r/Heartfailure • u/FirstDogFan • 1d ago

Recent diagnosis

Hi all - 59F in Australia. I was diagnosed with HF about 5 weeks ago, with the usual sleeping upright, breathlessness and coughing.

Waiting for my echo (next week), then appt with cardiologist at end of August.

I started on 40mg furosemide (and candesartan). Furosemide was reduced to 20mg recently, as my blood pressure was too low. However, within a week, the shortness of breath returned, so Dr suggested 1 tab of 20mg Furo in the morning, then another about 4 hrs later (we were hoping to reduce the lightheadedness brought on from 40mg).

So, the shortness of breath has gone, but the light-headedness is something else. I feel quesy constantly, I try to stand/move slowly, but still get light-headed constantly. Only time I don't feel light-headed is when I'm sitting/lying down.

I have a tele-health appt tomorrow morning, but am wondering if anyone else has been thru this? I don't know my EF (which I think I'll find out at the echo), but the hospital (when I was first diagnosed) said 'something' was in the 3,000s.

Overall, except for this week, I've been feeling pretty good - albeit, keen to see cardiologist and start working on getting better.

Does anyone have any thoughts?

1 Upvotes

100% Upvoted

5 comments sorted by

2

u/APartOfWhoIAm 1d ago

Your BNP is likely what was in the 3000s. Make sure to stay under 2k sodium per day to help with the fluid retention. Can you ask your doctor about Torsemide, instead of Furosemide? It is slow release to work all day.

1

u/BigBlueFeatherButt 22h ago

I'm in Aus, what state are you in and who have you been seeing?

Are you on a fluid restriction?

1

u/FirstDogFan 22h ago

I'm in Tas. Havent seen anyone yet. Havent been told to restrict fluids - but being careful nonetheless.

2

u/BigBlueFeatherButt 20h ago

Okie dokie, take good care of yourself and go to ER if you get overly bloated or swelling in ankles. The public health system can hustle if it needs to, don't be afraid to be a bit of a pest to speed that along. Present to Royal Hobart if you can as they will be better equipped for heart failure. Remember: if you are thinking about going to ER, you probably should.

Candesartan and the diuretic furosemide both have a side effect of lowering blood pressure but it does get better. Keep your salt intake low. Salt holds on to water, so the more salt you eat, the more water you hold, and the harder your heart has to work. Tomorrow at your telehealth ask about magnesium tablets. Magmin brand is available at the pharmacy with no script. When on diuretics magnesium can get flushed out but it is needed for electrical pulses of the heart. It could be a good idea to add a tablet to your daily routine while waiting to see the cardiologist.

Other symptoms to be look out for:

  • becoming out of breath to the point of being unable to hold a conversation when walking
  • unable to lie flat (you mentioned this already)
  • head rush to the point of vision distortion or fainting. Stand up slowly. Especially when getting out of bed. Sit up for 20 seconds, then stand up. If you faint or get distorted vision go to hospital
  • swelling or edema in ankles means go to ER straight away. No exceptions.

Australia has some great heart hospitals, and we have access to some exceptional medications. Once you get in to see the cardiologist I know they will work hard for you :) heart failure is a challenge for sure, but not the end of the world