Treatment for coughs,colds and sinusitis coupled with heart failure

[theminiaturist]

Could anyone tell me if there is some sort of protocol in treating patients with left ventricular dysotolic heart failure who develop a cough, cold and sinusititis? Should something be prescribed to help with the coughing so that it does not put extra pressure on the heart even if the cause of infection could be viral and not bacterial?

[Lezzers]

Not necessarily, you'll only be prescribed antibiotics if you have an infection. My husband has HF & the last time he was bad with a cold and hacking cough an out of hrs Dr gave him a prescription for antibiotics but said to cash in the prescription only if the cough got worse, which it didn't. The pharmacist gave him some cough medicine which helped. Do you have a HF nurse you could ask?

[bee2]

I was given Sterimar nasal spray for sinuses as can no longer take anything. It's only salt water but it does help unless infection sets in then its antibiotics.

[Sunnie2day]

Commiserations from a fellow sufferer - I get sinusitis at the drop of a hat and the drip usually causes me a hard cough that makes me wonder what stress those coughing bouts are putting on my heart.

What you can take to alleviate symptoms depends on what meds you're on and at what dosage - book a ten minute consult with your GP or someone on your cardiac team as those professionals are the only people who can accurately prescribe or advise you as to what to take. We're all different even if the names of our conditions are the same and only-only-only your medical team should be advising regarding even over-the-counter meds.

[theminiaturist in reply to Sunnie2day]

Thank you for your reply.

[Sarahd56]

Is the lvsd a recent diagnosis? I've had this for 9 weeks and did have a terrible runny nose, then a blocked nose for around 7 weeks. Also a cough. Both have resolved now. I did not have infection though I was at the end of my tether with it. Ramipril.can cause a cough. Also I read the contraindications of the meds I've been put on and Atorvastatin can cause inflammation of the nasal passages, which could be causing the sinus problem. I've stuck with it and all the irritating things have stopped. I thought this was the best way for me to deal.with it as didnt want all the changing of meds and the problems that can cause. I also bought a wee nasal vicks thing to breathe in which cleared nose and anti histamine tablets which I consulted my pharmacist about. Read all the patient info that comes with your meds in case it's any of those causing it.Hope this helps x

[theminiaturist in reply to Sarahd56]

No the heart failure is not a recent thing, it was found two years ago now. The GP thinks that it is a virus that I have picked up;I am prone to bouts of tonsillitis, the last episode was only four months ago. I am just concerned about the effect that all this is having on my heart. Also if the heart failure is getting worse, does that not mean that there could be a build up of fluid on the lungs? Thank you for your reply.

[Sarahd56 in reply to theminiaturist]

Ok. Sorry I cant help .I'm new to all the heart stuff. Hope you feel better soon. It's bad enough having heart problems never mind cold ect. X

[Prada47 in reply to theminiaturist]

Hello

Just a quick question does the cough get worse if you lie down ? The reason I ask is my Heart Nurse had a half empty bottle of water and she said this is what happens when you lie down if you have fluid build up.

With that she just moved the bottle from an upright to a 45o Tilt angle and of course the fluid equalled out and some went to the top of the bottle that's what causes you to cough she said !!! Made sense to me.

regards

[45sue]

Sadly, a lot of over the counter remedies are contraindicated so agree with advice already given here.

[MichaelJH Heart Star in reply to 45sue]

Yes, the main advertised cold and flu remedies (particularly those that "dry up") tend to push up blood pressure which is not good for most of us. Advice I have had is paracetamol, throat lozenges (sugar free for me) and plenty to drink. Might try making s chicken soup!

[17Nevil]

My gp prescribed a nasal spray for my sinus problems . It is called Nasonex .

Active ingredient Mometasone Furoate .

It has worked wonders for me . You should be very careful taking otc meds as they could interfere with any meds you are taking

[theminiaturist in reply to 17Nevil]

Thank for your reply.