Father's symptoms

My 71 year old father has been experiencing several health difficulties over the last few months. He has had high blood pressure for the last 12 years or so, and is a little overweight 10 - 20 pounds, he doesn't smoke and was exercising regularily until about one month ago.

In February he went to the hospital complaining of chest pains. He thought he was having a heart attack. They found nothing wrong with him. In April he developed a bad cough which could not be diagnosed. My father thinks that it is/was a pneumonia. He still has this cough.

About three weeks ago, he began complaining of shortness of breath and extreme tiredness at the slightest exertion. His feet are swollen and he seems to fall asleep throughout the day. For the first time in 12 years his blood pressure is normal.

His doctor sent him to a cardiologist, the cardiologist sent him for tests one of which one was suppose to be an angeogram. For some reason he didn't get an angeogram. The cardiologist he went to see then went on holidays and the cardiologist's replacement told my dad that he may have suffered a heart attack. He suggested that my father not do any exercise and take baby aspirin until the cardiologist (my father originally saw) returns from holiday next week. The replacement cariologist changed the diuretic that my father takes.

So, what may be wrong with him and what might he do to improve his symptoms?

[CCF CARDIO MD - DLB]

Dear Mary

Without further testing, I cannot say for sure what is wrong with him. It sounds like he may have had a large heart attack and has heart failure. If this is the case, his doctors will be able to place him on medications that will help with at least some of his symptoms.

I hope this has been useful. I wish you the best of luck.