43% cardiac output. How come I feel so well?
I went for my 3 monthly heart scan last week, I continue on herceptin. I had to stop for 4 weeks as my cardiac output dropped to 44% . It was rechecked in a month and back to 58% ...but better method ...
Forum Discussion
Hi Kath, it must be frustrating to not know what you're actually dealing with and the attitude of the technician is appalling - we all need to feel confident about what is happening through treatment and that the tests are as accurate as possible.
It is possible that your new level of fitness has made your symptoms less noticeable. I didn't have too many symptoms when I experienced some heart issues while on Herceptin - some breathlessness - which I thought was to do with the radiation therapy I was having at the time. When I was tested it was down in the 40's (can't remember the actual level now) and I did have to stop briefly while I was referred to a cardiologist and put on heart tablets. I was also more closely monitored at that point onward. I only had a few more months to go but eventually finished the treatment and stayed on the tablets / monitoring for about 6 months after by which time my cardiac function was back in the normal range. Has your oncologist talked to you about what might need to happen if the test proves accurate so that you can continue with the Herceptin?
It is possible that your new level of fitness has made your symptoms less noticeable. I didn't have too many symptoms when I experienced some heart issues while on Herceptin - some breathlessness - which I thought was to do with the radiation therapy I was having at the time. When I was tested it was down in the 40's (can't remember the actual level now) and I did have to stop briefly while I was referred to a cardiologist and put on heart tablets. I was also more closely monitored at that point onward. I only had a few more months to go but eventually finished the treatment and stayed on the tablets / monitoring for about 6 months after by which time my cardiac function was back in the normal range. Has your oncologist talked to you about what might need to happen if the test proves accurate so that you can continue with the Herceptin?