Shortness of breath needs another look

June 24, 2011 By

DEAR DR. GOTT: I had open-heart surgery five years ago and have been gasping for air ever since. I have talked to other people who had the procedure, and they are the same way. I’d like to know if there is a medicine I can take to eliminate this.

DEAR READER: I would be more comfortable if you indicated your surgery was performed recently, as five years is much too long for symptoms to continue and for your quality of life to be affected.

There are a number of possibilities for shortness of breath (SOB), including scar tissue; stent, bypass grafting or valve failure; a side effect of a prescribed medication; reflux; hypothyroidism; congestive heart failure; and lung disease.
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Patient opposes surgeon’s recommendation

March 19, 2011 By

DEAR DR. GOTT: I’m a 57-year-old man happily living with my wife of 34 years. Although I watched my diet, exercised, and have no family history of cardiovascular disease, I had a 90 percent cardiac blockage in 2009 and ended up having a heart-catheterization procedure and stent insertion. I saw the signs early and now take 40 milligrams of simvastatin.

Because I had paid my deductible and co-insurance, I saw a back surgeon about my back, which had been giving me problems for years. After X-rays, a CT and MRI, he determined that I have a vertically herniated disc between my fourth and fifth vertebrae. He said I need a spinal fusion, which would involve going through my abdomen. He gave me prescriptions for pain but didn’t prescribe physical therapy or other alternatives.
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