Had Mitral Valve Repair. Coughing And Breathing Spasm. What To Do?

Posted on Thu, 3 Oct 2013

Medically reviewed by Ask A Doctor - 24x7 Medical Review Team

Thu, 3 Oct 2013 Answered on

Thu, 24 Oct 2013 Last reviewed on

Question : My companion is 71 year old female.. She had mitral valve repair two years ago and once in awhile goes into atrial fib.
Other than that she is in good health, plays golf, active social life. This evening for the first time she had a brief coughing and breathing spasm with difficulty breathing for a very short time.. She's OK now. What do I do if this happens again this evening before she can see a doctor in the next few days.

Answered by Dr. Kulsoom Qureshi (2 hours later)

Brief Answer:
She should be taken to a hospital's ER

Detailed Answer:
Hi,
Thanks for writing in.
For a 71 year old woman with a history of heart disease, such an episode could be life threatening. You should take her immediately to a hospital emergency room (ER) in case she develops these symptoms again, so that, she can be given the treatment in a timely manner.
In ER her necessary tests will be done to detect any complications like embolism & she may get the treatment she needs.
In case she stays fine, you should report this recent episode to her doctor in the next visit.
Best wishes.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar