MY brother came home sick wednesday and finally today we got him to go to the ER. He was having serious body cramps last night. I have heard from the hospital that he has had a possible heart attack and CT scan is showing a density close to the heart and Aorta?
He is a Vietnam Vet and has COPD.
I know this is very little information but is there anything you can tell me about this?
He is also getting blood tests every 6 hours tonight.
Thanks in advance.
2007-11-23 13:46:57 · 6 answers · asked by ncgirl 6 in Health ➔ Diseases & Conditions ➔ Heart Diseases
Vietnam Vet around 58 years old.
2007-11-23 14:15:47 · update #1
If he is getting blood tests every 6 hours, they are checking his cardiac enzymes to see if they are going to elevate, stay the same or fall. He must have been having chest pain or they wouldn't be doing this. But, they usually don't call it a "possible heart attack". Either he had or is having one or he isn't. He probably had an EKG too and none of his tests were specific for a heart attack at this time so they are doing the watch and wait. A density could be numerous things - a tumor, a pneumonia, fibrotic tissue, etc. They are probably still trying to put all the pieces together yet before they make a final diagnosis.
2007-11-23 13:54:36 · answer #1 · answered by J B 7 · 1⤊ 1⤋
I wish I knew his age. If he's over 40, a heart problem makes a lot more sense than if he's 24. But anything's possible.
It sounds like he's getting excellent care. Just make sure he follows doctor's orders
to a T. It's helpful for you (or another relative) to be there when the doctor is there. Have a notebook so you can write down everything the doctor says. It's hard for TWO people to remember everything the doctor said and ordered, let alone JUST the patient!!
You sound like a wonderful sister. Take good care of him, and I wish you all the best of luck. :)
2007-11-23 14:06:06 · answer #2 · answered by LadyLynn 7 · 2⤊ 0⤋
It sounds like he might have pericarditis . This would be treated with antibiotics.
If he had a heart attack they are checking his blood every 6 hours to see if his heart enzymes are going up or down. These enzymes indicate heart damage which would go along with a heart attack.
they may want to do a cardiac cath after he is stable to see what kind of treatment is needed. ( surgery or medication or a combination of both)
2007-11-23 13:54:16 · answer #3 · answered by impurrfect10 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
The blood leaves the heart to go to the body via the aorta.
They are going to be checking blood enzyme levels to assess damage to the heart.
They may give him a clot dissolving drug.
Prior to discharge a stress test should be done to assess whether there is still a lack of oxygen to the heart muscle.
Lack of oxygen and other nutrients can cause cramps.
2007-11-23 13:55:44 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 1⤋
It sounds serious.
You'd do best to ask him and get the information from him or his health care team.
There are a number of possibilities of serious disease here and we could list them, but I'm sure that would only panic you more. Get the information from the people who KNOW. Not from us who would only be guessing.
2007-11-23 13:54:28 · answer #5 · answered by Orinoco 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
First I am very sorry for his sudden illness, I am not his doctor and can't tell you what is going on with him, he is in the very best hands being in the hospital.
God Bless him and you his family, I hope he gets better very soon.
2007-11-23 13:53:09 · answer #6 · answered by baja QT 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋