What Do Weight Gain, Fluid Retention And High BP Indicate?

Posted on Thu, 9 Apr 2015

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

Thu, 9 Apr 2015 Answered on

Wed, 29 Apr 2015 Last reviewed on

Question : Hi my name is Amanda my health has rapidly deteriorated since September 2014. My symptoms being severe now:

1. Rapid and severe weight gain ( I have always weighed 118ish) this weight gain is not food related. (Approx 45 lbs)
2. Severe fluid retention 4-8 lb heavier in evening from morning.
3. Just past couple days very winded even resting on couch.
4. Small trace blood in spit I cough up.
5. High bp ranging bottom numbers 90"s to 150"s with isolated incidents much higher.
So far I have had:
1. Siliva cortisol test (being repeated due to testing error)
2. Chest X-ray - normal
3. Hotter monitor
The holster monitor showed my resting hr to be consistently over 100bpm and up to 140. One event of supraventricular, 10 episodes st depression 2.5, 6 st depression 2.1 and 3 st depressions 2.7 with longest 2.5 episode lasting 145 minutes.
The dr says this is normal yet there has been a suspicion of chf and family history.
What are your thoughts regarding the holter monitor reading and the possibility still remaining or not of chf? What testing would you suggest next?

Answered by Dr. Benard Shehu (9 hours later)

Brief Answer:
Following answer to your query.

Detailed Answer:
Hi and thank you for asking!
I read your query and understood your concerns.

After reviewing your data my opinion is that it looks like you have congestive heart failure, that is manifested with weight gain, water retention, tachycardia, SVT, hemoptisia (spitting blood).

If you were my patient i would recommend the following examinations :
- cardiac echo
- stress test
- cardiac ct angiography

This examinations will find out the right diagnosis and what had caused congestive heart failure (chf).

Wish you health!
Dr. Shehu

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