Expert: David W. Richardson Date: 10/5/2006 Subject: congestive heart failure
Question Hi -
Please pardon the fact that this question has nothing to do with a medical residency, but in reading your responses to other questions posted to you, I thought I'd give it a shot.
I am a 53 year old, obese, african american woman. Last year I went into emergency with horrible pain and spasms in my back because I could barely walk. My blood pressure was okay (I take cardizam and lisinopril), but my legs were very swollen. No blood clots present in vascular exam. The doctors kept throwing around the term, "congestive heart failure." By the end of the night, they released me with some pain pills, valium to relax my back muscles, and a note that advised me to talk to my primary physician about edema with pitting. After hours of chit chat ( and nearly scaring me to death) about the congestive heart failure, there was no notation, no recommendations for followup. Did I get over it that quickly or is it something I still need to be concerned about? Thanks.
Answer Dear Caroline,
Congestive heart failure's symptoms are shortness of breath with minimal exertion or at rest, cough, and swelling of the legs and feet. The swelling pits, that is a dent is left if a finger is pressed firmly into the swelling for half a minute. Back pain is not part of congestive failure at all. Were your legs swollen before the back pain? Cardizem, sitting with legs hanging down for hours, and even obesity can cause swelling that pits. Are your legs still swollen and pitting? If not, I guess you can do nothing. But if your legs are still swelling, please find out why by seeing your own doctor.
Please write back if this note doesn't answer all your questions.
