worried

[lancashire]

Hi my mum had to have blood tests last week to see if she has heart failure, docs phoned today she needs to go back next week for more blood tests. She has been told not drink any fresh juice before then. Im not sure why, anyone can help ? thanks x

[lancashire]

Thankyou for all replies. My mum has af and she has been short of breath recently x

[Smiley2000]

Hi there,

I agree that if the preliminary blood tests indicated that she had high potassium levels, then the Docs would prefer that she does not drink any fruit juice that can increase her potassium.

One of the blood tests that indicates heart failure:  BNP levels.  The Doctors can also check her Kidney function and Hormones, Thyroid.

What symptoms does she have that indicates heart failure?

[skydnsr]

There is a blood test called BNP that I think they use as a cost-effective screening measure.

[ed34]

I wonder what blood test can check for heart failure? I mean, anything below 30%EF is basically termed as heart failure and I can't see how a blood test is going to reveal this?

[skydnsr]

I'm guessing, but maybe her potassium was a little high.  That's the only thing I can think of, since fruit juice is usually a good source of potassium.  Maybe they want to redo the test and see if it was a fluke.  If it had been extremely high, I think they would have given her medication, rather than just redoing the test.