CHF

[nymima01]

Good Day Everyone! I write on some sites for my 91 yr old mother. She has had afib for over 25 yrs and I am a member of that group and it is very informative! She also has congestive heart failure now and I am most interested in joining a group that is focused on that condition. I don't see such a group on this site. Perhaps you can steer me in the right direction? She seems to be in distress some days and I would like to know how to help her more. She has a cardio/EP that she sees every 3 months, but she doesn't take any meds except 20 mgs of Lasix daily and I'm not sure this is enough. Aside from upping her Lasix, I would like to know if there is other medication that would help her breath better. TY.

[Hidden]

Hello there - sorry to hear that your mother's symptoms aren't under better control. I've had a quick look for you and it doesn't seem like there are any specific heart failure support charities on Health Unlocked, but we do have some great information on our website if you'd like to take a look: bhf.org.uk/heart-health/con...

It's unusual for someone with heart failure to just be on furosemide (Lasix), which is a diuretic, but there may well be a good reason for this. Most commonly drugs like beta blockers and ACE inhibitors are used to help reduce the workload of the heart, so it might be worth having a chat with her specialist about these drugs too.

We have a really comprehensive guide to heart failure, which you can download here: bhf.org.uk/publications/hea... or if you'd like us to post out a hard copy just give our helpline a call on 0300 330 3300.

Take care, Chris

[nymima01 in reply to Hidden]

My bad for neglecting to mention she is on Metoprolol 100 mgs 2x daily. She has been on this long before her official diagnosis of chf, and this is why it slipped my mind. She is also on Eliquis for the afib. Lowest dose as she doesn't want to increase to 5 mgs.

I have seen Entresto advertised on tv for help with chf, but I'm not sure my mother's chf falls under the catagory for the use of this drug. But there must be something out there to help with her breathing. Maybe oxygen of course, but not sure. TY - I will check out the link you provided!