help

[rich5258]

my father had bypass surgery about 10 days ago. all is going well except for the fact that when he lays down he has a coughing attack everytime.  he is not coughing anything up but is really misable cause he cant sleep unless he is in a recliner. is this normal?

[kplaumps1]

Hello Ken
I am new to this group. May I ask how urgently one needs to be treated for congested heart failure with coughing, presumably fluid in lungs post CABG? Thank you

[kenkeith]

You should consult with your father's doctor without much delay.  There is no doubt in my mind that your father has pulmonary edema. Evidence is it happens when lying down as gravity causes fluids to fill the lung tissues.  Sitting up reduces that circumstance.  Also, a dry cough is another indication.

Those exact symptoms your father has put me in the hospital for several days 6 years ago with congested heart failure and mild pulmonary edema.  I was shocked to hear the diagnosis as I thought I had a lung problem...

What happens the heart doesn't pump into circulation effectively and the blood backs up into the lungs and fluids leak into the tissues. Thanks for sharing and stay informed  

[ed34]

Coughing problems are a common thing after bypass surgery, but can also be signs of something more serious developing. It could be irritation from the ventilator, I had a dry cough for about two to three weeks. It can be some of the medication, such as some brands of ace inhibitors. It could be an infection developing which is not uncommon when lung function is impaired from such surgery until recovery is more advanced. It would be wise to get a Doctor to listen to his chest and give some advice, like whether to have a chest x-ray. I really feel for him because it is painful when you cough, laugh or sneeze.