I am a 51 year old female, diagnosed with nonischemic cardiomyopathy in late December 2011. I was put on a low salt diet, and a daily baby aspirin regimen plus 25mg Spirinolactone, 10 mg Lisinopril once a day, and 6.25 mg Carvedilol twice a day. Echocardiogram in April showed a slight improvement of EF from less than 20% in December, to 25-30%. I was advised to get a bi-v icd, which was done May 15. The device has been checked twice since release from hospital, everything is working extremely well, no complications. However I seem even more fatigued than since before the pacemaker. I am on a restricted schedule at work of 8 hours/day with breaks every 2 hours (I work in retail). I have continued mild exercise ( walking 2 miles 3 times a week, weights and band stretching) and continue to keep my daily sodium intake to less than 1500 mg, typically around 1300 mg.
My original cardiologist is relocating, and I will not see my new cardiologist. until end of July. Due to my questions regarding my fatigue the device clinic contacted the office of the new cardiologist, and I was then advised to increase the 10 mg Lisionopril from once a day to twice a day. Before the pacer implant my blood pressure was typically around 90/65. Last week my blood pressure in the device clinic was 124/76, which the nurse at the device clinic was pleased with. Since I will not see my cardiologist for a few more weeks I am wondering what the increase of Lisinopril will do for me, and what I need to watch for with sodium intake. I have been scheduled for lab work next week. Thank you. SMS