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Is Albuterol Intake Safe For A Person With Heart Failure?

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Posted on Fri, 4 Dec 2015
Question: My mom is 91. 5 ft tall. 113 lbs.. One kidney... It is ok.. She has cong heart failure. Usually controlled. Recently she hasnt been watching her salt. Weight has been ok. Ankles a little puffy. A little congestive and sob at night lying flat . She has albuterol. Is it usually ok to take albuterol if congesttion is part of chf and not asthma??
doctor
Answered by Dr. Ilir Sharka (35 minutes later)
Brief Answer:
I would explain as follows:

Detailed Answer:
Hello!

Thank you for asking on HCM!

I understand your concern and would explain that facing her history of congestive heart failure and her actual clinical symptomatology of ankle edema and shortness of breathing at night when lying flat, it is necessary to undergo heart failure treatment optimization.

Probably the best alternative is to add a diuretic drug, or if she is actually having such a treatment to increase a daily dosage.

But before proceeding to the above step, it is necessary to perform a careful physical examination for investigating the full picture and severity of congestion, resting ECG to rule in/out possible cardiac arrhythmia, chest X ray for exploring bilateral lung fields, a complete blood count and PCR to rule out anemia or inflammation/infection and especially a cardiac ultrasound for quantifying the overall cardiac performance.

Only after such a comprehensive approach, the most appropriate therapeutic strategy could be followed.

Regarding albuterol it may be safely used if asthma symptomatology is aggravated.

Hope to have been helpful!

Feel free to ask any other questions whenever you need!

Greetings!

Dr. Iliri
Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
doctor
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Follow up: Dr. Ilir Sharka (12 minutes later)
Sir she wants to sleep alot this afternoon . Had some toast and oj this morn...not like herself... Wonder if i shoukl go o emergency room t
doctor
Answered by Dr. Ilir Sharka (1 hour later)
Brief Answer:
My opinion :

Detailed Answer:
Hi again,

If your mother is experiencing the usual difficulty in breathing and no significant hemodynamic alterations are present (marked hypotention and/or heart rhythm disturbances), then there is no need to hurry up to the ER doctor.

Just a near appointment with her cardiologist would be suitable.

But, if the above serious adverse implications are present, you should immediately seek medical assistance to the nearest ER service.

Regards,

Dr.Iliri
Note: For further queries related to coronary artery disease and prevention, click here.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
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Answered by
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Dr. Ilir Sharka

Cardiologist

Practicing since :2001

Answered : 9541 Questions

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Is Albuterol Intake Safe For A Person With Heart Failure?

Brief Answer: I would explain as follows: Detailed Answer: Hello! Thank you for asking on HCM! I understand your concern and would explain that facing her history of congestive heart failure and her actual clinical symptomatology of ankle edema and shortness of breathing at night when lying flat, it is necessary to undergo heart failure treatment optimization. Probably the best alternative is to add a diuretic drug, or if she is actually having such a treatment to increase a daily dosage. But before proceeding to the above step, it is necessary to perform a careful physical examination for investigating the full picture and severity of congestion, resting ECG to rule in/out possible cardiac arrhythmia, chest X ray for exploring bilateral lung fields, a complete blood count and PCR to rule out anemia or inflammation/infection and especially a cardiac ultrasound for quantifying the overall cardiac performance. Only after such a comprehensive approach, the most appropriate therapeutic strategy could be followed. Regarding albuterol it may be safely used if asthma symptomatology is aggravated. Hope to have been helpful! Feel free to ask any other questions whenever you need! Greetings! Dr. Iliri