Diastolic heart failure

[shenews]

Hello all,
It's been a while since I've posted. I had been doing well until about six months ago when I started with shortness of breath lying down and when active. Doc did TEE, CTA scan, echo, which all came back fine. Finally bloodwork showed heart failure. My heart squeezes great, just doesn't relax completely so fluid backs up into my organs and lungs. Am on Lasix, trying to exercise, and eat right to lose weight. If I don't take the Lasix though, get very wheezy and congestive at night. Had AVR almost 2 years ago.
Has anyone else ended up with diastolic heart failure after AVR?
thanks

 

[Eva]

Good luck with your exercise and diet, hoping this helps improve your condition.

 

[Nancy]

My husband had CHF for many, many years. What helps a lot is to keep your diet very low in sodium, weigh yourself every day in the morning after going to the bathroom, w/o any clothing. If there is a sudden weight gain of 2 pounds over night or several pounds over a three day period of time, this is not fat. it is fluid buildup.

If you see this, you can call your doctor and get any necessary changes to your diuretics to handle the extra fluid, and then the doctor can evaluate how to proceed with your diuresis.

Sometimes, fluid can build up in the abdomen too, and cause what is called ascites.

CHF sounds horrible, but can be managed with careful vigilance on your part and your doctor's part.

Some people have an ongoing problem with it, and for others it comes and goes.