Concerns About Heart Failure: Seeking Insights
I’m a 25-year-old woman, standing at 5'2" and weighing around 140 pounds. I smoke marijuana and tobacco, and I have experienced two pregnancies, one of which was complicated by high blood pressure. My mother was diagnosed with heart failure at the age of 24, and she is currently at stage 4 of the condition. I’m curious if anyone here has faced a heart failure diagnosis and what led you to seek medical advice. What were the warning signs for you? I've started to notice some troubling symptoms similar to what my mother experienced early on. Frequently, I feel a constricting pain on the left side of my chest, just near my collarbone, extending to my neck. I become easily breathless, even when resting in bed; I often find myself needing to take deep breaths when I first lie down. Recently, I dealt with notable swelling in my ankles and face, reminiscent of being pregnant once more. Additionally, I suffer from considerable bloating, persistent headaches, and troubling episodes where I experience lightheadedness, tunnel vision, and even temporary blackouts if I don't lie down immediately. During these moments, I also feel nauseous and extremely sweaty, to the point where it seems I’ve just emerged from a shower, and my complexion turns quite pale. My husband has humorously remarked after seeing this happen, “you just dropped on me,” giving you an idea of the severity. These episodes typically last from a few minutes up to ten minutes, though a couple of months back, one persisted for about half an hour. I have a scheduled appointment with my doctor in the future, but I’m contemplating going to the emergency room due to these alarming episodes; however, I hesitate because last time I sought help, the response was dismissive, with the advice to simply quit smoking.
Answers (1)
2/18/2026, 2:30:48 AM
OpenHealth AI
Your symptoms are concerning and warrant serious attention, especially given your family history of heart failure. It’s important to prioritize your health and seek immediate evaluation for the symptoms you described, which may be indicative of cardiovascular issues.
Key Points:
- Concerning Symptoms: Your experiences of chest pain, breathlessness, swelling, lightheadedness, and blackouts are significant and may indicate heart problems.
- Family History: Given your mother's early diagnosis of heart failure, your symptoms can raise valid concerns about your cardiovascular health.
- Immediate Action Needed: You mentioned contemplating a visit to the emergency room, which is advisable if your symptoms are severe or worsening.
Explanation:
Heart failure can manifest with a variety of symptoms, including shortness of breath, swelling in the legs and ankles (edema), and fatigue. The constricting pain near your collarbone and episodes of lightheadedness could indicate reduced blood flow or pressure issues, potentially signaling a serious condition. Your history of high blood pressure and smoking further increases your risk.
Next Steps:
-
Go to the Emergency Room: Given the severity and combination of your symptoms (especially the chest pain and episodes of lightheadedness), you should seek immediate medical attention. It’s better to have the symptoms assessed promptly to rule out any serious conditions.
-
Document Symptoms: If possible, keep a record of your symptoms before you go to the ER. Note when they occur, their duration, and any triggers or associated activities. This information can be helpful to healthcare providers.
-
Avoid Triggers: In the meantime, minimize activities that could exacerbate your symptoms, such as smoking, and focus on staying calm. Try to find a comfortable position if you experience discomfort.
-
Prepare for Your Doctor’s Appointment: Once you've received immediate care, consider discussing lifestyle modifications and preventive strategies during your scheduled appointment. This can include smoking cessation programs, dietary changes, and exercises that are safe for your condition.
Your health is a priority, and it's crucial to be proactive about these potentially serious issues. Don’t hesitate to seek help, even if previous experiences were not satisfactory; your safety comes first. Please take care, and remember that you deserve the thorough care and compassion you need.
Related Questions
Experiencing Chest Discomfort at 21: Seeking Advice and Reassurance
Age: 21, Female, approximately 173 lbs. I used to smoke on a daily basis until about a year ago, but now I only indulge occasionally in both tobacco and cannabis. The discomfort began after a workout session with my girlfriend when I mentioned feeling a pressure-like sensation on the right side of my chest, initially dismissing it as something typical. However, it became apparent that this sensation is not considered normal, prompting her to express her concern. I've had episodes of this sensation intermittently for quite some time. Thankfully, the degree of pain is mild and often resembles a cramp. It tends to subside after a few minutes, but its intensity can vary. On this particular occasion, I pressed on the area, which resulted in a slight increase in discomfort. Additional context: I’ve observed that I tend to hold my breath involuntarily during exercise. I recently underwent blood tests, which revealed low levels of vitamin D and B12. In the past couple of years, I had several visits to a cardiologist following an EKG that indicated irregular heart rhythm; however, they attributed these findings to anxiety after substantial testing and expense. Furthermore, I've recently been diagnosed with mild to moderate sleep apnea. If anyone has any insights or advice, I would greatly appreciate it! As someone who has a tendency to worry about health issues, any reassurance would truly help!
Combining Losartan Potassium with Hydroxyzine: Is It Safe?
Age: 31 Gender: Male Height: 5 feet 9 inches Weight: 160 pounds Ethnicity: Asian Region: United States Lifestyle: Non-smoker, does not consume alcohol Relevant health concerns: asthma, anxiety Medications currently prescribed: albuterol, QVAR I have been prescribed losartan potassium at a dosage of 12.5 mg to help manage my hypertension, which I take in the evening. Lately, however, I have faced challenges with sleeplessness, prompting my psychiatrist to recommend hydroxyzine at 25 mg. I used a drug interaction tool online and found that it indicated: "The combination of losartan and hydroxyzine might enhance the effect of lowering your blood pressure." Given this information, should I avoid taking these two medications together?
Seeking Clarity on Abnormal EKG Results
Today, I received troubling results from an EKG at an urgent care facility. The findings indicated an "Incomplete right bundle branch block," accompanied by a concerning QRS axis measuring 134, and a right axis deviation ranging between +120 to +180. My blood pressure was also elevated, recorded at 138/87. Furthermore, my QRSD was 102 with a PR interval of 146. The P axis measured -3, and the QT/QTc values were 394 and 439, respectively. As a 38-year-old male, I've been experiencing frequent heart palpitations and occasional mild chest discomfort. Initially, I attributed these symptoms to my heavy marijuana use, from which I withdrew about a week ago following a distressing experience with edibles that led me to believe I was having a heart attack. Now, I’m left wondering if I'm facing more serious health challenges, and it's significantly amplifying my anxiety. I have a scheduled visit with my general practitioner on Friday, who will likely refer me to a cardiologist for further evaluation. I'm reaching out to see if anyone could shed light on the severity of these readings. The doctor at urgent care seemed genuinely worried and mentioned I might require a Holter monitor for additional assessment. Am I in dire straits? :(
Concerns About Severe Hypertension: Seeking Guidance
Age: 39 Gender: Male Height: 6'2" Weight: 280 lbs I am deeply concerned about my fiancé, who is experiencing dangerously elevated blood pressure levels. Recently, his readings reached an alarming 200/130, prompting me to urge him to seek immediate medical attention at the emergency room. Unfortunately, after a lengthy 9-hour wait, we were advised to return home and follow up with his primary care doctor the next day. His physician has been unresponsive in prescribing the medication they had discussed over two weeks ago. Today, she simply remarked that it would take time for his blood pressure to decrease and sent him home with the same medication he was meant to receive weeks earlier. Given that the emergency services in our area are unreliable and his primary care provider does not seem to take his hypertension seriously, I am left feeling uncertain about the best course of action. I am aware that prolonged high blood pressure can lead to serious damage to his organs, yet it appears that he’s expected to just wait and see what happens. Currently, he is dealing with a bloody nose, likely caused by the hypertension, which adds to my distress. I would greatly appreciate any advice or suggestions on what steps we can take next to address this critical situation.
Seeking Guidance on Blood Tests and THC Use
Hello everyone! I understand that I might catch some flak for this since I'm not of legal age yet, but I really need to get straight to the issue. Yesterday, I had an appointment with my esthetician, and due to my acne being particularly inflamed and unpredictable, they suggested that my parents take me for a blood test to identify possible underlying causes affecting my skin. Here’s where my concern arises: I frequently use THC vape cartridges, and I’m anxious about the possibility that my blood test results might reveal this to my parents. I’m completely clueless about the types of blood tests that might be performed or if they routinely check for substances like THC, but the thought of my parents discovering my usage is really distressing. It’s been years since my last medical checkup, so I'm feeling quite anxious about the whole situation. My parents mentioned they might need to draw several vials of blood, which sounds intimidating in itself! I’m overwhelmed with worry. I would greatly appreciate any advice or support right now! I’m super nervous and honestly, not sure what steps to take. I even used THC earlier today and I'm uncertain if I should do so again before my appointment next week. Thank you for any help you can provide!