MIL has been told she has an enlarged heart - what does this mean?

[ChubbyScotsBurd]

Poor MIL has hed breast cancer twice in the last 4 years and at a recent herceptin check up her chest x-ray revealed an enlarged heart. She's also noticed swollen hands and breathlessness. DP is devastated, he understandably feels like she's being picked on by higher forces .

Does anyone have any experience of this? I'm a vet so I've got a fairly good idea she's in the early stages of heart failure but human cardiology is very different to cardiology in domestic animals! Could it be related to the herceptin? She's pretty overweight, doesn't exercise and has a poor diet. I'm trying to diplomatically explain to DP that she can at least have some control over a heart problem by altering her lifestyle a bit, but he just feels like the end is nigh.

One thing after a sodding other, sometimes, innit?

*had

so sorry to hear this.

As you are a vet you will know that your mil will have to take medicine to decrease the load on her heart and to take the excess water away from her body that is causing the swollen hands and breathlessness. She will have to watch her water intake and diet.

Has she been referred to a cardiac nurse? A specialist nurse will be able to give her more advice on lifestyle changes.

you need lady victoria of cake, she is the mn resident heart expert, she's been through it all with her dh, and will hopefully be able to offer some information about enlarged hearts thats helpful

Thanks both. I remember reading about LVOC, her DP had a transplant recently IIRC, yes? Is she likely to come in here (guess so if her DP has been unwell)?

I'm sure we'll find out soon enough, but others' experiences are always valuable.

Heart failure most probably perhaps as a side effect of medications. She will be started on medications to help and these could show a dramatic improvement - people can live in hf for years. To be fair until she has seen a cardiologist all is guess work. Perhaps you or your dh can go with her to get more information.

yues, sometimes, rarely i must add, cardiomyopathy can be a side effect of cancer treatments (as an aside, the risk of skin cancer increases after a transplant as well).

dh had dilated cardiomyopathy (enlarged heart) and after initial falling ill he was stable for 2.5years.

if your MIL is retaining fluid, then she will be likely be put on directics. she will also have an ecg, echo cardiogram and maybe a 24hour tape as well.

heart failure drugs has improved lives dramactically, with the use of ACE inhibitors, and beta blockers. there is also a possibility of stem cell treatments as well.

your MIL could remain stable on medication for the rest of her life with no on-going problems.

and then, sadly the end of the line, but isnt always what happens, is a heart transplant.

check out cardiomyopathy.org for more information.

Thanks so much for that, it's really helpful

not sure you would to, but you could read my blog. www.waitingforthecall.blogspot.com

it covers from after dh was put on the transplant list, living with an artificial heart and life in general.

Wow, thank you! I'll definitely read it, I haven't any personal experience of heart problems so it's really eye-opening.

My best to you and yours