Congestive heart failure can cause a cough, but this is unlikely to be the explanation if he is physically active and has no symptoms of fatigue or shortness of breath on physical exertion. Certain types of asthma can manifest only as a cough and this might be worth looking into. Acid reflux, causing the heartburn, could also lead to a cough, and treatment with an antiacid medication may help. The best starting point would probably be a visit to his general doctor.
congestive heart failure is a loss of pumping action of the heart (caused by several reasons)...that often leads up to a buildup of fluid on the lungs (pulmonary edema)....this is what causes the coughing.
I have cough varient asthma. Usually the only symptom of the asthma is a cough, but my peak flow rates decline greatly the more I cough. Only when things get extremely severe do I ever wheeze.
Dee
I was reciently diagnosed with Hiatal Hernia and
GERD (reflux disease) cough is also a part of this...
you mentioned the burning in his stomach , sounds
like it might be the same thing ....I had a cough
and since they have been treating me with Zantac
2 times a day the cough and burning has gone
away....I went to a gastro doc .....had the burning
for a long time , never knew whay it was ...
They do an endoscopy to see what the esophagus
looks like ......this would be something to check out ...
take care....Wendie
My grandmother soon to be 80 very active still works everyday, has also been having this cough for maybe a year now. She has had all kinds of tests except heart tests and her doctors just say they dont know what causes it. One doc says allergies but the med dont help. The only thing that seems to help is a humidifier. Also it seems to act up when she eats certain foods, ice cream for one. She said her throat tickles and that makes her cough. Anyhow what exactly is congestive heart failure and what can or do they do for it? Thanks in advance
Alexandra,
Your aunt is right. I had a cough for about 12 months and I went to the dr. a few times and they said it was sinus drainage. I also had a wheeze that would start every time I laid down- a kind of rustling sound in my throat that would make me cough. A terrible general weakness accompany it. Well it got so bad that the last time I went to the dr. she did an ekg and chest x-ray. The ekg was abnormal and the x-ray showed fluid inside my lungs. I was suffering fron congestive heart failure caused by a large tumor growing in my heart. I had that awful cough and wheeze for at least 18 months before I was diagnosed. I'm only 36 and never had problems with my heart before that.... or sinus and allergy problems either.
Terry
an eco-cardiogram performed by a cardiologist would tell the tale in about 10 minutes. tell him to go have one done and set your mind at ease.