CHF

My husband has had many things with his heart, currently on defibrillator #5 for VF.  My question really is about the Lasix related to the water surrounding the heart.  He says if his ankles and legs don't show water buildup he doesn't take the pills, but I'm wondering if this is the only way that water buildup around the heart can be detected, shouldn't he be taking the pills anyway? He has felt 'dry' at times and urinating excessive and felt to stop at times, please advise.. mamaj

[Encephalomalcia]

Right side heart failure shows symptoms of ankles and legs swelling.  Left side heart failure shows symptoms of water in lungs and around heart.  Left side heart failure is more serious than right side.  With left side heart failure, usually there is a cough that can produce clear mucus. Sometimes the Lasix prescription is not enough and the person needs to be hospitalized for IV Lasix to get all the water off.  Water buildup is dangerous, but dehydration is dangerous also and can be life threatening.  You need to know the signs of dehydration.  Wrinkled fingers, cherry red lips, white gums, dry gums.  Does he also take potassium supplement?  Potassium is needed for the heart to beat.  Lasix removes Potassium and there needs to be a replacement of the Potassium lost.  Make sure that he does not put on a pound a day, which can mean water buildup.  He should be weighing himself daily.  

[Dr. Kokil Mathur]

Hi
Thanks for writing to the forum!

You got some good advice from Encephalomalacia. Take your husband’s weight daily to see if the weight is increasing. If he lies down for long periods, check the tail bone point for edema (dependent edema). The edema may not reach his ankles. If he is on laxis talk to the nutritionist about his diet plan. You can probably add a banana to his diet daily if he does not have diabetes or maybe an orange or alternate between banana and orange.

Hope these tips help. If symptoms persist consult your cardiac specialist. Please let me know if there is any thing else and do keep me posted. Take care!