Aa
Terrified
I am a 35 year old single mom. I had to go to the ER on Sat due to moderate edema in my legs/feet. I was told I have early stages of CHF. My BNP was almost 1200. I am terrified. What does this mean for me as a person? Can I live a normal life and have fun with my kids? I'm so scared and feel so alone. I have a cardiologist appt next Monday but feel like I'm going to have a nervous breakdown before then. Any replies would be appreciated.
Hi,
BNP levels correlate with CHF in about 80% cases, but not in every case. Raised BNP levels can happen due to high blood pressure, sodium retention, sleep apnea, heart failure, recent heart attack, lung infections, asthma attacks etc. A value less than 100 rules out heart failure, but you should get evaluated for the above mentioned causes for conclusion on the cause for such high levels of BNP.
Also, Do you have any symptoms other than edema? If yes further evaluation is needed to get to the cause leading to CHF. Diet, exercise and medications with regular follow up ensures a better prognosis of this condition. Best.
BNP levels correlate with CHF in about 80% cases, but not in every case. Raised BNP levels can happen due to high blood pressure, sodium retention, sleep apnea, heart failure, recent heart attack, lung infections, asthma attacks etc. A value less than 100 rules out heart failure, but you should get evaluated for the above mentioned causes for conclusion on the cause for such high levels of BNP.
Also, Do you have any symptoms other than edema? If yes further evaluation is needed to get to the cause leading to CHF. Diet, exercise and medications with regular follow up ensures a better prognosis of this condition. Best.
CHF isn't neccesarily a death sentence. There are several things you can do to feel better, such as medication, diet, and excercise.
I've have had CHF for over 4 years, with a EF of 15-20 %, and I'm still alive and doing well. Here is my recipe for getting almost back to normal. First of all take your mediciation religously, if you have any extra weight, lose it. If you smoke, quit, if you drink alcohol, quit. Then excercise as much as possible, using this rule of thumb.....get moving until you have a small problem catching your breath while trying talk, then rest for about 45 minutes, and excercise again. It's a long, drawn out process, but you will begin to feel better, and your strength should slowly come back.
Now days, I do all of my own shopping, housekeeping, etc, then when all of my chores are done, I go on a hike into my favorite fishing hole, and spend the rest of the day, and it's all because of my recipe for life.
I hope this helps.......
I've have had CHF for over 4 years, with a EF of 15-20 %, and I'm still alive and doing well. Here is my recipe for getting almost back to normal. First of all take your mediciation religously, if you have any extra weight, lose it. If you smoke, quit, if you drink alcohol, quit. Then excercise as much as possible, using this rule of thumb.....get moving until you have a small problem catching your breath while trying talk, then rest for about 45 minutes, and excercise again. It's a long, drawn out process, but you will begin to feel better, and your strength should slowly come back.
Now days, I do all of my own shopping, housekeeping, etc, then when all of my chores are done, I go on a hike into my favorite fishing hole, and spend the rest of the day, and it's all because of my recipe for life.
I hope this helps.......
Have an Answer?
You are reading content posted in the Congestive Heart Failure Community
Is a low-fat diet really that heart healthy after all? James D. Nicolantonio, PharmD, urges us to reconsider decades-long dietary guidelines.
Can depression and anxiety cause heart disease? Get the facts in this Missouri Medicine report.
Fish oil, folic acid, vitamin C. Find out if these supplements are heart-healthy or overhyped.
Learn what happens before, during and after a heart attack occurs.
What are the pros and cons of taking fish oil for heart health? Find out in this article from Missouri Medicine.
How to lower your heart attack risk.
