CHF - Life Changing Episode

It all began with a terrible cold at the beginning of last November or the end of October. It lingered, and when I thought I was getting better I noticed edema in my ankles and legs along with shortness of breath with extreme fatigue.

Diagnosed with congestive heart failure

I made an appointment to see my PCP and she got a referral for me to see a cardiologist. The cardiologist thought my virus did not go away but settled in my heart being that there is no cardio history in my family. I had an EF of 20-25%, severe mitral valve regurgitation, and a few other things, but no thickening of my heart which makes me happy!

How long will I be on medication?

I am now on furosemide (only 40 mg a day), a beta blocker, lisinopril, and spironolactone. I have no idea how long I will be on these meds. My cardio team is great, but I am scared to ask that one question. Like everyone else my sodium intake is practically nil and only 1.5 liters of fluid a day. In this heat that is a hard limit to keep! This has been a challenge!

I initially lost like 60 pounds of water weight. I weigh myself every day and am maintaining within a pound or two of my true weight. My blood pressure is quite low, but that is what my cardiologist wants. My heart needs to heal.

Thanks for being here! I had felt quite alone in this journey and I now think there is light at the end of this tunnel.

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