My daughter is 21 handicapped, tiny in stature and a little overweight, she first went for an EKG that came back abnormal, she then went for a echocardiogram and the doctor found a little hardening of the aortic artery of her heart. Now they want to give her a eet test ,not sure if i am saying this right. its a test where they knock her out and put a tiny camera down her throat to monitor the heart even closer. For this she has to go to the hospital the test should take an hour and then the recovery is an hour. Has anyone ever had this done and what are they looking for and with the hardening of the artery can that be treated with medicine. Also, what causes hardening of the arteries. Any help or advice of this would be appreciated cause I am very concerned and worried. My daughter is my life. THANKS!!!!
2007-10-07 16:23:09 · 4 answers · asked by paul s 4 in Health ➔ Diseases & Conditions ➔ Heart Diseases
Read this page:
http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/aortic-valve-calcification/HQ00245
Aortic calcification usually occurs at older ages. If found in younger patients, doctors will want to know if there are other problems that they haven't detected, hence the TEE (TransEsophageal Echo), which is much more accurate and detailed over a TTE (TransThoracic Echo).
If both the valve and aorta is found damaged to a point of harm, the doctors may consider many options; medical (therapy) versus surgical (repair). If worst comes to worst, a homograft replacement may be considered. That is, they will remove the entire diseased valve and the section of aorta just outside the heart, and replace it with one from a deceased organ donor (cadaveric valve replacement). Its a common procedure that's been done for many years. Whether your daughter needs this or would be helped by this is something that she needs to discuss with her doctors. Good Luck.
Ralph
2007-10-11 12:32:57 · answer #1 · answered by ralphrepo_01 4 · 1⤊ 0⤋
It's a TEE, a transesophageal echocardiogram. It gives them a good picture of what is going on with the heart structure and function. Hardening of the arteries is called atherosclerosis. It usually starts because of a buildup of fats and other things in the vessels. Sometimes they can do an angioplasty to open up the blood vessel some--it doesn't cure the hardening, but opens up the artery. Sometimes bypass surgery is done for this too. Here's some more info:
http://www.americanheart.org/presenter.jhtml?identifier=228
2007-10-07 16:33:09 · answer #2 · answered by nursekuba 5 · 0⤊ 2⤋
When the coronary arteries that carry oxygen and nutrients to the heart muscle becomes obstructed,the flow of blood is cut off .This can lead to a heart attack,and hardening of the arteries.There are many herbs and natural food suppliments,that can increase oxygen to the heart.Coenzyme Q10,L-arginine improves blood flow,DMG helps with oxygen flow to the heart,sea mussle,ginko biloba,hawthorn.Check out the book Perscription For Nutritional Healing.My son had a heart murmer when he was younger,and with nutritional suppliments,it is no longer there.Also a good multi-vitamin and mineral suppliment is a good idea.Detox the body.You want to get blood and oxygen flowing to the brain and heart.
2007-10-07 16:39:13 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 2⤋
your story makes me want to cry:[ im so sorry
im only fifteen so i wouldnt know much:/
but i hae a little sister whos mentally handicapped [she has down syndrome]
and i know how much she means to my mom.
i just want to let you know that ill definitely pray for you a lot,
and i can only hope for the best.
ive had something done with a camera down my throat but it was to check out my stomach, which i guess is pretty different from my heart, lol.
but it was pretty uncomfortable. but im sure shell be ok.
good luck with you and your daughter.
please post the results when everythings over
God bless!<3
2007-10-07 16:29:14 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋