Hi everyone
This morning I had one of my regular heart scans required for being on herceptin, and for the second time in a row the radiographer (?) commented on my heart being a bit large and did I do a lot of exercise (answer: not that much).
When I asked if everything was all right at the end he was a bit non-committal.
Now I am slightly freaking out as I have googled ‘enlarged heart’ and it doesn’t look great.
I know the usual side effect of herceptin is something to do with heart fraction tests but I am unsure whether an enlarged heart comes into it?? Does anyone know?
I am guessing that if it is serious someone will tell me, or I won’t be allowed to have my next herceptin, but I’m not sure.
I have been on herceptin for three and a half years, with heart scans throughout, and these last two occasions are the only times an enlarged heart has been mentioned.
Thanks for any comments
Justy
Hi Justy,
I have found that radiographers and the like sometimes make off the cuff comments without thinking about the person on the receiving end. It could mean nothing at all. I would expect the results go to your consultant and if there are any problems they will contact you. If you’re really worried why not phone your clinic and ask them. If you have a MacMillan or Cancer care nurse they should aslo be able to help. You shouldn’t be left in limbo to worry.
best of luck. Jan
Hi Justy
Unless your Doc’s bothered then I wouldnt worry, if they are they will treat it.
when I was found to have high blood pressure about 10 yers ago nobody told me but I sneaked a look at my X-ray and my heart was very enlarged (i’m a kids cardiac nurse so knew what I was looking for).
I got treated and it got sorted.
Also size on its own does not necessarily indicate a problem, lots of other things and signs and symptoms go into the mix.
Heart fraction is a measurment of how well the muscles of the heart are able to function and would be calculated when you had your scan so if there is a problem your doc will know.
So please ask your doctor and try not to scare yourself by looking at all the stuff you can read on line some can be very good but an awfull lot is rubbish.
take care glenna x
Thanks everyone - I got my herceptin anyway and my nurse didn’t seem to know anything about it - so I am presuming it can’t have been that bad.
I will ask my onc about it though when I see her.
Thanks again for your support
Justy x
Maybe you just have a very big heart - in the nicest possible way! Expect the onc’s been looking at it for the last 3 years so knows that. Glad it turned out okay
Jx