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Med recommendations to treat cardiomyopathy?

I am 42.  After a brush with non-sustained VT, I was diagnosed with dialated cardiomyopathy 2 years ago with an EF of 35-40%.  I have an ICD, and I have since improved my EF to 40-45%.  No CHF symptoms, foot edema gone and PB 100/65.  I exercise 3x per week and have a pretty normal life.  
My cardiologist suggested gradually upping my medication from 10mg to 20mg Zestril (Ace Inhibitor) and 50mg to up to 150mg Toprol XL (Beta Blocker).  The new doses would be targets we would work toward, depending on how well I tolerated the increases.   I'm concerned about side effects and the likely hood of an improved outcome.  
Please comment on the drug treatment suggestions and their impact on expected outcomes.   Any thoughts on other newer or suggested drugs to discuss with my cardiologist would be appreciated too.
Thanks!
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Avatar universal
I am Lauren 128 and the name Addie appearred and I cannot get Lauren 128 back but this is me answering you.

Thanks for the information.

His Triglercides were over 240.  His HDL was 50 and LDL was 150.

They were concerend with his tryglcerides.  I am watching his Plavix.  The doc wanted him on the plavix and 2 baby aspirins every day.  I personally feel this is a bit too much as i do not want him to hemmorage or not be able to have emergency surgery if he needs emergency surgery as I believe I read a person needs to be off Plavix and aspirin prior to surgery for a period of time.  (cannot remember if this is 2 days or 1 week)

I certainly do not want to give advise to anyone as I am not a doctor but I read on this site somewhere that they keep a person on Plavix for about 12 weeks and sometimes longer.  The THI doc seems to indicate forever unless I misunderstood him.

My son in law has been on them now for over 3 months.  His cardio doc is always in such a big hurry that I have to run out the exam door and stop him with more questions before he goes into another patients room.  I am trying to see if we can do the plavix every other day and continue with one baby aspirin.

He takes the plavix in the AM and the Lipitor at night. The niacin he takes 3 times per day.  

What is this new drug you are taking? W.....instead of plavix/  Lipitor (cannot go back in and re-read your post to make sure I am naming the right meds.

Also, what about the muscle problem?  What should he look for?

Thanks for helping us out here.  I hate it when I cannot get my questions answered by his doctor and my son in law just sits there and takes this hurried doctor's evasive attitude. ~~sigh~~

Not good medicine for the patient.

Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
I am NOT a doctor.  I have been reading all the comments about meds and various heart problems.

My 38 year old son in law had a heart attack recently.  He went to the nearest hospital and they did a heart cath and they did put in a stent in a big artery.

That cardiologist did not give him any beta blockers.  Plavix and tricor and Folic Acid and Vitamin E.

We brought him to the Texas Heart Institute (3 months later)and they redid the heart cath and everything looked fine.  This cardiologist also did not put him on any beta blockers. He is still on Plavix, one baby aspirin a day, Lipitor was added and tricor was taken away and Niacin was added. He must use the threadmill and walk often.  He is on an 1800 calorie a day diet.  He has Nitro in a spray container if needed. Wrap on wood...I hope he never needs it and never has another episode at least for a very very very long time.

I was surprised though that he was not on heart meds but I am not the doctor.
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
It's very easy to lump all cardiac conditions in one basket.There is a big difference between recovery after a MI and managing cardiomyopathy.Careful of the kind of info you giveto others.
His doc is managing absolutely according to practice guidelines by the American Heart Association.Using ACEinhibitors are the best way in improving the overall function of heart failure.
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
This "no stents" crackpot continues to follow the doctor
around in here and second guess the doctor's and their
patient's comments.  

I reiterate, PLEASE, ANYONE COMING HERE FOR ADVICE:

Listen to YOUR DOCTOR and augment her or his guidelines
and advice with the comments by the doctor here.  Too
much is at stake for a patient to HESITATE FOR ONE DAY
to follow a doctor's advice because of something you
may read in here by this person who comes here only to
post "friendly" by VERY MISLEADING COMMENTS.

I wish the "no stents, no bypass" person were barred
from this site because of the nature of his or her
posts here.  

But, it's a free internet in a free country, and this
is the price we pay for that freedom.

JUST LISTEN TO THE DOCTORS:  YOURS AND THE ONES HOSTING
THIS WEBSITE.
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
No bypass/no stents... I rather agree, not to mess with success.  My cardiologist agreed too and only suggested upping the meds because she says it is the latest current practice.  But, since I was responding well she was reluctant to make any changes.  She did suggest upping the ACE first.  I'm not having irregular beats and no VT's so I like leaving the Beta Blocker dose the same.  We did not change anything and will discuss meds again after my (yearly) echo in September.

Say more about beta blockers being counterproductive to exercise?  

My suggested ceiling heart rate is 140.  It takes a fast inclined walk or slow jog to keep me at 130 bpm for 25 minutes.  I do moderate weight training... 40-70lb's in more of an aerobic set of lifts.

Thanks for your comments!  
Take care
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
Cardiomyopathy.

Your doctor has you on an excellent medical regimen. Beta blockers and ACE inhibitors have both been shown to improve outcome in patients such as yourself. You have a good exercise program and excellent blood pressure. It sounds like your doctor is doing an outstanding job. I don't have any new suggestions other than to continue following his/her advice.

Thanks for your question,


CCF-MD-KE
Helpful - 0

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