60%ef yet im still retaining water

[spencerstafford]

im a 45 yrs old.ive had chf for 3 yrs. at first i was really sick with an ejection fraction of 20% ,now its at 60%
my question is that if im doing so much better why is it that if i forget to take my meds i can gain 9 lbs in a 24 hr period.
i know its fluid .i just dont how its possibile if my heart is working so much better
                                                                                              thanks...spencer

[gmachris518]

The fact that you can gain 9 lbs in 24hrs, could be your diet, or it could be a kidney problem.  People who have kidney failure can gain 5-9 lbs within 24 hours.  Perhaps you should have it checked out.

[Machaon]

Noting that your EF has seemingly improved from 20% to 60%, have you also noticed a subsequent improvement in your symptoms?

Do you have fewer breathing problems, have more energy and ability to exercise, fewer chest pains, less fatigue, fewer palpitations, fewer problems with a fast heart rate, can sleep lying down, etc.?

[kenkeith]

Apparently, the heart is able to pump effectivel and blood is not backing up into the lungs, but  your recent CHF could have resulted in direct damage to the lung tissue...an initial and rapid increase in pulmonary vascular pressure due to pulmonary vasoconstriction or pulmonary blood flow can lead to pulmonary microvascular injury, and may require more time to recover. Also,  edema fluid, when present for some time, is often complicated by hypostatic pneumonia is another possibility.

Stay with your meds, and it may take some additional time to heal.  Thanks for sharing, and if you have any followup questions you are welcome to post.  Take care.