Carbon monoxide poisoning heart damage

Carbon monoxide poisoning can cause heart damage. Survivors should have their heart checked and monitored.

When inhaled, not all carbon monoxide attaches to red blood cells. A small amount can also travel in blood plasma and cause cell damage without ever binding to hemoglobin or showing up on a blood test.

This "free" carbon monoxide in the bloodstream can trigger cell death of the lining of the heart and blood vessels, leading to the hardening of arteries (atherosclerotic heart disease). The same process also appears to kill brain cells responsible for memory and learning.

Although not widely known, the heart is more than just a pump. Neurocardiology research has shown that the heart is also a sensory organ and an information center with its own nervous system that is sophisticated enough to qualify as a "heart brain."

The heart and brain continuously talk to each other and influence one anothers functioning.

Although not well known, the heart actually sends more information to brain than the brain sends to the heart. The signals that the heart sends to the brain can influence perception, emotional processing, and cognition.

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SADS

cheryl fielding from australia

My daughter died suddenly at the age of 18 from cardiomyopathy I was exposed to co while I was carrying her, do you think this is related

What kind of doctor?

Nancy

Can someone recommend whether one should see a pulmonologist or a cardiologist?

It looks like there is a place that specializes in CO poisoning, the Minneapolis Heart Institute Foundation.
Here's an article by their researchers:
http://jama.ama-assn.org/content/295/4/398.long

It states:
"The most well-designed clinical trial of hyperbaric oxygen therapy in acute CO poisoning demonstrated improved neurological outcomes with hyperbaric oxygen at 6-week, 6-month, and 12-month follow-up."

So, one could get hyperbaric treatment long after the initial poisoning.

Heart, memory issues

Steph from TX

My family was poisoned with severe CO when I was 16 in Springfield, MO. While they never gave us information on what would happen in the future, I have to wonder if the heavy, irregular heartbeats, short-term memory, and exhaustion I've experienced in the years since are tied-in somehow. Are there any cures for this?

Irregular heart beat

Ernie from USA

I have many symptoms since my poisoning. My heart beat is especially irregular when I feel stressed or have caffeine. It is not painful but definitely feels heavier and way different than before I was poisoned. My doctors says I am fine but I am seeking a second opinion.

Carbon Monoxide Poisoned

Christine from Ohio

I was poisoned from 2002 8 months into 2003. We bought a home and it had CM leaking though it. We told our insurance company who at the time was American Family. They told us to just keep the windows open until the new furnance and hot water tank was installed in August! The whole family was exposed but I am a house hermit so I got the brunt of it all.

I have numerous health problems. The first doctor I had would\\\'t do anything he just said there is no after effects from carbon monoxide. I am sick all the time and in pain. Never gets any better just worse. I now have a heart condition I didn\\\\\\\'t have, seizures, fibromyalgia, memory problems etc.. almost all the symptoms that are on the page.

My hubby and my family especially my Mom is my rock. It is very hard to deal with let alone survive. No one understands what you are going though.

I am glad to have survived but it is a daily struggle.

We tried to sue the seller but she never showed up in court. She knew about the problem otherwise she would have shown up and faced the music. Instead she decided sell a home that had a serious problem and let a family suffer.

My CO-symptoms

Nigel

Definitely have heart palpitations and a heavier feeling heartbeat at times. It feels different than before my poisoning.

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