused by excessive snoring and breathing disorders that occur while you are sleeping. Thus, over working the heart. Ask your Dr. if you are a candidate for an Initial Sleep Study. It could save your life.

Answer 6

If your doctor did not explain this to your satisfaction, you probably need a new doctor. A good physician will make you knowledgeable about any conditions that you might have. In addition, the addition of a new medication should be a mutual, informed decision between doctor and patient.

Answer 7

It means you better take life real easy for a while, very light exercise, no fats, no alcohol, no fun, OK?

Answer 8

Why didn't you ask you dr. Go to webMD.com and find out.

Answer 9

Should have asked him...