I was diagnosed with congestive heart failure in September of 2009. I am a 41 year old female who has abused drugs my whole life. On the 21st of September 2009 when the swelling in my legs would not go down a friend of mine decided for me that it was time to go to the ER. I had no pain, so I was fighting it all the way down there. After all the test results came back, the ER doctor explained to me that my many years of drug abuse had finally caught up to me and my heart was failing. Since then I have been taking my medication and potassium as prescribed. I now have a new addiction and she the best puppy in the world!

dry cough can't sleep feel faint holding my fluid gaining weight short of breath feet legs ankles and hands swelling

I was just diagnosed with diastolic congestive heart failure. My symptoms presented like the flu or bronchitis, or pneumonia. By the time I went to the doctor, I did not think I was that bad. He sent me to the ER and I still did not have regular symptoms. Then when my lab work came back a number in my blood that was to be between 45-55 was 1200. So they kept me for awhile. I am a 62 years old and I have had four heart attacks, each one was different symptoms – none of which were the symptoms they tell you to look out for. I didn't even know I had a heart attack until I also had a stroke.

I was first diagnosed with hypertrophic cardiomyopathy in 1984. This is a genetic condition which thickens the walls of the heart. I was prone to random fainting attacks and was proscribed beta blockers. About 4 years ago as the result of research I was given a pace maker to regulate and maintain a steady heartbeat. This resolved the fainting attacks. In July 2009 whilst on a holiday to Florida I experienced severe breathing problems, particularly at night in bed. Went to local hospital where I was diagnosed with pneumonia and congestive heart failure. I am currently undergoing treatment as an out-patient. I feel generally lethargic and tired and feel unable to exercise although light exercise has been recommended.

I have emphysema (COPD) and was vacationing in Colorado at 8500 feet. It's pretty high altitude, but I had vacationed there for 9 years. This visit, though, I couldn't catch my breath, even on flat ground, so went on oxygen therapy. Even with the oxygen, I felt weak, fatigued, and sweaty. And what really convinced me to fly back to Maine was the feeling like I was getting bad bronchitis - lots of coughing and phlegm-without being "sick". Once home, I was diagnosed with congestive heart failure and placed on diuretics and different blood pressure medicine.

On March 15, 2006 I awoke at 3:00a.m. To use the bathroom and I had felt like someone hit me on the shoulder blade. By the grace Of God my wife was up next thing I know I'm staring at the ceiling and have lost all bodily functions on the bathroom floor. Ambulance was called and determined that I in fact had a Heart Attack. Here I am 43 year old Caucasian male. I work 65 to 70 hours a week and smoke like a train w/ occasional drink and Diagnosed w/ Sleep Apnea. And I've just had a Heart Attack. My God!!!!!! Angioplasty was performed blockage dealt w/stents. Here I am 4 years later; quit smoking only 3 months ago. Have had several more stents put in 8 total. And now I'm dealing w/The not so early stage of Congestive Heart Failure.