Machaon

Hi lovinghorses! Sorry to hear about your dilated atrium and your constant breathing problems.

I am in a similar boat as you. I have problems with all four of my heart valves. Both my left and right atria are severely dilated. I've got permanent atrial fibrillation. I suffered from chronic, difficult to treat high blood pressure for many years, until I finally got it under control and down to very healthy levels.

Of all of the symptoms of heart failure, I hate the breathing problems the most. I am sorry that your life is effected so much by breathing problems.

Fortunately, most of the time I no longer have to tolerate breathing problems; and after a 25+ year struggle, my health and heart failure have significantly improved. Do your breathing problems get worse at night?

I have documented how I have had to restrict my life, in order to survive. I have to admit, someone has to be very ill, like I am, to do what I have had to do to survive these nasty heart and health problems.

If you are interested in reading the major changes and restrictions that I have done, to improve my health and heart disease, please glance thru my "Heart Disorders" thread: What I have done to survive Heart Failure & AFib with a high quality of life. The link is: http://www.healthboards.com/boards/heart-disorders/742271-what-i-have-done-survive-heart-failure-afib-high-quality-life.html

Usually, after an echo there is a summary report that has specific, important measurements and evaluation. You might consider requesting a copy so that you can refer to it, and evaluate it yourself, at your home.

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Heart Failure, A-fib, Blood Pressure, Diabetes, Asthma much better by:

⇒ Avoid common and ordinary but unhealthy household items
⇒ Extremely healthy diet
⇒ Exercise
⇒ I LOVE COREG!!!!
⇒ SLIT