Chf Please Help

[m2jm05]

my father went to the DR last week because he has been having problems with his breathing. He get's very out of breath doing small things. The DR said it was probably a cold coming on and gave him a inhaler. He went back in today, because it's no better. The DR said he has congestive heart failure. They put him on
digitek 0.25

pot-chloride 10meq

furosemide 40 mg

He is to rest in bed for the next 48 hours and if he is no better he has to be hospitalized. I am so scared of losing my father! He is my life. I have been worried sick all day today and just in tears. I read so much about it in such little time and everything is making me worse. From what I the outlook for people with CHF is not good at all. Can someone PLEASE give me some info here.

[Machaon]

I've had heart failure for 20 years. At times, I had to sleep sitting up, and had to sit straight up to watch TV, or I would have problems breathing. My legs and ankles swelled up. I sweated badly with little exertion. I was fatigued easily. My concentration levels were terrible. My heart would beat badly at all times, and my blood pressure, while good in the morning, soared during the evening. I was tired all the time.

That said, my health has improved greatly. I went on a small serving, frequent feeding, diet of about 1600 calories per day, eating high fiber foods, avoiding snacks, and avoiding white potatoes, white bread, white rice, white pasta, and eating only foods low on the glycemic index.

I am doing much better and even lifting weights each day to build myself up. I seldom have breathing problems, except if it is caused by my Asthma.

I don't like the combination of medications that your dad is taking. I prefer an Ace Inhibitor (ACE) in place of the pot-chloride 10meq. Almost every article I have ever read about the treatment of heart failure recommends ACEs.

Ace Inhibitors help to lower the blood pressure. One, usually minor, problem with ACEs is that they cause the body to retain potassium. The Pot-chloride 10meq attempts to replace the potassium loss from the diuretic, furosemide. So, why not use an ACE that helps the body retain potassium and, at the same time, lowers the blood pressure? Plus, most cardiologists prescribe ACEs for heart failure.

I am not a doctor, nor do I have any medical training. I am just someone with heart failure. Just thought I would offer my opinion.

Best of luck to you and your father.

[pistons22girl]

I'm 19 yrs old and went through CHF due to a recent pregnancy. Trust me, everything you read online is negative.. But CHF doesn't always mean death.. so try to calm yourself. A lot of what you read online are case studies done on a very small group of people or a very small portion of a large group. Try to calm yourself, cause trust me, I let those case studies scare the crap out of me. There are ways to heal your heart. Your dad will need to take it easy, watch his fluid intake (probably less than a 2 liter a day), and limit his sodium-intake dramatically so fluid will not build up anymore around his heart. You could cook him grilled chicken or healthy, low sodium foods. Also try to keep him on fresh fruits and veggies.. I'm no doctor, but I've learned a little about CHF since I was diagnosed. Try to pray and give it a little time. Sorry to hear about your situation.

[started04]

Originally Posted by m2jm05

my father went to the DR last week because he has been having problems with his breathing. He get's very out of breath doing small things. The DR said it was probably a cold coming on and gave him a inhaler. He went back in today, because it's no better. The DR said he has congestive heart failure. They put him on
digitek 0.25

pot-chloride 10meq

furosemide 40 mg

He is to rest in bed for the next 48 hours and if he is no better he has to be hospitalized. I am so scared of losing my father! He is my life. I have been worried sick all day today and just in tears. I read so much about it in such little time and everything is making me worse. From what I the outlook for people with CHF is not good at all. Can someone PLEASE give me some info here.

More than 3 years ago I was hospitalized 3 days in ICU for congested heart failure. I have not had any problems or limiting symptoms since...but require medication.

The treatment your father is taking is a diuretic to reduce fluids in the circulatory system and lungs, etc. The Pot chloride is to replinish any lost minerals/electrolytes with the diuretic medication. The Digitek increases the heart's pumping functionality. The medication will enable a better supply of oxygen and provide rest for the heart to recovery.

I also take medication to dilate vessels and slow the heart rate. Lowering blood pressure and slower heart rate also provides relief from the heart's workload.

The outlook is based on the underlying cause. From your information, the fact your father is not hospitalized indicates the belief home care and the medication can provide the relief necessary for the heart to recovery.

Does your father have high blood pressure, coronary artery blockage, any heart valve insufficiency...and a fast heart rate, dry cough, hyperventalating, sense not able breath, etc.? Those were some of my symptoms, and I was diagnosed with minor edema and put on an oxygen breathing unit.

Sorry for any duplication of information...just now read other posts

[Deucey Deuce]

Originally Posted by started04

More than 3 years ago I was hospitalized 3 days in ICU for congested heart failure. I have not had any problems or limiting symptoms since...but require medication.

The treatment your father is taking is a diuretic to reduce fluids in the circulatory system and lungs, etc. The Pot chloride is to replinish any lost minerals/electrolytes with the diuretic medication. The Digitek increases the heart's pumping functionality. The medication will enable a better supply of oxygen and provide rest for the heart to recovery.

I also take medication to dilate vessels and slow the heart rate. Lowering blood pressure and slower heart rate also provides relief from the heart's workload.

The outlook is based on the underlying cause. From your information, the fact your father is not hospitalized indicates the belief home care and the medication can provide the relief necessary for the heart to recovery.

Does your father have high blood pressure, coronary artery blockage, any heart valve insufficiency...and a fast heart rate, dry cough, hyperventalating, sense not able breath, etc.? Those were some of my symptoms, and I was diagnosed with minor edema and put on an oxygen breathing unit.

This advise above is correct - Fellow CHFer here. My EF was 17% a year ago and now it is 57%. Make sure your father keeps his sodium intake near 1000mg a day. (not easy but it is a MUST). Doing this is just as important as taking meds... In my opinion - more important- .. Also keep water intake down to 62 ounces a day (this includes water in foods). Bottom line is this - The heart is having problems pumping so you have to do what you can to make it easier on it. Limiting sodium will reduce water retention.. water retention gives the heart more to pump and more work to do!.. Water in the lungs is a sign the body is not handling fluid well. Diuretics help but the goal should be to manage the fluid and sodium intake to get off the diuretic if possible. Good Luck!

Sorry for any duplication of information...just now read other posts