CHF and pulmonary edema prevention and care at home

[fasihuddin]

My mohter was treated for pulomonary edema and CHF. The doctor told me that she is into Congestive Heart Failure  when we got her admitted.
Is heart failure permanent??? Can a patient recover completely from it??
Can we do a CPR for a patient with heart failure, before we reach hospital??

[gmachris518]

CHF is very treatable, but it takes a doctor who knows what they are doing in order for them to help.

I've had CHF for about 3 years, caused by a super virus.  Twice I've found myself unable to breathe and had to be taken to the ER, where I received breathing treatments, along with several tests, pain management, diruectics, and 4 baby aspirin.

I take Coreg, Diltiaziem, lasix, and a host of other medications that address the CHF, but I still have it, and the doctor says it's chronic.

I agree with Neil, that Nitro is a very important med to have around if you have heart problems.  It has saved my life more than once.  

Everyone is different, but I have a tendency to go into heart attack when I've tried to do too much, and the Nitro is my saving grace.  I still take the ambulance to the ER, but the Nitro, I believe, buys me the time I need to get there.

In any event, in answer to your question, my cardiologist tells me that the only cure is a heart transplant, but it can be nicely controlled with medication, and diet.

[kay2486]

heart failure is when the heart is not pumping efficiently, it can be treated, what stage is she? people who have it treated can live normal lives

[neil_a]

I'm sure you are very worried.

Let me try to help.............a bit.

First of all - I have experienced Pulmonary Edema on 2 serious occasions in '08.  Both - life threatening..........the second - so life threatening that I experienced Respiratory Failure at my local hospital and had to be airlifted to the central hospital here in Maine.  I was put in a coma and was not expected to live.  I am a 58 y.o. male with an Ejection Fraction of 10-15% since '03.  Click on my name and read my profile.

It just wasn't my time.  

I've come away with one special experience.  And I learned this on my own.  Nitroglycerin - for most - is used for Angina - as most people hear about.  But it is a HUGE therapy for people with Congestive Heart Failure [CHF] also more described today as Heart Failure [HF]

I'm telling you...................Nitro has saved my life more than once when Pulmonary Edema has reared its' ugly head.  When I call the ambulance - I follow the directions and take my Nitro - one - spread 5 minutes apart for a total of 3.

This may not be appropriate for others - so ask your Doctor.

But you asked: " Can we do a CPR for a patient with heart failure, before we reach hospital?? "

Here is what to be careful of.  I asked my Doctor could I have some oxygen in my house - for when I get Heart Failure again?

His answer was: "We don't want you to do that"  We want you to be treated by professionals - and not compound the problem - by adding something in.......when.........for example.....and I have experienced this:

When you arrive at a hospital or emergency room in the middle of a sudden flare-up of heart failure, your doctor will first try to stabiize your condition.  The doctor will immediately prescribe drugs such as diuretics, nitrates, and/or morphine to help you breathe more easily and to control your pain or anxiety.  Your doctor may also order an oxygen mask.

See: Heart Failure - Treatment Overview

http://www.webmd.com/heart-disease/heart-failure/tc/heart-failure-treatment-overview

You asked: "Is heart failure permanent???"

From the link above - you will see things like:

"Sometimes heart failure can be fixed if another problem can be corrected, such as by replacing a heart valve or treating hyperthyroidism.

Heart failure caused by a heart attack may be treated with coronary artery bypass surgery or angioplasty, medicine, and cardiac rehabilitation."

******************

Here is the link above and it's long - so here is a shorter way to get there:
http://www.webmd.com/heart-disease/heart-failure/tc/heart-failure-treatment-overview
equals
http://tinyurl.com/33wvfhb

Please tell us if they know what is causing her CHF?

What medications is she on?

Is she okay today or still in the hospital?

Kind regards,

Neil

[LivingInHope]

Unless your mother's heart stops beating, you do not want to do CPR on her.  My grandma had CHF and she lived for years with it.   I don't know if you can completely recover from it, but my grandma was living proof that a doctor treated, medicated person could continue to live a number of years with that diagnosis.  She had a pacemaker for skipped beats prior to have triple by-pass heart surgery.   She lived through a gallbladder surgery, an attempt to save her leg & a complication surgery & then an amputation for her peripheral vascular disease which she also suffered from.  She died at age 83, almost 84.