My Grandma Has Congestive Heart Failure?

About a few weeks ago my Grandma found out that she has Congestive Heart failure. The doctor gave her some medication and told her that it was nothing serious. I believe that nothing bad will happen to her, but my mom is extreamly worried about her, she thinks something bad is gonna happen to my grandma. My grandma takes her medication. Her blood pressure is good, but her ankles swell up a bit from time to time. Is this anything serious that my mom has to panic about? I'm trying to tell her that everything is gonna be fine but she doesn't believe me. What can I tell my mom to convince her that my grandma will be alright? This all started when my mom's sister told her that someone she knew had congestive heart failure and died because he never took his meds. But I know that my grandma will be ok. The doctor even said she would still live for a very long time. Any kind of input would be greatly appreciated. Thanks.

To say that Congestive Heart Failure is nothing serious is a lie. With proper maintenance you can live for a long time, but it is very important to to take medication as prescribed and have regular follow ups to see that medications do not need to be adjusted.
In the elderly, swelling in the ankles can be common and is often alleviated by raising the feet regularly to assist in blood return. However, with CHF is it VERY important to weigh daily, around the same time of day. It is usually considered best to do so first thing in the morning. If there is more than 1-2 pounds in a day, or several pounds in a week, then the gain is almost certainly fluid retention. This can lead to a very dangerous series of physiological events. In this case, the Dr might prescribe Lasix or something else to help get the fluid off.
You do NOT want to wait while rapidly retaining fluids with CHF.

congestive heart failure is a common problem in the older generation. it is usually well controlled with diet and medications. as long as your grandma doesn't eat alot of salt, eats a diet rich in potassium, and takes her medications, she should be around for quite awhile yet.
http://www.algaecal.com/potassium-foods....

AJ as long as your Grandmother is compliant with her meds, and watches what she eats, she should have no problem staying healthy. In regards to her ankles, she would need to elevate them from time to time to prevent further swelling.

My grandfather had congestive heart failure over 8 years, and died from cancer. Many, many people live years with heart failure- the key is seriously follwing the doctors instructions, taking good care of oneself as well as taking medicines as prescribed. Your grandma will come to terms with her illness when she is ready. It had to be a shock to hear this news, and it probably frightened her, like it owuld most people. When she comes to accept it, and learns more about it, she will be better with it. Let your grandma know you love her, and spend timew with her as you usually do- but do not treat her like she is dying, and do allow her the time she needs to adjust to this news.

eat less salt
take medications regularly
and live long!!

My grandmother had CHF and it is a sign the heart is wearing out. She should be very careful of her salt intake and use some of the salt substitutes rather than salt itself and hopefully the doctor has put her on a strict diet and discussed these issues with her already. The swelling is because the heart isn't always pumping properly.

When she gets up to stand, she should always move slowly and not try to move right away or she could get dizzy and pass out if the heart isn't able to handle everything at once. And anytime she is standing and feels dizzy, she needs to lie down immediately so her BP can level out. That saved my grandmother's life one time.

CHF means your grandmother's heart is over-worked from all the years she has lived so it's having to pump harder to get blood in and out to the body and she most likely has blockage in the arteries and all so that makes the heart work that much harder to get the blood to move.

Hopefully your mom isn't letting your grandmother see how tense she is, as that could make your grandmother worry about her and add more stress on her already weakened heart.

I took my grandmother to the doctor and took care of setting up her medication because she wasn't able to do all that and every night after work, I went over and checked on her to make sure everything was ok with her and grandpa. If she had a problem, I was right on the phone with the doctor for advice.

And now is the time to talk with your grandmother about when she was a child and things they did when she was growing up and how they did it compared to today ~ it will relax her as she recalls those fun-filled days and you will get to see a part of life and the "way it was" years ago and learn alot about your family members, where they were born and the hardships they survived. And write it down or record these things when you talk with her. You may get into genealogy later and will be thankful you did this.

Keep a cool head ~ it sounds like you might have to take charge if anything happens. God bless you for your love and respect for someone who cherishes you :)

Hi AJ,

The mortality statistics associated with heart failure have changed for the better over the last 15 or so years. With the advent of ACE inhibitors and beta blockers, the prognosis for the average heart failure patient has improved dramatically. So your mother should not be too alarmed.

From what you have told us, your grandmother's heart failure does sound manageable. However, the medications required to help manage it are quite strong and will likely force a change in life style, along with the dietary changes that others have noted. Regular moderate exercise, weight loss, and other measures can also make a big difference.

If your grandmother has not yet seen a doctor who specializes in heart failure, I think it's a good idea to find one. It isn't that common, so she is likely to get better advice from someone who makes it a specialty. (This was the case for my wife, who was diagnosed last year at the ripe old age of 43.)

To establish all of these changes in lifestyle, I highly recommend a cardio rehab program. It will help your grandmother understand why she needs to make these changes and get her into a routine for regular exercise, healthy diet, etc.

You, your mother, and your grandmother might all be interested in further reading and support on the subject. I'll leave you with a few resources for further information below...

-Mark Moeglein

Congestive Heart Failure; the heart is congested, though not with phlegm, like when you get a cold. Fluids accumulate in your cardiovascular system, making your heart work harder

When this happens, it's usually in the elderly, though young people can have this problem.

Strict adherence to a medication regimen and diet are MUSTS. Often, people need diuretics (water pills) to remove the extra liquid from taxing their hearts and cardiovascular system.

That is fluid retention. She should be taking a diuretic to rid her body of fluids which can build up around her heart pocket and other organs. If she takes that and her other meds. she should be fine. I have had it for years.