congestive heart failure

[acoville]

After you have congestive heart failure , do you have to be on oxigen the rest of your life?  Alice

[CCF-M.D.-MJM]

Hi Alice,

Congestive heart failure is a spectrum of illness.  Heart failure is usually graded on a "New York Heart Associastion" class with class one being no symptoms and class 4 patients cannot carry out activities of daily living.  If heart failure is your only comorbidity (no pre-existing lung disease), it would be unusually except in extreme cases to require long term oxygen.  This is usually managed with oral medications.

If you have a new diagnosis or have heart failure and do not have a cardiologist, I would recommend that you see one.  We are often very helpful at the micromanagment of heart failure medicines.

I hope this helps.

[Bill L.]

I have recovered from mitral valve repair surgery in Jan. and from pneumonia in March and have had good results in recent exams by internist and cardologist...injection fraction improved, echocardiogram OK.  Have been feeling fine and done traveling.  But this week I have noticed tightness in chest, tiredness, shortness of breath after exertion, light headedness when bending over or walking too fast, symptoms I had some months earlier.  Medications: aspirin 325 mg, lipitor 40mg, cozaar 25mg, coreg 6.25mg.

Anything to indicate possible congestive heart failure?
Bill L.

[shilpi]

Dear Friends,

I am 26 years old girl.

For many months I am observing that my BP IS 110/59 & The Pulse rate is always very high upto 96.
Please give the solution & reason for high pulse rate.

Thanks,

Shilpi.