Sons referral to cardiology

If you have any chest related questions such as asthma, palpitations, angina, chest tightness or breast issues please post your questions here.

Moderator: talkhealth

Locked
3 posts
jayne9982
Posts: 1
Joined: Sun Nov 17, 2013 7:01 pm
Quote

by jayne9982 on Sun Nov 17, 2013 7:17 pm

Sons referral to cardiology

Hi. My son who is 14 has been experiencing breathlessness on slight exercise and rest over a few months now. Over the last month, every time he has a meal, he feels sick. He is also very tired at times.He has had a full blood test which has shown fine and had an ecg last week which has shown abnormalities. I cannot remember the medical terms which were used when we were advised by the gp, but he said it indicated that his heart could be enlarged.His gp has referred him to a cardiologist last week. As time goes by, I am getting more and more worried. I have watched him play a football match today and could clearly see he was very out of breath very quickly.Should I stop him from playing football (he plays for a local team) and pe at school until he has been seen by the cardiologist? Thank you. Jayne

User avatar
Gary Turner
Posts: 107
Joined: Wed Oct 09, 2013 9:04 am
Quote

by Gary Turner on Mon Nov 18, 2013 6:40 pm

Re: Sons referral to cardiology

This is a difficult one for sure.

Is his breathing causing him difficulties? If so, I would keep him exercising but maybe to not the same extremes. (Movement and mobilisation of the body has MASSIVE health benefits!) If his breath is limiting him and he is stopping as a result - then good, he is listening to his body.

The problem may arise if he has a condition and he pushes it - there may be problems as a result.

I would definitely ask your GP's advice - and really listen to the cardiologist! Also, your son shouldn't be playing football with any condition that his coaches aren't aware of - so definitely talk to the coach too!

The tests may come back absolutely fine of course. Yet I would always suggest edging on the side of caution, and also monitoring his play closely.

If he's totally fine, then there may be physiological and psychological causes for it, which can usually be simply addressed. The physiological may even be something straight forward like getting 'the first wind' while playing. This is where the body requires more oxygen in the first couple of minutes of more strenuous work, and the heart and lungs work harder to get the oxygen in. This may cause his breathlessness for example - which may be made worse by anxiety over it.

In other words, as a coach myself I would say ask your GP, listen closely to the cardiologist, and advise the coach too - and take the balanced view, yet always on the side of caution.

Hope this helps a little!
Gary Turner
Advisor to British Army School of Physical Training, World Champion Elite Sportsman

http://www.talkhealthpartnership.com/on ... turner.php

User avatar
Dr Jon Rees
Posts: 79
Joined: Mon Nov 21, 2011 3:07 pm
Quote

by Dr Jon Rees on Mon Nov 18, 2013 10:37 pm

Re: Sons referral to cardiology

Hi

worrying for you - clearly he needs full assessment and I would echo Gary's note of caution until you have a clearer picture of what is wrong with him. If he really is breathless on mild exertion I would stop him playing football until you have more answers.

The ECG you mention - it is common in young men to see changes that look like enlargement of the heart (left ventricular hypertrophy) but this can just be due to his age - however, he probably needs an echocardiogram to look at his heart in detail (an ultrasound scan of the heart).

Has he been assessed for asthma - does he wheeze or cough at all - a common reason for young men to be breathless when exercising - can be diagnosed by doing what is called a peak flow diary - your GP can easily arrange this with you.

Hope that is helpful - take him back to your GP if you are worried - you don't have to just wait for the cardiologist's opinion....
Dr Jon Rees
GP, Backwell & Nailsea Medical Group with specialist interest in Men’s Health and Urology

http://www.talkhealthpartnership.com/on ... n_rees.php

Locked
3 posts