Can anything be done

[paulann]

My mother has CHF, anemia, and her her kidneys failing and her aorta is hardening 0.9 and she
is continuing to have swelling in her feet. I would like to know is there anything else can be done
beside the replacement of her valve?

[paulann]

she is in the end stage of her life says the doctor thanks for the replies

[anacyde]

Usually an ACE-inhibitor, beta blockers and a diuretic are prescribed dor CHF, which I assume she is probably already on.  Limiting salt intake and eating healthy, avoiding too much fluid.

Sorry to hear she's feeling so bad, I hope things improve soon.

[kenkeith]

Congested heart failure indicates the heart fails to meet the ystem's blood/oxygen demand.  As a consequence the excess blood from the lungs backs up and fluids leak into lung tissues causing the congestion.

What can be done medically?  A medicine regimen can be a diuretic to reduce fluids (lower cardiac ouput signals the kidneys to produce more fluids!), The heart is overworked, and to lighten the workload is to medically dilate the vessels (less resistance).  But the heart is pumping against a very narrow valve opening and dilating vessels may not be a successful option.  Has a valve replacement been ruled out?