I am a 53 y.o. female, I have not had a heart attack. I have high blood pressure and am slightly overweigth as well a a smoker. I do have a chronic lung problem (not COPD or asthma). I was in the hospital last week and saw the cardiologist on Monday. He put me on Lasix and potassium and said I may need to go back to the hospital if I don't start breathing better. I am bettter but still SOB. This is the second time in a year I have been in the hospital for this. My cath and ECHO are normal. I feel like I am staring death in the eyes and feel like I am not going to be here long. Any serious answers/advice besides quit smoking and lose weight.
2007-03-01 10:05:23 · 5 answers · asked by sweet sue 6 in Health ➔ Diseases & Conditions ➔ Heart Diseases
Diastolic dysfunction means that the heart does not relax very well and therefore does not fill normally - long history of poorly controlled blood pressure is often responsible. Goals from a cardiac stand point should be ideal blood pressure control with systolic pressure b/n 110 and 120. Your heart rate should be in the 60's. Diuretics to control fluid back-up as needed.
Unfortunately you have a difficult combination of COPD (I know you said you DON'T have COPD but you almost certainly do) and diastolic dysfunction which can lead to "flash" pulmonary edema - that is, rapid, sudden decompensation.
Using medications that reduce after load will be important too - e.g. ACE inhibitors, ARB's, or hydralazine and long-acting nitrates can be helpful.
If you have not been evaluated for sleep apnea it is worthwhile to consider it. Often hard-to-control blood pressure has a sleep apnea basis. Once treated it also will help the diastolic dysfunction.
Finally you want to avoid the two things that ARE controllable and ARE exacerbating your general health...you may want to reconsider how "impossible" it is to change. Your life and quality of life may depend on it.
Good luck.
2007-03-01 11:07:53 · answer #1 · answered by c_schumacker 6 · 1⤊ 0⤋
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2016-05-17 09:09:05 · answer #2 · answered by ? 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
No, quitting smoking and loosing weight are the obvious steps that you can take if you really want to take action to prolong your life and you obviously already know this, my guess is that your doctor has already preached this to you! There is no easy answer, you need to be proactive in your healthcare if you want to live!
2007-03-01 17:31:09 · answer #3 · answered by sbj95 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Sounds like congestive heart failure, in which case quitting smoking is not an option, it's a must.
2007-03-01 11:53:34 · answer #4 · answered by jimmymae2000 7 · 1⤊ 1⤋
hang in there lady with the right meds and care you can live toa ripe old age. i know i have had 7 heart attacks. i'm 55 y.o. man . i'm doing fine now. good luck and may god bless.
2007-03-01 10:13:33 · answer #5 · answered by cowboy 4 · 3⤊ 0⤋