help!! i think i meay have congestive heart failure!!?

Question

i went to the doctor monday and told her ive been having chest pains, been out of breath, tired, not being able to sleep, just all around miserable! i also have depression, anixety, and am under a lot of stress. i have a heart test in april, but a lot could be wrong since then. i had blood tests done in june, but idk if they can tell through blood. my doctor listened to my jeart, and didnt say anything was wrong, but idk if they can telll through that! err, i dont know whats going on. should i get another test? how would i know if i have it?

thanx so much vox

thanx suenami!!! im going to call her tomorrow

Answer 1

The basic criteria to be labeled as CHF is as under, so you can understand your problem:

Definition
Heart failure, also called "congestive heart failure," is a disorder where the heart loses its ability to pump blood efficiently. The result is that the body doesn't get as much oxygen and nutrients as it needs, leading to problems like fatigue and shortness of breath. Heart failure is almost always a chronic, long-term condition that is managed with medications and lifestyle changes. (Although it can sometimes develop suddenly.)

Radiographic Appearance

* Chest x-ray

o Although diagnostic tests are of limited benefit in acute CHF, chest x-ray (CXR) is the most useful tool.

o Cardiomegaly may be observed with a cardiothoracic ratio greater than 50%. Pleural effusions may be present bilaterally or, if they are unilateral, are more commonly observed on the right.

o Early CHF may manifest as cephalization of pulmonary vessels, generally reflecting a pulmonary capillary wedge pressure (PCWP) of 12-18 mm Hg. As the interstitial fluid accumulates, more advanced CHF may be demonstrated by Kerley B lines (PCWP: 18-25 mm Hg).

o Pulmonary edema is observed as perihilar infiltrates often in the classic butterfly pattern reflecting a PCWP greater than 25 mm Hg.

o Several limitations exist to the use of chest x-rays when attempting to diagnose CHF. Classic radiographic progression often is not found, and as much as a 12-hour radiographic lag from onset of symptoms may occur. In addition, radiographic findings frequently persist for several days despite clinical recovery.
Echocardiogram for Ejection fractin which can be < 50%.
Ref: Grossman. Emedicine Textbook. Congestive Heart Failure and Pulmonary Edema. Plantz and Adler, editors. 2002
Ref: http://www.nursingceu.com/NCEU/courses/chf/

Pathology
Congestive heart failure (CHF) is an imbalance in pump function in which the heart fails to maintain the circulation of blood adequately. The most severe manifestation of CHF, pulmonary edema, develops when this imbalance causes an increase in lung fluid secondary to leakage from pulmonary capillaries into the interstitium and alveoli of the lung.

CHF can be categorized as forward or backward ventricular failure. Backward failure is secondary to elevated systemic venous pressure, while left ventricular failure is secondary to reduced forward flow into the aorta and systemic circulation. Furthermore, heart failure can be subdivided into systolic and diastolic dysfunction. Systolic dysfunction is characterized by a dilated left ventricle with impaired contractility, while diastolic dysfunction occurs in a normal or intact left ventricle with impaired ability to relax and receive as well as eject blood.

The New York Heart Association's functional classification of CHF is one of the most useful. Class I describes a patient who is not limited with normal physical activity by symptoms. Class II occurs when ordinary physical activity results in fatigue, dyspnea, or other symptoms. Class III is characterized by a marked limitation in normal physical activity. Class IV is defined by symptoms at rest or with any physical activity.

Treatment:
Use of diuretics, nitrates, analgesics, and inotropic agents are indicated for the treatment of CHF and pulmonary edema. Calcium channel blockers, such as nifedipine and nondihydropyridines, increase mortality and increase incidence of recurrent CHF with chronic use. Conflicting evidence currently exists in favor, as well as against, the use of calcium channel blockers in the acute setting; at this time limit their acute use to patients with diastolic dysfunction and heart failure, a condition not easily determined in the ED.
CHANGE YOUR CARDIOLOGIST IF YOU ARE NOT SATISFIED IT'S MANDATORY.

Answer 2

1

Answer 3

2

Answer 4

Hmmm...

Are you overweight? Being overweight can def. make you feel tired a lot, and feel out of breath, in doing even the smallest things, such as tying a shoe lace or brushing your teeth.
Do you sleep? Sleeping repairs the body, mind, muscles, and basically prepares them for the next day. If you have been staying awake, this can cause you to feel tired all the time and stressed out, 'cause your body is asking for a break.

Do you eat? It's important to eat three meals a day so that the stomach if also okay and we're not feeling bugged, irritated, stressed, or angry.

Are you involved in any sort of extracurricular activities? It's one of the best therapeutic things to do. This helps you to express yourself and laugh with others and live life and release the body.

I think you are extremely depressed. Go see a new doctor, a CARDIOLOGIST, if you think it is your heart.

If he/she says your heart is fine, then it's time you open the door and enjoy life.

Answer 5

I am so sorry to hear about your dog. In September 2006 I had a Dobie diagnosed with Cardiomyopathy (CHF). She was seen by our vet & a cardiologist. Had an EKG done and she also wore the Holter Monitor for 24 hours. She was put on meds and was doing fine till May 2007. For over a month her condition gradually went down hill, very little strength to even hold herself up to walk, and much difficulty breathing. On June 6 as bad as I hated it I made the decission to let her go the following day. It broke my heart to loose her, but I knew she fought her best and was getting very tired so we made our last trip to the vet . I can say at least I had those extra 9 months with her after she was diagnosed.

Answer 6

You went to the doctor Monday and told her all those things. But you don't say what she told you. Did she give you any prescriptions? Did she recommend oxygen? Did she mention sleep apnea? Did she check to see if your feet and ankles were swolen?

I can only speak as one who DOES have congestive heart failure. Had she determined that you had it, she would not have sent you home empty handed. She might not have sent you home at all but opted to put you in the hospital for a short time. There'd be some pretty serious prescriptions, there'd be a low-salt diet, there'd be instructions to elevate your feet, etc.

You need to work with your doctor, not just trust her to have a crystal ball of some kind. You need to NOT leave her office till you have answers to your questions and some sort of program to follow for getting better.

Answer 7

If you believe your doctor has misdiagnosed you, ask him for a second opinion. He will be happy to provide you with the name of someone else you can see.

Don't trust strangers on the internet with questions about your health. Even if the person answering was a doctor, there is no way you can accurately describe your medical history and ailment enough for a diagnosis over the internet.

Answer 8

try this herbal tea mentioned below which is a boon for people who wish to stay away from heart diseases and want to stay fit n fine.My mother tried it first and felt great after 3 weeks .Now her cholesterol levels are in control and now she does not get chest pains.Now we all were hooked to its coz of its immense benefits. Do try it as it is available in Canda, USA and UK.Its name is KHALSA DESI TEA (HERBAL TEA).
Khalsa Desi Tea(Herbal Tea) which is a product of Dasmesh Drug Pharma, Amritsar (INDIA)is a blend of eleven medicinal herbs/plants which together makes Khalsa Desi Tea, a very good general health tonic/beverage. It is also very useful in cough, cold, flu and soar throat like conditions. It can be taken daily, just like any other beverage. This herbal tea does not contain caffeine as is the case with coffee and tea leaves and so does not cause addiction and acidity when consumed daily. Most importantly, this tea is free from any side effects as it is made from natural herbs. It is a refreshing and an energetic drink with all the goodness natural herbs blended into one formulation. Given below is the brief description of some of its ingredients:

Arjuna Bark (Terminallia arjuna) which is on of the chief ingredient of Khalsa Desi Tea, is very beneficial for the heart as it has been proved beyond doubt that it helps in clearing blocked arteries and strengthens the heart muscles. This has also been proved in a research by Dr.K.N.Udupa in Banaras Hindu University's Institute of Medical Sciences , Varanasi (India).In this research, they found that powdered extract of the above drug provided very good results to the people suffering from Coronary heart diseases.

Tulsi Leaves(Ocimum sanctum) which is a very sacred herb in India and which is also very useful in conditions like fever, warding off and even curing peptic ulcers and other stress related illness. Besides numerous ancient textbooks and literature on the medicinal uses of Tulsi, modern day research on Tulsi was reported by Dr. Narender Singh, Assistant Director of the Department of Pharmacology at the King George’s Medical College, Lucknow (INDIA).

Nagarmothan (Cyperus rotundus) which has been described in Ayurveda as a corrective and remover of endotoxins.It has very good digestive and carminative properties. It is an effective killer of intestinal worms, a diuretic and an antipyretic medicine. Many ancient texts have also described it as an anti-inflammatory medicine, a general and nervine tonic, a promoter of uterine contractions and an excellent binder of stool. Even in ancient times, Nagarmothan was a favourite of Ayurvedic physicians for treating a number of diseases. It is a now a days a drug of choice for treating the majority of gastrointestinal problems like anorexia, vomiting, diarrhoea, dysentery and specific and non specific colitis.It is also used in various other ailments like fever, burning micturation, skin diseases, rheumatoid arthritis, painful menstruation etc.


Similarily, other ingredients of Khalsa Desi Tea (herbal tea) are also known to have many medicinal and other beneficial effects. The other ingredients of Khalsa Desi Tea are : Talis Patra, Tej Patra, Mulethi, Green Fennel, Jarhpaan (Pan Mool), Dal chini, Piper longum and Red chandan which are known for various beneficial effects in conditions like cough ,cold, soar throat, acidity, flatulence, enhancing general body vitality and appetite.