I'm very young but I think I may have the disease but i'm not diagnosed and I need some dental work done NOW. However I understand that you're not supposed to get dental work done with HF. I've had some done when I had the HF symptoms. Actually a lot and by a lot I mean 5-6 visits.

(A tooth needs to be pulled due to recurring abscess)

As for HF Q'S.

1.How bad is the edema usually(swelling)?

I have a puffy area on the sides of my feet but even my doctor said it wasn't pitting bad at all and might not be heart failure related.

2.How bad is the shortness of breath supposed to be?

I didn't have this problem at first but in a matter of weeks it has started developing

3.How fast should HF develop?

Since Febuary i've had a flutter in my chest and it is still going. (It stops sometimes) My docs and parents dismiss it as anxienty but I think it's a load of bull. Over a period of two months i've gone from having swollen feet and feeling fine to weight gain, swollen feet, and feeling like i'm going to die everyday. I can get around but I feel so weak and it seems like its rapidly developing.

I'm worried but my parents think nothing is wrong and I can't get to the doctor

My Mom has CHF - it first started with Afib and years later she got CHF. Her feet used to swell - she takes Lasix now and it's well under control. Before you diagnose yourself, you MUST see a proper doctor. He or she will decide if you need all the necessary tests to diagnose heart disease. Also, my Mom takes coumadin (blood thinner) along with other meds, and when she had a tooth pulled, she had to stop taking it a few days before. Otherwise, she can definately have dental work done.

I'm very young but I think I may have the disease but i'm not diagnosed and I need some dental work done NOW. However I understand that you're not supposed to get dental work done with HF. I've had some done when I had the HF symptoms. Actually a lot and by a lot I mean 5-6 visits.

(A tooth needs to be pulled due to recurring abscess)

As for HF Q'S.

1.How bad is the edema usually(swelling)?

I have a puffy area on the sides of my feet but even my doctor said it wasn't pitting bad at all and might not be heart failure related.

2.How bad is the shortness of breath supposed to be?

I didn't have this problem at first but in a matter of weeks it has started developing

3.How fast should HF develop?

Since Febuary i've had a flutter in my chest and it is still going. (It stops sometimes) My docs and parents dismiss it as anxienty but I think it's a load of bull. Over a period of two months i've gone from having swollen feet and feeling fine to weight gain, swollen feet, and feeling like i'm going to die everyday. I can get around but I feel so weak and it seems like its rapidly developing.

I'm worried but my parents think nothing is wrong and I can't get to the doctor

With heart failure an antibiotic is not usually necessary for dental work. If one has a VALVE problem, it is recommended to take medication if the dental procedure causes bleeding. This is to protect a vulnerable valve from bacterial infection.

Heart failure may cause blood to back up into the lungs causing fluids to leak into the system and cause edema (swollen ankles, etc.)

If there is lung edema, there will be dry coughing and shortness of breath. Especially when inclined.

Heart failure is usually a slow process. But many don't have any symptoms while in or prior to heart failure, but an onset of symptoms may quickly appear and an exam will show heart failure.

The very 1st thing you should do is make an appointment with your doctor for an examination. They might, depending on your results, refer you to a cardiologist. It is very important for you to find out if you are having heart problems and start treatment. I was dx in April 2004 with CHF/DCM only after nearly collapsing at my daughter's softball game. Heart disease is not something one should take lightly. As far as whether or not you need an antibiotic before dental work, well that really depends on if you have a heart problem. My dentist did give me an antibiotic (just to be on the safe side). I'm not sure if your dentist will give you one on the assumption that you "think" you might have CHF. As far as symptoms, they do vary and as kenkeith said, it doesn't develop over night but when they do occur you are usually in alot of trouble. You didn't say how old you are, but I suggest that you discuss this with your parents right away. Good luck, :) Lynda