Suggest treatment for heart murmur after attacks of SVT
Patient: My 19 yr old granddaughter, weight 109, innocent heart murmur since birth , had 1st SVT attack 4 wks ago AT WORK as a CNA in local hospital. This past Fri., she had 2nd attack, again AT WORK. Is returning to cardio this Wed. for results of all tests, incl. echocardiagram. Just began work at this hosp, 11 days BEFORE her SVT attack. Now, ins. say it is/was pre-existing condition and her work ins. won t cover for 18 months. On top of work she had lost, being off 3 days, after 1st attack and 5 days after 2nd, she is now in SEVERE financial distress and her nerves are causing problems. Bites nails, can t sleep, can t eat. Ablation was suggested BUT BUT she has NO insurance. Savings gone. Doesn t even have $$$ to pay the cardio with whom she has appt day after tomorrow. I would give her anything I have, if needed, I would donate a kidney (and, I know she doesn t need a kidney - that is merely example of what I would do for her. I am retired, on SSA. DO NOT HAVE MONEY...She is falling apart in front of my eyes. What do we do? Her dad has been on SSA for 9 years; 2 bypasses, 12 yrs apart, that is why my granddaughter had a THOROUGH cardiac eval shortly after birth (11.07.1991) Doctor: Hi,This is Dr Sameer, cardiologist.I fully understand your concerns about the illness of your granddaughter & the financial issues you are facing.First i would like to tell you that if she is having recurrent attacks of SVT than this murmur will not be innocent & may be associated with underlying heart problem. You need to do at least a echo to rule out serious problems. If they are not there than it is fine.Second, for recurrent SVT's we generally recommend for ablation, but there are many patients who are financially not so sound to undergo that & in them we prescribe medicine which they have to take life long. We prescribe Tab Dilzem SR 90mg starting from once daily dose & than increasing it gradually if required.Hope it was helpful.Thanks