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Suggest Treatment For Persistent Cough And Chest Congestion When Diagnosed With Atrial Fibrillation

Posted on Mon, 27 Jul 2015

Question: I have had a persistent cough over the last 3 weeks. Thought it was a cold or allergy took Benadryl allergy helped but more persistent. Called family doctor suggested take Mucinex D 1200 helped with chest congestion but has not resolved the cough. When I lay down must prop head up or I cough all night. Take sugar free cough drops and helps for short time then coughing starts again. I have AFib but under control with Eliquis 5 Mg twice a day & Flecainide 100 MG twice a day. Have had much more coughing over the last 4 hrs. Blood pressure checked 6:55PM 161/77 pul 74. Normal pressure 138/75 pul 73 Is this something I need to deal with soon.

Answered by Dr. Baranidharan Kuselan (1 hour later)

Brief Answer:
Chest xray to be done

Detailed Answer:
Hi there,
Thanks for posting in HCM.

I presume your only symptom now is cough.
And I believe you do not have other symptoms like shortness of breath and swelling of the legs.
A person with heart failure will have cough on lying down. But in addition may have severe breathlessness also. Since you do not have breathlessness, heart failure is unlikely.

Other causes of cough while lying down are postnasal drip and silent gastroesophageal reflux disease.
Since the cough is for more than 3 weeks, a chest xray should be done.
Take prilosec and if the cough is due to silent GERD, you will get relief.

Your systolic blood pressure is on the higher side. Take your BP pills regularly. Take salt restricted diet. If it is persistently high, consult your doctor for a change in medication or the dose.

I hope that answers your query.
Let me know if you have any more questions.
Regards,
Dr.Barani

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Yogesh D