CHF question

Why does the oppresive muggy heat make it so hard to function?  I can be doing just fine as long as I am indoors.  Step outside in the FL mud air and just gasp for breath and start coughing.  Surfgirl, what do you do to help that?  (Yeah, stay inside, not a full option for me.)

[FLBrat]

Just thought you may know a trick or two.  Sometimes we have to pay for where we choose to live.  

[anacyde]

Many people with CHF struggle with the heat and particularly the humidity.  A big part of this is often medications, which already reduce blood pressure.  Being in the heat acts as a vasodilator and reduces pressures further, usually making people feel weakness, dizziness and just plain sluggish.

I know just living indoors all the time isn't an option for most people, so just take steps to keep as cool as you can. The cough, if it's always there, could be related to ACE-I meds if you're on them...if it persists I would ask your doctor.

[FLBrat]

Thanks ana, doctors are aware of the cough.  I get to visit with them every three months!  Yes, some of it is the ACE reaction, some of it is from past long term smoking.  Some of it is due to nasty heat.  Trouble is, being outdoors is where I best like to be.  Was really just checking if there were any tricks.

[often]

I am with you on this one, Brat.  MI is no better than FL for the humidity.  I was recently in the southwest on vaca and as hot as it was, in the 100's, I had no SOB and my energy levels were much better.  Today, I could hardly breathe whenever I went outside, which wasn't much.  And the wicked storms did nothing to alleviate the humidity.  Maybe there is something to living in the desert.  Or the canyons

[FLBrat]

Never choose to live where you vacation.  Well, I heard that somewhere but not sure I believe it.  I read about your trip.  I am green with envy.  So, Often, do you have a tip for dealing with the heat and humidity??