Thank you so much for your reply. Its much appreciated.
As mentioned in my original post, i had an Echo last week.
I'm awaiting the results but my main concern is the fact that my specialist implied that i wont be seeing him for 6 months and that the Echo will decide whether i will need ambulatory oxygen or not. He suggested that if ambulatory oxygen is required, the respiratory nurses will arrange everything and attend the house to provide all my needs.
My question is, if the Echo shows evidence of CHF or Pulmonary hypertension, shouldnt there be pharmacological management (ACE inhibitors, digoxin, beta blockers, diuretics, etc) involved to relieve the load on the heart, as opposed to oxygen to just relieve the symptoms?
I need the advice to hand so i can discuss this with my specialist in an informed way as i cannot accept that i have had a special investigation like an Echo but i dont get to speak to a specialist about the results.
Breathlessness on exertion, peripheral edema, pain in chest—while can be due to severe COPD, it can also be due to a failing heart. At times a chronic lung disease puts back pressure on heart and this causes strain on heart. On the other hand, it can also be a direct heart condition like an enlargement or angina or MI. You definitely need ECG and ECHO to rule these out. Please go to an ER as soon as possible. Take care!