AboutHillarie Speziale Expertise I can answer general questions about ICU care, the frequently used medications, procedures, and life supports. I can also explain many of the diagnoses and supportive measures used for patients with that particular illness. I am familiar with the infectious, cardiac, pulmonary, renal, and gastric problems that can land you in the ICU. I can not tell you exactly how long the patient stay will be, diagnosis your symptoms, or tell you with any certainty that the care you (or your loved one) received was wrong. I can also answer career questions regarding RRT and RN fields. Please note: neurology is not a field I have a great deal of familiarity with..
Experience I have 17 yrs experience as a Respiratory Therapist, and 9 yrs as a critical care nurse. I am familiar with infectious, cardiac, respiratory, renal and gastric diagnoses that can land you in the ICU.
Education/Credentials Assoc. Degree in Respiratory Therapy, Bachelor of Science in Nursing, Master of science in psychiatric nurse practitioning.
Question I am a 37 yr old male, 5'6" 210lbs. I was diagnosed with Sarcoidosis a
couple of months ago. A biopsy was taken of my lymph nodes in my chest
to confirm the diagnosis. A few weeks after the surgery I started
having intense heart palpatations (heart beating really hard and skipping
beats). This has gone beyond uncomfortable to painful and fairly
frequent. As a part of my treatment/ trying to determine the extent of the
Sarcoidosis, my pulmonologist set me up an apointment to have a heart
echo test as sometimes Sarcoidosis can affect the heart. She was not
aware of the issues that I started having just a few days actually before
I had the test. I got the results back this week and they said I have
a leaking valve and that they are making me an appointment with a
cardiologist. My dr is on vacation and I'm concerned about the intensity
of the heart episodes. As I said, they are pretty painful and are
increasingly longer. I have know other info on the severity of the leakage
but was concerned about that as well. Is there any info that you can
give me in the mean time while I am waiting the appointment with the
cardiologist? Should I be concerned or seek help sooner?
Answer Hi CT,
I'm not trying to scare you but yes, I would seek help sooner== For this reason: palpitations are not usually painful. People usually complain that they are aware of them, that their heart feels as if it might pound out of their chest, or that they're aware it's doing some sort of dance. I don't believe I've heard anyone say "painful". While it's probably nothing, I'm a big one for "better safe than sorry". After all, what are you out if you contact someone? They check you over and say it's nothing, or they say, "oops, problem" and you get the help you need. Ignore it, and you continue to worry, and potentially you miss something that needed attention.
If I were in your shoes I would give your physician a call today and explain things. Yep, today, even on the weekend. That's why there's always someone on call - in case you have a problem.
Take care of yourself, Hillarie
PS: About the leaky valve. If your physician needed an ECHO to pick it up, (didn't hear it when listening to your heart sounds with the stethoscope), then in all likelihood it's a minor leak.
