questions about test results

Hi everyone:) Im hopping over from the hep forum,,my husband has chronic hep b and this summer had 2 stents put in,2 weeks later one of them collapsed and he had a massive heart attack,and triple bypass surgery. He has been waiting on SS for over a year,and they had him put on "hold" til 3 mths after his bypass,to see what the tests were like after that length of time. He got copies today of his tests to fax to SS,,,I have been trying to look up what the stress test means,but everything I have come across seems complicated for my brain to take in,,,so I thought Id ask if anyone here can explain it in "laymens" terms,,,it says,conclusion,,1>,Markedly abnormal study with moderate dilatation of the left ventricle,ejection fraction of 42 percent by gated imaging,and mild to moderate dilatation of right ventricle as well.2>Nonreversible anteroapical,septal,and partially inferior defect with a normal perfusion of the lateral wall of the left ventricle.,,,extensive anteroapical and inferior infarct without significant redistribution. Severe dilation of the left ventricle with an ejection fraction that appeared to be in the range of 40 percent,,,,any help anyone can give in translating this would be appreciated,,,and also,,,how severe is this? thanks for your time:)

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trish

Hey wheredidigo, I am sorry you havent had any replies to your post .  Sometimes the Cardio forum here gets a little slow.  I have had several stress tests and never was able to understand a single one of them myself.  Lucky for me that my mom is a Cardiac Nurse and can read them for me.  I have tried to find some sites that may of been of some help to you but with no luck in finding anything that would explain what his readings are.  Has he not seen his Cardiologist to get his results from his stress test?  In any case, I hope that someone will come along soon and shed some light on this for you both.  Please do keep us up to date on how he is doing and you both take care.

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Elisha
Co~Mod: Depression
Moderator: Heart & Cardiovascular Disease
http://www.healingwell.com/donate

thanks elisha,I know how the slow thing is,the hep forum gets like that too:) ive sent a copy of his test to a nurse and am waiting to hear from her. yes he saw his dr and the dr said,basically,,,,your disabled,,,,,beyond that he was in a hurry which is why my husband WILL be changing drs as soon as we know his ss is approved,but changing drs in mid stream wont be good with the ss thing...in the mean time,im an information person,and i need info lol im sure ill get it soon enough,,have a great day Elisha

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trish

 Hi Trish, like eeeeEls i am not able to read and understand all that. i had two stents put in my LAD also and have had more than one stress test, however his sounds really complex to me, do not be intimdated or afraid to ask for a breif Laymens explanation.  Good Luck with SS, i have been trying to get it for over a year, however i am not in the same place as your hubby, a bypass changes everything. you did not mention his age? how is he doing emotionally, i was a basket case, glad i found this site, it helped me, but like Elisha said, it has been very slow, i have not been here for over two weeks.  call your dr. today and get your answers there, let us know how it goes with the SS.

Truthfully hes doing terrible emotionally,,,,hes good some days and others he is either sleeping or unbearable,I know hes worried about alot,,,,but one thing he keeps saying is,,I hope they give me ss before I die,I dont want you stuck with the bill,,,,like thats the top of MY worries? but it is his I guess. Oh,hes 48 btw,,thanks for responding,and I will let ya know what we find out. have a good day

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trish

Hi Trish, I am so sorry...I do understand on both your parts how hard it is emotionally.  Then to have a doctor being nonresponsive like that.  When my heart problems started a little over a year ago (I am 33) I was much like that too...had the mind set that I was going to die and just wanted to get it over with.  I have Sick Sinus Syndrom with Bradycardia (slow heart rate) so I have a pacemaker.  I also have a septial defect which is basically a hole in my heart.  Then was diagnosed with an autonomic disorder on top of all that when I already been diagnosed with MS for 5 yrs.  It was quite depressing but I have a good support system in my mom and I also have wonderful doctors.

While I was in the hospital my PCP made me consult with a psychiatrist who prescribed an antidepressant for me.  It has helped alot.  Granted I have had depression for a long time but when my heart issues began the depression became 10 times worse.  Have you or your husband considered maybe asking about an antidepressant?  His regular doc can prescribe something and I bet it would help with is mood considerably.  Good luck with the new cardiologist...you most certianly needed to change.  Keep posting and let us know how he is doing.  My thoughts and with you both. Take care

Trish, I found this today and thought perhaps you may find the site useful....let me know what you think

http://www.emedicine.com/med/topic2961.htm

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Elisha
Co~Mod: Depression
Moderator: Heart & Cardiovascular Disease
http://www.healingwell.com/donate

thanks elisha,that helped explain some things to me:) I can not wait til he sees a new heart dr,ive been on edge about this one since hubby had his heart attack and his heart dr couldnt be reached,at home OR on his pager,, Sounds like you have alot going on yourself! So young to have all those problems,but you seem to have a good attitude,and loving support is the key to that:) I hope you have a wonderful day and thanks again for the link.

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trish

 hi trish, just checking back in.  i was so anxious i finally succombed to meds to help,i also think that when you read all the things on this site you realize you a going to live so just tell him to hang in there.  also, about that ss, they almost never give it the first time you ask, he will get it, i am trying now, but i am not as severe, however i did get an attorney that specializes in ss, and i do not pay unless he wins and then it comes out of whatever settlement you receive on a one time basis, worth doing if they reject him a second time. he is young to be facing this, heck many are that come to this site, he ought to get into the scene, he will feel better when he sees what others are surviving.  take care, i will check back soon.

sorry it took so long to respond,its been a crazy week! This is his first appeal for ss,,,,,so we are really hoping it goes through, Hes had an attourney since filing this appeal,but they do NOTHING ,,i have been the one dealing with ss,they dont even make phone calls or do any paperwork except file the appeal,and take 25 percent if it does go through,,,,,,they dont do anything until the next appeal,if its necessary,i wish we hadnt got them until the next appeal though,,,,,,if it goes through this time,they get their 25 percent for doing nothing....I know hes young to be going through this,,,,actually im young trying to deal with him going through this lol (im 39) ,,,it seems like hes angry with me,for NOT being sick,,,,have you ever felt that way? He wants me to just sit and wait for him to wake up,and be at his beckon call,and i can NOT do that,,,,,i do stay at home most of the time,but if i decide to leave for any reason,other then taking care of the household(groceries,drugstore,ect),,he acts awful,,,i keep telling him that i have to take care of myself too,so i can be strong for him and my kids,but its not sinking in,,,,,,Ive tried to talk him into at least reading the posts on here,he wont have it,,,,,,,,and also forgot to tell ya,he is on antidepressents,,,225 mg of effexor,,and has been for a year or so,,,also hes on clonopin(spelling?) for this severe twitching hes had in his hands since his heart attack and for nerves,, hope your weekend is going great,gotta run:)

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trish