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Suddenly cold hands *not* related to coarc/bicuspid valve?
I am a 28-year-old female who had my aortic coarctation repaired when I was 5 years old with translocation subclavian flap angioplasty. I also have a bicuspid valve. I have been asymptomatic since the surgery, until last month. I have begun noticing my hands and feet getting very cold, or feeling like the circulation is very low, especially if I've been sitting or lying for awhile. It's similar to the feeling of holding your hand in the air for a long time, like there's not enough blood getting there. They are not numb, nor do I feel "pins & needles." But I have been a "too warm" person most of my life, and feeling cold is very new to me.
This got me concerned, so I went to a cardiologist. I got an MRA, echo, and ECG. They showed no evidence of re-coarctation, but they did show significant dilation of the ascending thoractic aorta up to 42mm, with no obvious dissection identified. The cardiologist said I should keep an eye on that and get checked once a year, and that the circulation problems I've been having are unrelated (he kind of implied they are in my head). He also said I can continue exercising, including my 2-hr karate class twice a week.
I have always had very good blood pressure, but the two times I saw the cardiologist this month, it was much higher than usual (154/99 today). He said it was just because I was anxious.
I have trouble just shrugging this off. This is a new cardiologist - should I get a second opinion? Should I be worried? I've been Googling about thoracic aneurysms, and it seems having a bicuspid valve is a higher risk factor. I have copies of my test reports, so I can offer more info if necessary. Thanks in advance.
This got me concerned, so I went to a cardiologist. I got an MRA, echo, and ECG. They showed no evidence of re-coarctation, but they did show significant dilation of the ascending thoractic aorta up to 42mm, with no obvious dissection identified. The cardiologist said I should keep an eye on that and get checked once a year, and that the circulation problems I've been having are unrelated (he kind of implied they are in my head). He also said I can continue exercising, including my 2-hr karate class twice a week.
I have always had very good blood pressure, but the two times I saw the cardiologist this month, it was much higher than usual (154/99 today). He said it was just because I was anxious.
I have trouble just shrugging this off. This is a new cardiologist - should I get a second opinion? Should I be worried? I've been Googling about thoracic aneurysms, and it seems having a bicuspid valve is a higher risk factor. I have copies of my test reports, so I can offer more info if necessary. Thanks in advance.
Hello! Welcome to Reynauds Phenomenon.It is completely unrelated to your cardiac symptoms. I wish I could have gotten this note to you years ago, because it's not so bad, really. Do me a favor and Mayo Clinic "Reynaud's." It's fun, really. Ok, not so much, but easily controlled.
It's more women than men, usually under 35 at diagnosis. Sometimes family related. It gets worse with age. so you can be perfectly fine, then, surprise! freezing cold hands. It's about change in temperature, not actual temp. I wear gloves at all times during cold season, and when I'm on the computer, and sometimes my fingers turn blueish and I need to warm them.
Seriously, dig around your freezer for a few minutes, did you start to loose feeling in your fingers? It's because of the sudden change in temp. Your body freaks out and thinks, *OHMAHGAD! We're gonna die. Quick! cut off blood flow to the extremities to save the baby."
Your body is right. All females' bodies cut off blood flow, albeit slowly, to save our babies. However, YOUR body *FREAKS* out and decides you are going to die and causes your nerves to spasm and cut off blood flow to fingers and toes, then hands and feet, and then higher up. The only way to accurately diagnose Reynauds is to stick your hands in a freezer for a few minutes or have a family history.
Because women get it 80% more than men. Win/fail.
Good luck. Honestly, I hope it is Reynaud's. It's easily controlled. And it fits your symptoms. And any decent Dr. will diagnose you in 10 mins or less. I got diagnosed in less than 1 minute. kind of embarrassing. really, like I was an infant. Also, your other options suck. Reynauds is at least unassuming.
Good luck,
Jane
It's more women than men, usually under 35 at diagnosis. Sometimes family related. It gets worse with age. so you can be perfectly fine, then, surprise! freezing cold hands. It's about change in temperature, not actual temp. I wear gloves at all times during cold season, and when I'm on the computer, and sometimes my fingers turn blueish and I need to warm them.
Seriously, dig around your freezer for a few minutes, did you start to loose feeling in your fingers? It's because of the sudden change in temp. Your body freaks out and thinks, *OHMAHGAD! We're gonna die. Quick! cut off blood flow to the extremities to save the baby."
Your body is right. All females' bodies cut off blood flow, albeit slowly, to save our babies. However, YOUR body *FREAKS* out and decides you are going to die and causes your nerves to spasm and cut off blood flow to fingers and toes, then hands and feet, and then higher up. The only way to accurately diagnose Reynauds is to stick your hands in a freezer for a few minutes or have a family history.
Because women get it 80% more than men. Win/fail.
Good luck. Honestly, I hope it is Reynaud's. It's easily controlled. And it fits your symptoms. And any decent Dr. will diagnose you in 10 mins or less. I got diagnosed in less than 1 minute. kind of embarrassing. really, like I was an infant. Also, your other options suck. Reynauds is at least unassuming.
Good luck,
Jane
Hello! Welcome to Reynauds Phenomenon.It is completely unrelated to your cardiac symptoms. I wish I could have gotten this note to you years ago, because it's not so bad, really. Do me a favor and Mayo Clinic "Reynaud's." It's fun, really. Ok, not so much, but easily controlled.
It's more women than men, usually under 35 at diagnosis. Sometimes family related. It gets worse with age. so you can be perfectly fine, then, surprise! freezing cold hands. It's about change in temperature, not actual temp. I wear gloves at all times during cold season, and when I'm on the computer, and sometimes my fingers turn blueish and I need to warm them.
Seriously, dig around your freezer for a few minutes, did you start to loose feeling in your fingers? It's because of the sudden change in temp. Your body freaks out and thinks, *OHMAHGAD! We're gonna die. Quick! cut off blood flow to the extremities to save the baby."
Your body is right. All females' bodies cut off blood flow, albeit slowly, to save our babies. However, YOUR body *FREAKS* out and decides you are going to die and causes your nerves to spasm and cut off blood flow to fingers and toes, then hands and feet, and then higher up. The only way to accurately diagnose Reynauds is to stick your hands in a freezer for a few minutes or have a family history.
Because women get it 80% more than men. Win/fail.
Good luck. Honestly, I hope it is Reynaud's. It's easily controlled. And it fits your symptoms. And any decent Dr. will diagnose you in 10 mins or less. I got diagnosed in less than 1 minute. kind of embarrassing. really, like I was an infant. Also, your other options suck. Reynauds is at least unassuming.
Good luck,
Jane
It's more women than men, usually under 35 at diagnosis. Sometimes family related. It gets worse with age. so you can be perfectly fine, then, surprise! freezing cold hands. It's about change in temperature, not actual temp. I wear gloves at all times during cold season, and when I'm on the computer, and sometimes my fingers turn blueish and I need to warm them.
Seriously, dig around your freezer for a few minutes, did you start to loose feeling in your fingers? It's because of the sudden change in temp. Your body freaks out and thinks, *OHMAHGAD! We're gonna die. Quick! cut off blood flow to the extremities to save the baby."
Your body is right. All females' bodies cut off blood flow, albeit slowly, to save our babies. However, YOUR body *FREAKS* out and decides you are going to die and causes your nerves to spasm and cut off blood flow to fingers and toes, then hands and feet, and then higher up. The only way to accurately diagnose Reynauds is to stick your hands in a freezer for a few minutes or have a family history.
Because women get it 80% more than men. Win/fail.
Good luck. Honestly, I hope it is Reynaud's. It's easily controlled. And it fits your symptoms. And any decent Dr. will diagnose you in 10 mins or less. I got diagnosed in less than 1 minute. kind of embarrassing. really, like I was an infant. Also, your other options suck. Reynauds is at least unassuming.
Good luck,
Jane
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