TO YOUR GOOD HEALTH: Cardiac patient’s thirst runs rampant
DEAR DR. ROACH: I’m 74 years old, and I was diagnosed with congestive heart failure with a recent ejection fraction of 25%. My cardiologist has me taking empagliflozin (Jardiance) and furosemide (Lasix) daily. With moderate cardio exercise therapy every other day and two diuretics daily, my thirst runs rampant during the evenings, and I find myself drinking fluids to compensate. Am I nullifying the intended purpose of the diuretics? — D.P. ANSWER: The main purpose of diuretics is to remove excess salt and water from the body. However, we all need some salt and water, so the ...