What are the signs of congestive heart failure while taking Actos for diabetes?
You’ve been taking Actos for over six months now, and thankfully, you don’t seem to have experienced any side effects. You were worried that you might be at risk of a heart attack, but you’ve never had any chest pain or sudden symptoms-just a little weight gain.
Unfortunately, there’s another risk to your heart besides a sudden attack-one that you’re far less likely to notice.
Congestive heart failure is a condition that develops when the heart is too weak to pump enough oxygen-filled blood to the rest of your body. It can affect the right, left, or both sides of the heart, and it is often a chronic condition that can only be managed with constant care.
Since the heart is not strong enough to pump blood throughout the body, the blood may “back up” in the extremities. Other fluids may pool in the liver, lungs, hands, arms and feet-also known as edema. This fluid retention causes a lack of oxygen to the other organs, slowly damaging them over time.
Not only has pioglitazone been known to worsen congestive heart failure, but Actos also causes edema, making it extremely likely that healthy diabetic patients will eventually experience debilitating cardiac symptoms.
If you are taking Actos in Palm Beach, check yourself for the following symptoms of congestive heart failure:
- Sudden weight gain
- Shortness of breath
- Fatigue
- Chest or stomach pain
- A persistent dry cough or wheezing
- Fluid retention or swelling in the hands, feet, legs or ankles
- High cholesterol levels
- A history of coronary artery disease
- Heart attacks
- Irregular heartbeat
Many patients who are unable to exercise, or whose activity is limited to sitting or lying down may also be suffering from congestive heart failure. If you have trouble moving around freely or can only breathe while lying down, it is vital that you be tested for congestive heart failure.
As experienced Palm Beach personal injury attorneys, we know how hard it is for diabetic patients to lead their daily lives. That’s why we fight just as hard to get compensation for people whose medications do more harm than good-getting them the help they need to survive and heal.
If someone you love has suffered from heart problems while taking Actos in Florida, call Fetterman & Associates today at (866) 865-1244 for your free consultation.
