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What Causes Presence Of Fluid Around The Heart After Surgery For Hernia?

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Posted on Sat, 6 Feb 2016
Question: My 41 yr old son has very swollen feet and ankles, extremely round abdomen. Had hernia surgery last year. Trip to emergency room today showed heart, lungs, kidneys ok but there is fluid around heart and possibly in ab. He has sleep apnea and has very difficult time sleeping. No diabetes. He smokes. Doctor said he must lose weight and stop smoking. They treated him with Lasix, gave him script for 10 days of Lasix (sp?) and potassium, and released him. I don't understand what causes fluid around heart. I'm extremely concerned.
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Answered by Dr. Saad Sultan (3 hours later)
Brief Answer:
maintain proper follow up.

Detailed Answer:
Welcome at HCM.
I am Dr XXXXXXX XXXXXXX and will be answering your query. I have gone through your query and being your physician I completely understand your health concerns.
For how long he is suffering from it? Any other associated problem? What about the blood pressure?
As far as fluid around the heart ( pericardial effusion) is concerned it needs to be investigated.
It may be idiopathic mean without any cause or it occurs in variety of conditions like pericarditis ( inflammation of covering of the heart I.e pericardium) , infections ( viral that includes mumps , coxackie virus ,echoviruses and bacterial like tuberculosis) , uremia ( kidney failure) , hypothyroidism, autoimmune disorders like rheumatoid arthritis, and post Myocardial infarction .
Treatment depends upon the severity and symptoms.
Small effusions with no symptoms generally doesn't require any treatment. It need to be followed by a serial echocardiography to look for any change.
As far as your case is concerned, lasix is prescribed for swollen feet and it also decreases the effusion as well. But you should follow proper follow up with your doctor so that any intervention if needed can be done in time.
As long as there is no chest pain , no breathing difficulty you should not be worried. But do maintain proper follow up with your cardiologist.
Stay calm
Hope it helps
Regards
Dr XXXXXXX XXXXXXX
Note: For further queries related to kidney problems and comprehensive renal care, talk to a Nephrologist. Click here to Book a Consultation.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Sonia Raina
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Answered by
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Dr. Saad Sultan

General & Family Physician

Practicing since :2013

Answered : 1049 Questions

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What Causes Presence Of Fluid Around The Heart After Surgery For Hernia?

Brief Answer: maintain proper follow up. Detailed Answer: Welcome at HCM. I am Dr XXXXXXX XXXXXXX and will be answering your query. I have gone through your query and being your physician I completely understand your health concerns. For how long he is suffering from it? Any other associated problem? What about the blood pressure? As far as fluid around the heart ( pericardial effusion) is concerned it needs to be investigated. It may be idiopathic mean without any cause or it occurs in variety of conditions like pericarditis ( inflammation of covering of the heart I.e pericardium) , infections ( viral that includes mumps , coxackie virus ,echoviruses and bacterial like tuberculosis) , uremia ( kidney failure) , hypothyroidism, autoimmune disorders like rheumatoid arthritis, and post Myocardial infarction . Treatment depends upon the severity and symptoms. Small effusions with no symptoms generally doesn't require any treatment. It need to be followed by a serial echocardiography to look for any change. As far as your case is concerned, lasix is prescribed for swollen feet and it also decreases the effusion as well. But you should follow proper follow up with your doctor so that any intervention if needed can be done in time. As long as there is no chest pain , no breathing difficulty you should not be worried. But do maintain proper follow up with your cardiologist. Stay calm Hope it helps Regards Dr XXXXXXX XXXXXXX