What Causes Breathing Difficulty And Unexplained Weight Gain?

Posted on Mon, 6 Feb 2017

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

Mon, 6 Feb 2017 Answered on

Thu, 23 Mar 2017 Last reviewed on

Question : I am having difficulty breathing. Cannot lay down at all in a bed and must sleep standing up. Have shortness of breath after short walk to kitchen or any exercise. Been happening for a week, but have had heart disease for about 15 years. Last angio 2010, blockages 100, 100, 70%. Not on any oxygen treatment. Having chills and water retention. weight gain unexplained also. Had double bypass 2004. Male 71 yrs old.

Am sleeping in a chair.

Am not on any oxygen therapy

Answered by Dr. Dr Sameer Maheshwari (40 minutes later)

Brief Answer:
Signs of Congestive Heart Failure

Detailed Answer:
Hi,
This is Dr Sameer, cardiologist.
The symptoms you telling are specifically of congestive heart failure (means congestion of lung due to back pressure of heart).
You will need a fresh 2D Echo done. In the meanwhile take Tab Dytor or tab Lasix which will remove this fluid through urine. You will also need some other medicines to be escalated (like ACE inhibitor & beta blocker) for which you have to get a Kidney Function Test done for these medicine to be started.
A fresh Angiography, might be required for further evaluation. So I'll recommend you to go to your cardiologist soon.
As i said take Tab Dytor 20mg once daily or Tab Lasix 40mg twice daily before you go to your doctor. Also decrease the fluid intake to about 1.5ltr/day.
Keep me posted if you need any help.
Thanks
Take care

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Nagamani Ng