Swollen ankles

[Foxy16]

Hi all, been following the forum since I was diagnosed with AF in Aug 17 but this is my first post !

I was admitted to hospital with heart failure (my lungs were full of fluid) & then diagnosed with AF . My left ventricle was working <35%

I had a cardioversion in Nov 17 and touch wood I’m still Iin NSR. I take apixiban, ramapril, furosemide & bisoprolol daily. Following successful cardioversion I asked if bisoprolol could be reduced but it was only recently agreed to reduction of 2.5mg, now take 7.5mg instead of 10mg.

Although I feel so much better ( after cardioversion) and been told my left ventricle is now working at 55%, I still suffer from lethargy & shortness of breath and some days just feel generally under the weather - is this normal?

I work full time, albeit office based & some days it’s a struggle.

Yesterday I was having hot flushes, my feet/ankles swelled up & I just felt generally unwell. Early hours I was coughing a lot (dry cough) & feel very tired today & ankles still swollen. I have checked my heart rate on Kardia & it’s normal.

Do others experience days like this and is it an expected symptom of the condition?

Sorry for long post 😊

[BobD Volunteer]

Unless as a result of drugs (for example calcium channel blockers make my ankles swell) this can be a sign of heart failure so please see you doctor soonest if it persists.

[Foxy16 in reply to BobD]

Thanks BobD, I will if it persists. Just thought as not in AF wouldn’t feel “unwell”

[cassie46]

Hi Foxy - Sorry to hear of your problems. I have permanent AF and HF and as Bob says it is more likely to do with heart failure that your ankles are swollen. I see you are on Furosemide have you tried taking a extra tablet for a couple of days to see if this will reduce the swelling. I do not get swelling very often (when I was first diagnosed with HF I had 2 stone of fluid and was in hospital for 12 days) but I have Furosemide tablets to take when required.

I think there is also a virus going around at the moment, last week I felt unwell with a cough and chest hurting and generally feeling rubbish but I am better now. I see also that you take Ramipril this can cause a dry cough, it does for me, I have tried alternatives but have gone back to Ramipril.

Regarding the Bisprolol (since 2014) , this can cause tiredness and shortness of breath. I used to be on this until 6 weeks ago because it was making me very breathless, I have now changed to Nebivolol and seems to be working much better for me. I only used to take 5mg of Bisoprolol - my dose was upped to 7.5mg on a couple of times but it was too much for me gave me brain fog and could not function properly. If your symptoms do not improve best to see your GP.

Cassie

[Foxy16 in reply to cassie46]

Thanks for reply, I did take extra furosimide yesterday & they do seem less swollen today, but only just up!

I thought the shortness of breath might be the bisoprolol. Hopefully It’s nothing serious & will feel better in a couple of days.

[Mazza23]

I was on same meds as you also have heart failure but ramipril gave me an awful cough also have swollen ankles now and again ,I take extra frusemide

[Foxy16 in reply to Mazza23]

Thanks for reply