Idiopathic Cardiomyopathy Tachy-Brady Syndrome

Hello:

Amout 12 years ago my mother was diagnosed with diagnosed with Tachy-Brady, and an idiopathic cardiomyopathy.  Amout 10 years ago my mother passed out while on a plane and had a pacemaker implanted shortly thereafter.
    
My mother is now 70 years of age, and is taking cumiden, premproto, vasotec, digoxin, aldactone, k-tabs (for a potasium deficiency) asiphex and furosemide (80 mg).

About a week ago she complaned of intense gastric distress, vomiting, and shortness of breath.  We also later noticed swelling in her feet.  She was then diagnosed with CHF after having a chest x-ray.  

After the diagnosis of CHF, she was just taken off cardizem CD and changed to coreg and given diauretics.

Although her doctors seem quite compitent, she is having difficulty getting a clear understanding of her current condition/prognosis.

My questions are:

What is the benefit of the switch to coreg?  At this point, I only know that her cardiologist felt that is was the "drug of choice" for her condition.

What else can be done to try to restore her stamina/overall health? (she was preciously very active, as anone caring for a grandchild can attest to.)

Is there any other treatment option we should consider?

Thanks very much for your help and this wonderful service.

Ian

[CCF CARDIO MD JMF]

What is the benefit of the switch to coreg?
Coreg is a better agent to control heart rate and also has some beneficial effects on the heart muscle.  The cardiazem CD may have been suppressing her heart rate and heart muscle too much.  
Coreg or carvedilol is an excellent choice and is the drug of choice in stabilized CHF.  

     What else can be done to try to restore her stamina/overall health? (she was preciously very active, as anone   caring for a grandchild can attest to.)Once she returns to her normal state with less fluid accumulated, she will feel better.  It is important for her to keep a low sodium diet and exercise with supervision to maintain her activity.  

     Is there any other treatment option we should consider?Your physician has her on all the correct drugs.  It may take some time to get to the exact right dosages.