Trouble Breathing

  My father has Congestive Heart Failure.  My sister and I also think he has algeries.
  When he goes outside, or when its damp rainy weather, he gets very congested and can't breathe.  Is this normal for CHF or could it be allergies.
  He gets so weak, he can't get out to do anything.  Just stays in the house.

[CCF Cardio MD - MTR]

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Dear Debbie, thank you for your question.  Patients with congestive heart failure
(CHF) are more susceptible to other illnesses like allergies, bronchitis,
and pneumonia (all of which can exacerbate the shortness of breath patients
with CHF experience).  I can't tell from what you mention whether your father's
increased shortness of breath is caused by allergies or worsening CHF so it
is important that you have him evaluated by his physician for this problem.  
People who are healthy can tolerate allergies, bronchitis, pneumonia, etc. fairly
well because they have a large cardiac/pulmonary reserve to draw upon.  Someone
with CHF, who may be doing well at baseline, may decompensate quickly with a
minor problem because they have a limited cardiac reserve.  However, as I mentioned,
it's hard to ascertain what's causing the shortness of breath but I worry about
worsening CHF since your father's so fatigued now.   There are many medications
that help CHF like digoxin, ACE inhibitors, diuretics, and now a new
medication called carvedilol which helps when the other three medications fail
to control the symptoms of CHF.  Your father may benefit from these medications if
he's not on them already, but he certainly needs a reassessment of his condition.
Thank you for your question.
Information provided in the heart forum is for general purposes only.  Specific
diagnoses and therapies can only be provided by your physician.