elderly heart failure

[mardi56]

Is it possible just to have right sided heart failure and never goes into the left side?  I am confused.  My relative who is going on 90 has swollen legs feet and ankles, one side more than the other.  He has never been short of breath and lungs are clear.  I read that right sided shows symptons such as I described.  Does this mean the type he has is just the beginning or not as dangerous to have? The diuretics he is one just doesnt do the trick.  It gets rid of a little of the fluid but not much.  What does all this mean  if the diuretics dont get it all out of him?  What is next?

[grendslori]

Another thing that you must also take into consideration is that inside the veins are 'flaps' that help to keep the blood moving along back up to the heart. If those 'flaps' are weakened for any reason, the blood will pool in the legs and feet. You will end up with edema as well.

[Encephalomalcia]

Right side heart failure is not as serious as left side heart failure.  Left side heart failure signs are fluid in the lungs and abdomen.  How much water weight is he putting on a day?  Is it a pound?  A pound is too much for a day.  Most people with heart failure have to go to the hospital every now and then to get an IV of Lasix to get the water off.  The question is currently how are his kidneys functioning?  If his kidneys are not functioning appropriately, the fluid will not all come off.  Usually, when a person gets up into their 90's, the kidneys are a little weak.  Even a 30 year old's kidneys do not function like an 18 year olds. That is great that he has never been short of breath and that his lungs are clear!