congestive heart failure

[smileesmith]

my husband has a hacking cough- started in July of this year-- he has had this continue since then- he has this mostly in the early morning-- sometimes during the day-- seems to be happening more and more-- he has had congestive heart failure twice in the last year-- he also has had stints for his heart and renal stints placed this year-- he thinks this cough is not related-- just had a dr. appt and she says his lungs sound fine-- but he didn't tell her about this hacking cough he has-- should I call the dr. office - and how concerned should I be about this cough????
please email me-- if you are concerned -- Important

[Jack54]

Does your husband take ACE inhibitors? The hacking cough is a notorious adverse side effect. It usually happens at the start for people who cannot tolerate them, but I took them for almost 4 years before developing the cough, which also involved a constrictive like feeling in my throat. I stopped the ACEi and the cough and other symptom went away.

I have also read that there can be a non-productive cough with CHF. I don't know how common it is.

[anacyde]

I'll second what Jack54 said.  An ACE-I will produce a hacking cough in some people.  If your husband's lungs sounded good, that is an excellent sign.  Do mention the cough to the doctor.

[smileesmith]

HI Jack-- what is an ACE inhibitor??
and also what is CHF - he has a long list of prescriptions--
Thank God I'm healthy and do not take any meds---

thanks sue

[jim62]

Might also be acid reflux.  I didn't even know I had it, but nexium fixed my persistent cough.

[Jack54]

An ACEi is an angiotension converting enzyme. Here is a blurb:

"What are ACE inhibitors, and how do they work? (They decrease the production of angiotensin ll)

Angiotensin II is a very potent chemical that causes the muscles surrounding blood vessels to contract and thereby narrows the blood vessels. The narrowing of the vessels increases the pressure within the vessels and can cause high blood pressure (hypertension). Angiotensin II is formed from angiotensin I in the blood by the enzyme, angiotensin converting enzyme (ACE). ACE inhibitors are medications that slow (inhibit) the activity of the enzyme, which decreases the production of angiotensin II. As a result, the blood vessels enlarge or dilate, and the blood pressure is reduced. This lower blood pressure makes it easier for the heart to pump blood and can improve the function of a failing heart. In addition, the progression of kidney disease due to high blood pressure or diabetes is slowed."

I started taking them last night again after being off of them for a year (altace). Most people who have had a heart attack like myself, or have heart failure, again like myself need to be on ACEi's VERY badly. They can correct or prevent remodeling of the heart, I have read and believe. I also started SLOW ACTING calcium channel blockers for DHF.

Here are some brands of ACEi's:

ACE inhibitors include captopril (Capoten), enalapril (Vasotec), quinapril (Accupril), benazepril (Lotensin), ramipril (Altace), perindopril (Aceon), and lisinopril (Prinivil, Zestril).

CHF = Congestive Heart Failure, or Chronic Heart Failure. Two different meanings sometimes with the same outcome. Congestive heart failure occurs when one has pulmonary hypertension. PH causes fluid or moisture to leech through the pulmonary artery or vein due to the high pressure and low blood flow due to malfunctions within the heart. I have pulmonary venous hypertension due to Diastolic Heart Failure.

Chronic Heart Failure is a general term used to describe at least 3 types of Cardiomyopathies, and I believe the latest defined, and least understood type of heart failure, Diastolic Heart Failure, should be covered by the NYHA lingo. There are 4 classes or stages of failure (I-IV) that were devised by the New York Heart Association (NYHA). The 4 classes are based on really simple symptoms.

Heck, you can diagnose yourself as to what class of failure you are in. Trouble is a doctor may not believe you :)

[smileesmith]

Thank you thank you-- my husband does take lisinopril - along with several other meds
I appreciate the explanation--
thanks again--