Diuretics

[Ruby-Ruby]

Hi, has anyone been recommended to take a diuretic for mild/moderate left ventricular impairment but no symptoms of water retention such as breathlessness, swollen ankles? My husband (age 65) had an echocardiogram in February last year, ejection fraction 40%, also mild/moderate regurgitation. A few days ago, out of the blue he has a copy of the Consultant Cardiologist's letter to our GP, suggesting he should take Spironolactone or Dapaglifozin. He will be speaking to GP next week but before then we're trying to do some background research. He already takes Ramipril and Nebivolol. Thanks

[10gingercats]

Spironolactone is quite a strong diuretic but may have other uses.I am not a medic ,I was prescribed Spironolactone with Furosimide....both very small doses to stop fluid accumulation in lungs and around heart which it does very well.The Spiron. I take is only 13 and a half mg .I would ask for an explanation from your GP re. using Spironolactone for other disorders. Others may well come along and answer your other questions.

[Yumz199725 in reply to 10gingercats]

I wasn't aware it's a strong diuretic I was on 25mg for a few months seen to do the trick.

[Yumz199725]

Hi Ruby - Ruby

Yeah this happened to me when my valve went from mild to moderate to moderate to severe aortic regurgitation and I was in hospital at the time for something different won't get into that but I was on furisomode and amiloride then when out of hospital cardiologist changed to spirolactone even though didnt the water retention or maybe I did I don't know I was only on for about a year I think or maybe few months I'm. Not sure actually.

I'm on verapamil 40mg x2 now for VT.

Hope all goes well for your hubby on his new meds.

[Hidden]

Iam on spironolactone 25mg. It seems to help. But I think it helps other things as well. But it reduces the water retention around heart and lungs and help to maintain potassium. However you do need regular blood tests to ensure potassium levels don't go too high.

[Beardie100]

I am very similar. No probs taking those meds. They help me stay well controlled and allow me to try and get fitter.

[Ruby-Ruby]

Thanks for the replies so far. I think what im trying to say is, with mild heart failure, do you still need to take a diuretic if its not congestive and you have no symptoms of water retention? Hopefully the GP can explain more.

[Ewloe in reply to Ruby-Ruby]

after a heart attack I’ve got damage to the muscle and have some LVHF. I’ve been on eleperone since the heart attack. I was told by cardiologist that it’s a cardiac specific diruretic. It’s to help move fluid away from the heart to help it work more efficiently. It’s nothing to do with congestive heart failure ( for myself) or swollen ankles. Which I’ve never had. It’s all about helping the heart not work so hard. I’m extremely active swimming, gym, Pilates and walking

It does make you pee a bit more but I take it in the morning not at bedtime. There’s another site. Pumping Marvellous that may have some information. Good luck.

[Hidden in reply to Ruby-Ruby]

The reason I was put on spironolactone was that my condition, which is not heart failure but an inefficient right ventrical. So the birth fault was found using echo scan, ct scan and an mri. However the stress test on the bike found that I had a cardiac issues because the right ventrical which sends blood to the heart. Was not doing this efficiently therfore when doing the tress test my heart was working OK regarding the muscular pumping and electrical signals, but I suffer from cyanosis when I push myself with exercise. So the gas transfer between lungs and blood is not efficient. So to try and help boost this, the spironolactone is used to ensure that if there is any water build up, which can effect the lungs, then it is kept under control. Also with my congenital heart problem they start with basic heart failure medications, such as ace inhibitors and diuretics. That is the conservative approach. I suppose I am on these to try and slow down the possibility of heart failure. But I have just got to put my faith in the medical profession and try and do as much as I can to help. Which is take medication, keep active, eat healthy try and loose weight. Hard one weight loss. The analogy I use is your body is like large car. But you or me have a mini 850 engine in it. So we need to keep the 850 engine. But it is better if the engine is in Smaller body car. So you put the engine in a lotus 7. A very light car. I will be seeing my cardiologist soon so we will see what she says. The other thing spironolactone and ace inhibitors do is help lower the blood pressure. This helps the heart as well. Sorry a rumbled on a bit. But it helps to write this all down gets it off my chest.

[Tangalle]

Hello Ruby

The same happened to me. i had a consultant who was determined to get me on more meds plus increase the dose of beta blocker I was on, despite having a long history of low blood pressure anyway!!

To cut a long story short I reluctantly decided to try Spironolactone to see what happened. I am a regular medium to long distance walker but was experiencing some breathless climbing hills (at 73 I thought that I was entitled to !) but nothing that created any discomfort. I take half a tablet, 12.5mg only and have noticed that I no longer get the breathlessness going uphill anymore so it does seem to have done its job despite there being no oedema or any other symptoms associated with water retention.

I hope this helps. Best wishes

[Ruby-Ruby in reply to Tangalle]

Yes it does, thank you.

[Larneybuds]

Good morning....although spironolactone is a diuretic, I believe , though I am not medically trained, it is also given to keep blood pressure lower. II was prescribed this along with other medications initially so it may have been given to your husband as a precautionary measure as assistance until he goes back to the consultant or speaks to them. You could always give the nurses on BHF a call and ask for advice about it before the appointment. All the best x

[EU95PTM]

Yes, I take Spironolactone 12.5mg daily. I have mild HF and fortunately I’m currently asymptomatic. With such a small dose I don’t particularly notice any diuretic effect.

[Biglad1]

I had ejection fraction of 30-35% I already took bumetanide bisoprolol farxiga and apixaban for afib. They halfed my bumetanide and started me on eplerenone and entresto.

[Wingnutty]

I was prescribed a diuretic and after I went in to hospital for an unrelated emergency, they found that I was dangerously low in sodium and potassium. They don't do blood tests frequently enough to identify this, so I have come off them.

[Lezzers]

Hi, spirolactone is more a preventive medication, so it works at helping your heart to function better therefore reducing the risk of fluid retention. Diuretics like furosemide remove fluid, they do not prevent the build up. Dapagliflozin has been shown to also improve your heart function, improve symptoms & reduce hospitalisation & mortality.

[Motorman]

I have been on Spirolactone but am now off it after a few side effects, gynecomastia, total lack of libido, tired, confused etc., It does work well but for me the side effects were to much. I am now on Dapagliflozin and that is also working well and no side effects. Thats just me, we are all different but watch out if the shirts get a bit tight at the front!