Patient's question:
Grandma previously suffered from left lower limb arterial embolism due to rheumatic heart disease. Because she wasn't treated immediately, her left lower limb had to be amputated. She hasn't fully recovered yet. Grandma has had rheumatic heart disease for 34 years. What should we do? I want to ask if there are any methods to treat it well? Our whole family is very worried about Grandma's condition.Doctor's answer:
A low-sodium diet is very important, as it can reduce blood volume and the heart's preload. At the same time, it is recommended to use isosorbide dinitrate for medication to stabilize the heart's afterload. It is also important to prevent colds to avoid symptoms worsening after recovery. Initially, this disease is prone to causing lung infections. If multiple episodes of chest tightness, shortness of breath, and mild cough occur at night, it is recommended to take digoxin tablets and isosorbide dinitrate orally simultaneously. If multiple episodes of coughing up phlegm, shortness of breath, and wheezing occur simultaneously, it is recommended to undergo a thorough chest X-ray examination at the hospital and receive anti-inflammatory medication to completely eliminate the lung infection.