can heart failure recur

Posted By Amelia on May 18, 1999 at 15:02:53
I have had cardiomyopathy for about 30 yrs,doing that time,several caths,one had cardiac arrest,mild congestive heart failure in the 70's,records shows heart dilation several years ago,have arrhythmia doing all this time.Have been on many different meds.(enderal, lopressor,procanmine,verapamil,etc.)coronarys have been clear up to 1993 and a cath showed 25% I think one of the smaller arteries around the back of the heart...I have been doing well,complaining of being tired,short of breath, and pain or discomfort of the chest. Lasix given off and on,Nitro as needed.Now l complained of being dizzy in Dec. and more short of breath,holter monoter had no great changes since 93,( EKG is always showing old MI 1st degree AV heart block,Left axis diviation and stress test shows ischemic)so in Jan, I got worse and went to another heart group and after a echo-stress test they said my heart has gotten weaker EFof 25-30 and enlarged and l had heart failure and should have a cath as there is a part of the heart that is blocked ("doesn't move")I was given zestril 5mg.lassix 40mg.changed to 20 and amiodarone 200mg. and aspirin .I felt better as far as the breathing goes then came to Wash and consulted a heart failure specialist with my records and he agreed and added lanoxin,after the cath (3mos.after being on meds)he was surprised and said there was no blockage,no heart failure,all l had was cardiomyopathy and took me off all meds except amiodarone and baby aspirin.In hospital my hct.was 30 and hemog 10.2 and wants to do a work up as not to overlook anything,but l real concern is being off the meds, will l go into CHF again as l cant understand the EF being 25 and now 50. He said the echo-stress was misleading or I had a remarkable response to therapy.Would appreciate any info you can give me....Iam 66 yr young female ,I also have severe disc compression and degenerative joint disease and I try to keep acitve,with a large family,thanks










Follow Ups:


Re: can heart failure recur CCF CARDIO MD - MTR 5/18/1999
(0)