heart failure

[MSharpy]

I am new on here.

I have lots of the usual symptoms with HF and have now started to sweat a lot with minimal activity and at night. I also have a constant bloated stomach. Are these just more symptoms?

[10gingercats]

A bloated stomach with |Heart failure may indicate fluid around your heart and/or in your lungs.I am not a medic but i have had this. It is quite common but the problem can be relieved by medicatiuon. in my case I take Spirolactone and Furosimide.....a small dose of each daily on prescription and that keeps stomach and leg swelling at bay .

[MSharpy in reply to 10gingercats]

thanks for the info, will speak with my doctor 👍

[1mjd in reply to 10gingercats]

I had the same, but was lucky enough to have a specialist nurse from my local hospital in Taunton who sorted a short dose of ferusimide ,sorted

[Anon2023]

before I had my mitral valve replacements I found that I was sweating a lot. I’m not sure if it’s a symptom of heart failure although I now have that. I don’t want to alarm you but I would go and get checked by your gp to make sure that you don’t have an infection. Good luck.

[MSharpy in reply to Anon2023]

will do, thanks

[Jarid in reply to Anon2023]

Hello, I am new the site. Need valve replacement and would like to know how much pain there was for you after the operation.

[Anon2023 in reply to Jarid]

hi. It’s really not as bad as you imagine. If you are having open heart surgery then they will give you lots of pain relief in the 24 hours after your op while you are still in intensive care. You will be so medicated that you probably won’t remember much of it. After you go back on the ward they will offer you regular pain relief and that will keep your level of discomfort to a minimum. Make sure you ask for pain relief if you need it. There’s no need to be in pain if you don’t need to be. It’s uncomfortable more than anything but it is manageable. Before you have your drains or the pacing wires removed ask them for oramorphe as these procedures can be uncomfortable. I am a total wuss and if I can manage it, anyone can. I’m sure that you will be absolutely fine. Good luck.

[Jarid in reply to Anon2023]

Thank you for your reassurance. Think matters are more difficult because last year lost 2 dear friends, 2 aunts, 1 uncle, 1 cousin, my brother and my mum so feeling really low. I have no family near enough to come with me. Have been telling Doc for years something was wrong with my heart but no action was taken. I didn't push the situation because was caring for my mum 24/7. THANK YOU xx

[Anon2023 in reply to Jarid]

hi. You’ve obviously had a very difficult time and I really felt for you reading your reply. I lost my best friend (aged 51) to a brain tumour 3 months before my first surgery and it absolutely terrified me but the surgeon assured me that he wouldn’t do my surgery if he was at all worried. I think we all hear the term “open heart surgery” and it scares the hell out of us but these surgeons do it so often now that their level of expertise is amazing. There’s no getting away from the fact that it’s major surgery but it’s carried out so often now that the risks are lower than they’ve ever been. You will need support after the op with practical things as you can’t lift anything heavier than a half filled kettle so I don’t know if you have a partner or any friends who could stay with you for a few days. You’ll be able to walk and climb the stairs when you are discharged from hospital (the physios check) but things like washing your hair can be tricky because lifting your arms can be uncomfortable. You will also be very tired for a while. I really don’t mean to alarm by explaining the practicalities but I would have been totally stuck without my husbands help. Please do ask if you have any questions. I wish I’d known about this forum when I first had surgery as people are very supportive and knowledgeable and can give you excellent advice. There’s no such thing as a silly question. Best wishes. Xx

[Jarid in reply to Anon2023]

Thank you. No I have nobody to help me. The couple of family members who are left live too far away to support me. Two are older grandchildren and the other a niece. The rest have died (none with covid). I know a few people but not well enough to ask for support. I cared for my mum so only really went out with her for years. I am ok by myself but I am so scared. Was in hospital with my dad and saw how long people waited in pain for pain relief and it has really bothered me.

[Moon_maiden]

Hi

I’ve had HF show on a CPET in July and have had abdominal pain for over three years and four ops. The only thing that I’ve managed to control the pain is with the angina spray which I started last week.

I was just going to write a post asking for advice on this

[MSharpy in reply to Moon_maiden]

Never thought of trying my GTN spray 👍

[Moon_maiden in reply to MSharpy]

let me know how you get on, really interested if it helps 🤞

[MSharpy in reply to Moon_maiden]

👍

[Larneybuds]

Good morning. I would definitely take trip to your GP to get checked. Fluid build up is quite common with HF but it could be something else that needs attending to. I have had two valves repaired but have had lots of problems since and I think any symptoms or things that are worrying you, especially if you have a heart problem, should be checked out. I hope you get it sorted

[MSharpy in reply to Larneybuds]

👍

[Kristin1812 Heart Star]

As a rehab nurse told me, GTN spray simply opens up the blood vessels, and more blood flow helps all sorts of body issues (including angina) . Just in case anyone thinks of it as specific to angina.

[MSharpy in reply to Kristin1812]

good to know, thanks.

[uzininemm]

Good morning and welcome, can I just confirm a few things.

One you gave the impression you are not currently on a water pill (diuretic) like Spirolactone is this correct?

Two, you make no mention of diet/lifestyle or fluid intake, the reason I mention this is that all my medical specialists have stated medication is not the only answer but it is a combination of all the above things.

You have answered the exercise one however I do ask do you eat a good diet/take in only 1.5litres of liquid a day?

When you speak to the doctor ask as well if he can look to get you on the heart rehab programme. This should certainly help with exercise etc.

[MSharpy in reply to uzininemm]

hi, No not on any diuretics as they made my BP go too low so I was taken off them.

I cannot excessive due to needing a knee replacement, they won’t operate due to the risks.

[uzininemm in reply to MSharpy]

Sorry to hear that you are not able to take a diuretic as it show how important they can be.

I do hope you and your doctor find away forward and you are able to get a knee replacement.

[stevesully1961]

Hi, I suffered heart failure in September and have had pacemaker/defibrillator fitted. I spoke to my consultant about excessive sweating and they check me when they do my bloods, they told me they aren't overly worried, one of many side effects I'm afraid!!

[MSharpy in reply to stevesully1961]

cheers Steve, that’s reassuring to know 👍