What is Heart Failure
Congestive heart failure (CHF), also called congestive cardiac failure (CCF) or just heart failure, is a condition that can result from any structural or functional cardiac disorde...
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When do I worry/call the dr?
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My SO is a 45 year old male with dilated cardiomyopathy and an EF of 20. He was diagnosed in fulminant heart failure in Jan 09. He has been doing well but this week is feeling a little weak/tired and says he has to take an extra "gulping" breath every now and then. He did a lot of yard work and some heavy lifting and I am hoping he just needs to rest. I don't know when I should worry and call the dr. He refuses to weigh himself daily and is not so good about his low salt diet. And he refuses to call the dr when he feels bad.
Thanks for listening. I just want to know if it is "normal" to have good and bad days with his condition and when to know it is something more. Posted on 05/08/09, 05:05 pm |
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His symptoms sound like he is retaining water, and it sounds like that is likely given he's not following the diet/ weighing himself. When I've felt an increase, the doc has increased medications via phone. Sometimes just taking an extra Lasix a couple of days will help get rid of the excess fluid.
Good luck--hope your SO gets over the anger (that we all understand) and starts following the doctor's orders. 
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I have the permission from my doctor when I see that my weight has increased 2 lbs in a 24 hour period to take an extra lasix. If he doesn't have that permisssion then he should call the doctor. I am pretty sure that he did too much in the yard and not watching his diet is causing a fluid overload. Good Luck!
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Thanks for the advice. He took an extra lasix last night and we had a low sodium dinner. He says he feels fine today. I think I need to be more pro-active with our dinner plans since he likes to fall back on ordering Chinese.
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Let your son know that i was the same way never weighed and drank too many liquids. Last time I was in the hospital they took 28 lbs off in fluid. My cardiologist says if you dont keep the fluids low it becomes increasingly harder to remain healthy. My EF was 19 but has increased to 25 and most days I feel really good. A good DR the right meds and a positive outlook on the lifechanges is the only way I am staying healthy. Also if I gain 3 -5 lbs in a day I increase Lasix but talk to the DR it can also lower your BP.
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