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What Are The Symptoms Of Congestive Heart Failure?
Question: Male, 62
6’4”, 265 lbs. (dry weight after morning urination – loosing 1 pound per month by cutting down on portions/fatty foods)
BP 120 – 130 over 70 - 80
resp 15 breaths/min
blood oxygen 99 – 94%
all blood tests including last year’s normal
take Losartan/HCTZ 100-25
minor swelling of toes, feet, ankles reduced to minimal when the HCTZ was increased to 25, now minor swelling of shin area upon sitting for long periods – was told it was venous insufficiency
stress test and cauterization all ok 4 years ago – no stents inserted, the aide said I had a large heart and I asked him was that bad – he said no, there was no discussion about that from the doctor
quit drinking 3.5 years ago (drank beer), smoke 0.5 packs a day,
Urine clear to light yellow – I try to limit my water/fluids to minimize the swelling – drink 2 – 3 liters per day
Stool color ok – occasion constipation, stools general loose bit not diarrhea
Sleep 8 – 9 hours – generally straight through – not getting up to urinate or cough, not feeling breathless
I don’t exercise that much but when walking in stores I don’t appear to be out of breath
I have some peripheral neuropathy I believe in my feet, arms – tingly feeling on occasion
Occasional itching on a spot on the back of my hands – location varies Benadryl relieve the itch
Symptoms – occasional tickle cough – some mucous – clear – no blood, sometimes feel bloated after eating too much food,
Question – do I have CHF, cirrhosis, or both? Can these become acute?
6’4”, 265 lbs. (dry weight after morning urination – loosing 1 pound per month by cutting down on portions/fatty foods)
BP 120 – 130 over 70 - 80
resp 15 breaths/min
blood oxygen 99 – 94%
all blood tests including last year’s normal
take Losartan/HCTZ 100-25
minor swelling of toes, feet, ankles reduced to minimal when the HCTZ was increased to 25, now minor swelling of shin area upon sitting for long periods – was told it was venous insufficiency
stress test and cauterization all ok 4 years ago – no stents inserted, the aide said I had a large heart and I asked him was that bad – he said no, there was no discussion about that from the doctor
quit drinking 3.5 years ago (drank beer), smoke 0.5 packs a day,
Urine clear to light yellow – I try to limit my water/fluids to minimize the swelling – drink 2 – 3 liters per day
Stool color ok – occasion constipation, stools general loose bit not diarrhea
Sleep 8 – 9 hours – generally straight through – not getting up to urinate or cough, not feeling breathless
I don’t exercise that much but when walking in stores I don’t appear to be out of breath
I have some peripheral neuropathy I believe in my feet, arms – tingly feeling on occasion
Occasional itching on a spot on the back of my hands – location varies Benadryl relieve the itch
Symptoms – occasional tickle cough – some mucous – clear – no blood, sometimes feel bloated after eating too much food,
Question – do I have CHF, cirrhosis, or both? Can these become acute?
Brief Answer:
CHF/Alcoholic cardiomyopathy & Hypertension
Detailed Answer:
Hi,
Thank you for your query. I can understand your concerns.
Since you have large heart (cardiomegaly) with ankle edema and BP 120-130/70-80 on losartan 100 mg daily it indicates that you have congestive heart failure (CHF), more likely due to dilated cardiomyopathy, partly caused by chronic alcoholism(beer).
You are not having ischemic dilated cardiomyopthy as your cardiac catheterisation report is normal.
Your occasional dry cough is also consistent with CHF.
You do not have any evidence of cirrhosis e.g. ascites/peritoneal collection of fluid in abdomen and no melena indicating variceal bleeding (stool color ok).
You can have acute exacerbation of chronic heart failure if you take undue exertion or on excessive salt intake or have an infection e.g pneumonia.
Regards
Dr. T.K. Biswas M.D. XXXXXXX
CHF/Alcoholic cardiomyopathy & Hypertension
Detailed Answer:
Hi,
Thank you for your query. I can understand your concerns.
Since you have large heart (cardiomegaly) with ankle edema and BP 120-130/70-80 on losartan 100 mg daily it indicates that you have congestive heart failure (CHF), more likely due to dilated cardiomyopathy, partly caused by chronic alcoholism(beer).
You are not having ischemic dilated cardiomyopthy as your cardiac catheterisation report is normal.
Your occasional dry cough is also consistent with CHF.
You do not have any evidence of cirrhosis e.g. ascites/peritoneal collection of fluid in abdomen and no melena indicating variceal bleeding (stool color ok).
You can have acute exacerbation of chronic heart failure if you take undue exertion or on excessive salt intake or have an infection e.g pneumonia.
Regards
Dr. T.K. Biswas M.D. XXXXXXX
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Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Vaishalee Punj
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