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IS Shortness Of Breath A Symptom Of Congestive Heart Failure?
Question: I am a 69 year old woman. I am very obese. I have high BP, an irregular heartbeat, pre-diabetic, and CHF. I was diagnosed with CHF in November 2014. At the time I lost 20lbs but have gained and lost it in the last year. They told me to watch my sodium, water, and weight. About 3 weeks ago I had a very bad cough with a wheeze, sneezing, etc. I went to the walk in clinic because my Dr. was not open. They did an exray and blood tests. I had Bronchtis and fluid in my lungs. The Dr. gave me IV fluid and an antibiotic. They checked with my Dr. about the Antibiotic because I am on a blood thinner but he said it would be o.k. After about 2 weeks the cough was gone except for an occasional cough and very slight occasional wheeze. I have very bad arthritis in both my knees. My Dr. will not due a TKR until I lose weight. I am going to physical rehab twice a week for exercises to strengthen the muscles around the knees. When I walk I get a little out of breath along with the severe knee pain and also the weight. Could these call be contributing to the out of breath feeling or is it just the CHF. They did tell me if I lost weight that everything would get better. I am so scared because I have read that CHF patients die in the first 5 years. If I lose a large amount of weight now could it help me to get better and feel better?
Brief Answer:
Considerations
Detailed Answer:
hello and thank you for sending the question.
First of all I want to tell you that you should not focus on this particular statistic that somebody conveyed to you. I have many patients who have had a diagnosis of congestive heart failure for decades.
I think a lot of your symptoms are multi factorial. The congestive heart failure makes it a little more difficult for you to exercise and exert yourself. At the same time your muscles are probably somewhat deconditioned. The extra weight that you're carrying makes it hard for your joints to move during exercise because they are performing exercise with the additional stress of the extra weight you have at this time.
The progress that you will make in the coming months and years will be one small step at a time. Sometimes I think we get overwhelmed with wanting to feel better and obtain better function quickly when in the greater scheme of things slow steady progress will get you to your ultimate goal of achieving optimal health. It might seem insurmountable right now but I am sure he will get there with good support and an optimistic outlook on your part.
if your doctors can continue to manage the congestive heart failure by optimizing your medication regimen you will continue to lead A long and healthy life. If you lose weight the stress on your heart will become less and you might actually achieve some improvement of your heart function.
Thank you again for sending your question and please do not lose the enthusiasm you have now for improving in achieving optimal health.
Sincerely,
Dr. Galamaga
Considerations
Detailed Answer:
hello and thank you for sending the question.
First of all I want to tell you that you should not focus on this particular statistic that somebody conveyed to you. I have many patients who have had a diagnosis of congestive heart failure for decades.
I think a lot of your symptoms are multi factorial. The congestive heart failure makes it a little more difficult for you to exercise and exert yourself. At the same time your muscles are probably somewhat deconditioned. The extra weight that you're carrying makes it hard for your joints to move during exercise because they are performing exercise with the additional stress of the extra weight you have at this time.
The progress that you will make in the coming months and years will be one small step at a time. Sometimes I think we get overwhelmed with wanting to feel better and obtain better function quickly when in the greater scheme of things slow steady progress will get you to your ultimate goal of achieving optimal health. It might seem insurmountable right now but I am sure he will get there with good support and an optimistic outlook on your part.
if your doctors can continue to manage the congestive heart failure by optimizing your medication regimen you will continue to lead A long and healthy life. If you lose weight the stress on your heart will become less and you might actually achieve some improvement of your heart function.
Thank you again for sending your question and please do not lose the enthusiasm you have now for improving in achieving optimal health.
Sincerely,
Dr. Galamaga
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Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
Answered by
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