congestive heart failure

[mkb_devildog]

My name is Mike. I have been in the military for almost 20 years now.  This past June I was in for surgery for ventral Hernia and while I was under that when everything started going down.  My EF % was 10-15%.  The doctor told me that I have CHF with a Left bundle blockage.  They told me that a virus was most likely the cause.  I never had any symptoms prior to June.  I was in the hospital for surgery in January 2013 for Lower Bowel Obstruction issues and came out of it just fine.  I am 41.  I do not drink except socially and even then I usually dont drink or smoke and was very active physically.  
      I know that burn pits in Iraq and Afghanistan have been a big topic for discussion.  I would like to know if its possible the exposure to burn pits can cause problems for CHF?


This discussion is related to Viral Cardiomyopathy.

[Smiley2000]

Hi there,

You are still very young and I am sorry to hear that your EF is so low and about the problems you have.

Some of the more experienced Members will come and give you better advise.

Your EF is very low.  Do you find it hard at all to do physical activity and exercises?  I can only imagine that you must be extremely fit to be in the military?

[caregiver222]

There is no evidence that exposure to a burn pit can contribute to congestive heart disease. Te VA does not recognize any connection.

[ed34]

Hi. I have no idea, but this may be of some interesting reading, and it might be worth giving them a call to see if anything has been found out.

https://www.federalregister.gov/articles/2013/02/04/2013-02264/initial-research-on-the-long-term-health-consequences-of-exposure-to-burn-pits-in-iraq-and