Suffer From Periodic Cardiac Arrhytmias, Shortness Of Breath, Swollen Ankles And Persistent Cough. What Does This Indicate?

Posted on Mon, 8 Jul 2013

Medically reviewed by Ask A Doctor - 24x7 Medical Review Team

Mon, 8 Jul 2013 Answered on

Tue, 30 Jul 2013 Last reviewed on

Question : What problem would the following symptoms seem to indicate:
1. Periodic cardiac arrhytmias
2. Shortness of breath when climbing stairs
3. Swollen ankles
4. A persistent deep cough which has lasted approx. two months.

Answered by Dr. Dr. Shruti Rijhwani (23 minutes later)

Hi !

Thank you for your query.

Dear sir ,

Well all these symptoms indicate towards a cardiac problem like congestive heart failure or cardiomyopathy can give this kind of picture .

Arrythmias occur due to increased cardiac chamber size . Shortness of breath and cough are due to chest congestion due to pulmonary edema .

Swollen ankles due to decreased venous return to heart and is a sign of right sided heart failure .

Hope you are satisfied with the answer.

Wish you good health.

Take care.

Dr. Shruti

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar