CHF Relapse

CHF Relapse

I had felt so good after getting a pacemaker/ICD that I started eating and drinking more, especially over Thanksgiving holidays, eating out several times, and apparently taking in too much salt and fluids.

I was still mostly not exercising due to ICD implant pain. Then on 1 Dec 11 I took a walk and noticed I was short of breath. I did the same on 2 Dec 11 and was again out of breath. I felt worse on 3 Dec so saw a local clinic. They sent me to local hospital. I was diagnosed with fluid in lungs. I had kept CHF at bay for almost two years and my increased eating and drinking over holidays caused a fluid build-up that sneaked up on me because I felt so good after getting an ICD. Those with a new pacemaker/ICD should not get lax with their habits if they also have a weak heart.

While in the hospital my heart doctor essentially convinced me to get a heart cath done to check out coronary arteries. Cath was done on 5 Dec 11 and no blockage was found and I went home that night. Good news: if any coronary arteries were blocked, I could have had a heart attack which could have damaged more heart tissue, resulting in heart not being able to pump enough blood to body for life.

It is amazing that the last two times I went to hospital they either saved my life or gave me good news on coronary arteries.

Those with a weak heart should exercise daily to see if they are short of breath due to fluids in lungs, or use a stethoscope on themselves to listen for fluid, or get someone to periodically check them for lung fluid.

I have now increased my daily monitoring of several body characteristics/functions to try to avoid another fluid episode in near future, and am using various ways to reduce body fluids.

Adrian R. Lawler, Ph.D. ,   (C) 2011 --