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Heart Disease (Expert Forum)
What can I do for my dad now that he has Heart Failure?
Answered by
Cleveland - OH
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What can I do for my dad now that he has Heart Failure?
by cutestuff2, Oct 02, 2003 12:00AM
My dad who is almost 80 was just diagnosed with an enlarged heart, and was hospitalized with the textbook symptoms of heart failure. He was discharged 3 days later, and given meds appropriate for his condition and he is slowly improving. He visits hypertension specialist next week, and has appointment for cardiologist followup, what questions should my mother ask the Drs? And how long does it take, ballpark figure of course, to acquire an enlarged heart? I am 44, should I be checked for it too? Thank you DR.
Doctor's Answer
by Cleveland Clinic, Oct 02, 2003 12:00AM
, Oct 02, 2003 12:00AM
cutestuff2,
Thanks for the post. It is very difficult to tell you exactly what the workup for your father should be without having alot of the primary data since there are alot of causes of heart failure.
Important things that should be evaluated is what the cause of his failure might be. For example he should have some evaluation to look at his coronary arteries. Truthfully you might not fina a specific cause. If he's been hypertensive for a long time, it might be due to that. Depending on the cause, the failure may have been developing for many years. The echocardiographic findings might help guide your physician to a specific cause.
Your father should be on at least 3 core medications: a beta-blocker, a diuretic and an ace inhibitor. Depending on the cause other medications may be added.
if ou have no symptoms, and no other family history, there isnt a clear cut indication for testing.
heart failue is an increasing problem as more and more people live longer and longer. patients seem to do better who are followed closesly by a heart failure specialist. we have an entire section of the department of cardiology dedicated to patients with heart failure at the cleveland clinic.
you might seek referral to a similar center.
good luck
Thanks for the post. It is very difficult to tell you exactly what the workup for your father should be without having alot of the primary data since there are alot of causes of heart failure.
Important things that should be evaluated is what the cause of his failure might be. For example he should have some evaluation to look at his coronary arteries. Truthfully you might not fina a specific cause. If he's been hypertensive for a long time, it might be due to that. Depending on the cause, the failure may have been developing for many years. The echocardiographic findings might help guide your physician to a specific cause.
Your father should be on at least 3 core medications: a beta-blocker, a diuretic and an ace inhibitor. Depending on the cause other medications may be added.
if ou have no symptoms, and no other family history, there isnt a clear cut indication for testing.
heart failue is an increasing problem as more and more people live longer and longer. patients seem to do better who are followed closesly by a heart failure specialist. we have an entire section of the department of cardiology dedicated to patients with heart failure at the cleveland clinic.
you might seek referral to a similar center.
good luck
