How do we define heart failure? Am I correct to say that it does not refer to an absolute state but more to the degree of inefficiency of the heart in performing its function? Is it true that when a person has heart failure, it doesn't mean that his/her heart is going to stop beating soon, and that death is imminent?
A cousin of mine has had chronic atrial fibrillation since 3 months ago.
All who suffer from heart disease have a statistically higher risk of a heart failure than does the general population who do not have heart problems. This is true too as we go into higher age groups, the older one is the more likely they will experience a physical failure of some type or another.
I suffer from AFib myself and know I am at higher risk for additional heart problems, and for stroke even though I take an anticoagulant (Warfarin).
I believe it could be a FATAL mistake if you stopped taking the warfarin. Mechanical valves will clot without warfarin and this could cause a heart attack, stroke or heart failure and could cause you to have to have another open heart surgery. PLEASE ,PLEASE talk to your doctor about any changes in the warfarin.
You need to see your doctor soon. Check for swelling in legs and abdomen. Right side heart failure results in swelling, water retention in the legs and abdomen. Left side heart failure results in water in the lungs. Your main right artery may be plugged. Doctor can put a stent in the artery, which is considered a procedure and not open heart surgery. If this is the case, you will feel a whole lot better.
Take care and see your doctor.
I am a 43yo f, normal weight and BMI. I have a strong hx of heart disease in both parents (stenting, Afib and MI, strong sib hx of hypertension too). Was dx with post partum cardiomyopathy, then PE in Dec 2005/Jan 2006. I have HTN is well controlled. Asthma, an unconfirmed dx of inclusion body myositis or polymyositis (dx at the same time during hospitalizations), I was on steroid treatment, so did not do the muscle biopsy. All dx were backed up by clinical picture and bloodwork.
There are 3 serious medical conditions (right-side heart failure, uncontrolled bleeding, and clots (pulmonary embolism and thrombosis) that requires consideration when prescribing medication. Anticoagulants are effective in preventing pulmonary embolism and deep vein thrombosis, but there is a risk for bleeding.
More than 80 percent of patients with massive PE die within the first two hours after onset, mainly from right-sided heart failure.
My husband has been diagnosed with non-ischemic cardiomyopathy, congestive heart failure, high blood pressure, kidney failure, and his arotic valve doesn't close properly, and he had a defibulator put in about three months ago. He has been on hemodialysis for 9 years. He has just finished 6 weeks of IV antibiotics for an infection that attached to his arotic valve and also in the lining of his heart. Dr.
I am trying to get some answers regarding the treatment of an elderly male in the UK. He has been diagnosed with heart failure and has a leaky valve and some irregular heart rythums. At the moment he still gets breathless after walking up a few stairs and I'm not happy with this situation. He also has a persistent cough which may be linked to his medication. He does have some water retention in lower legs.
I changed my mind and we opted for open heart surgery and had his heart shaved. He has cardiomyopathy and we were told up front that both proceedures carridy risks of electric disturbince was possibe so they implanted a pace make during the surgery. They take ALL insurance. We were from TN and went to MN.
As far as I understand, statins have nothing to do with heart failure. If your friend is taking them could be because he has suffered a heart attack and has high levels of cholesterol.
The risk will be related to the problems that he has (heart attack, cardiovascular disease...) and what levels of cholesterol he has.
An interesting question is WHY does he want to stop them?
A drastic change in diet can alter INR also, but in my own personal experience, it has usually been other meds that caused me to need to change my warfarin dosage and not my diet. An INR that is consistently out of range is dangerous. Don't worry about maintaining the same dose of warfarin. Worry about maintaining an INR that is consistently within range. Whatever dose of warfarin you have to take to stay in range is okay.
Afib is a very dangerous condition, it can and often leads to a stroke, so often an ablation is used to get the heart back beating correctly, as Ed and claytex mentioned. Amiodarone is a drug that is extremely effective in getting the heart to beat regularly, but as claytex mentioned, it has side effects. However, danger of a stroke trumps the side effects of the drug. I went into Afib after bypass surgery and was administered Amiodarone, and it stopped the Afib within twenty-four hours.
In three months on Warfarin, I thinned over the top and front of my hair (I am a female aged 70) and also my nails went chalky, plus I couldn't sleep well and felt very off colour. The blood tests which were weekly due to an unstable INR became an ordeal when it took two or three attempts. I took Warfarin (for AFib) for about three and a half months and then refused to take it any longer, saying that I would take my chances on aspirin only.
Sometimes aspirin is used in place of the Plavix, and the patient will be on aspirin and warfarin. That type of combo regimen is used when the doctor doesn't think that one drug alone is enough to do the job, and one drug obviously wasn't enough in your case. It seems that your Plavix and warfarin regimen is working, so I'll join you in giving thanks for that.
After spending 8 days in the hospital getting my heart back into sinus rhythm (3 cardioversions + Tikosyn) I am back to Afib (off the Tikosyn) and have a 'normal' heart rate of 100 now. I presently take Lisinopril, Digoxin, Warfarin, and Carvedilol. Is 'my present condition' truly something that should not cause concern to me. Isn't being in constant AFib causing my chances of a stroke to rise considerably???
Well it seems likely the patient has coronary artery disease by the symptoms you describe. Therefore the Digoxin is not necessary is it? it's for treating atrial flutter/fibrillation. Furosemide is for heart failure/edema, Warfarin is an anticoagulant, Lovastatin is a cholesterol lowering medication (statin group), Captopril ace inhibitor to treat hypertension. KCL20 a potassium supplement?
So the patients cholesterol lipids are being lowered by using the statin drug.
The first time, the doctor said she was in kidney failure. They took her off all of her blood thinner, Warfarin, and stated he would not give it to her for fear of her falling and causing internal bleeding. He also took her off of her lasix, because this contributed to kidney failure. He would only release her to a nursing home and would not write an order to resume the blood thinner or the lasix.
furthermore it can lead to right heart failure which is obviously accompanied with several complications and more pain to your mum.
JUST GO FOR IT ,the necessary tablets like diruetics, warfarin digitalis, etc......... i bet your mum already taking it , these is no other miraculous tablet which can cure what she has apart from an open heart surgery. yes open heart surgery is risky , you never know what might happen , but its a risk you have to take.
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