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Lifestyle and home remedies

By Mayo Clinic staff

The following suggestions may speed your recovery from cardiac pulmonary edema and help prevent a recurrence:

  • Weigh yourself daily. Do so in the morning before breakfast and keep a record of your daily weight. Call your doctor if you've gained 2 to 3 pounds (about 4 to 7 kilograms) in a single day.
  • Follow your doctor's instructions regarding diet. Most people with pulmonary edema will need to follow a low-salt diet. Ask for a referral to a dietitian if you need help evaluating the salt content in foods. If you don't cook your own meals, have whoever does most of your cooking join you when you visit the dietitian.
  • If you have high blood pressure, take steps to control it. The best way to do this is to check your blood pressure with a home cuff at least once a day. Ask your doctor for guidelines regarding your optimal blood pressure.
  • Listen to medical advice. Follow your doctor's advice about controlling any underlying health problems, including advice about diet, weight and exercise.
  • Get plenty of sleep each night. Take a nap during the day if you feel tired. It may take as long as three to six months before your lung function returns to normal.

If you've experienced noncardiac pulmonary edema — including some forms of ARDS — take care to minimize any further damage to your lungs, and as much as possible avoid the cause of your condition, such as drugs, allergens or high altitudes.

Prevention Treatments and drugs

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References
  1. Pulmonary edema. The Merck Manuals: The Merck Manual for Healthcare Professionals. http://www.merck.com/mmpe/print/sec07/ch074/ch074b.html. Accessed June 4, 2009.
  2. Schwartzstein RM. Dyspnea and Pulmonary Edema. In: Fauci AS, et al. Harrison's Principles of Internal Medicine. 17th ed. New York, N.Y. Mc-Graw Hill Medical; 2008. http://www.accessmedicine.com/content.aspx?aID=2863220. Accessed June 4, 2009.
  3. Ware LB, et al. Acute pulmonary edema. New England Journal of Medicine. 2005;353:2788.
  4. Signs and symptoms of heart failure. American Heart Association. http://www.americanheart.org/print_presenter.jhtml?identifier=339. Accessed June 6, 2009.
  5. Harris MD, et al. High-altitude medicine. American Academy of Family Physicians. http://www.aafp.org/afp/AFPprinter/980415ap/harris.html?print=yes. Accessed June 6, 2009.
  6. O'Brien JF, et al. Heart failure. In: Marx JA, et al. Rosen's Emergency Medicine Concepts and Practice. Philadelphia, Pa.; Mosby Elsevier: 2006. http://www.mdconsult.com/das/book/body/141932241-3/849416907/1365/226.html#4-u1.0-B0-323-02845-4..50085-8--cesec4_3780. Accessed June 6, 2009.
  7. What causes cardiomyopathy? National Heart, Lung and Blood Institute. http://www.nhlbi.nih.gov/health/dci/Diseases/cm/cm_causes.html. Accessed June 6, 2009.
  8. What is ARDS?  National Heart, Lung and Blood Institute. http://www.nhlbi.nih.gov/health/dci/Diseases/Ards/Ards_All.html. Accessed June 4, 2009.
  9. Givertz MM. Noncardiogenic pulmonary edema. http://www.uptodate.com/home/index.html. Accessed June 5, 2009.
  10. Swenson ER. Pathogenesis of high-altitude pulmonary edema: Inflammation is not an etiologic factor. Journal of the American Medical Association. 2002; 287: 2295
  11. Mattu A, et al. Modern management of cardiogenic pulmonary edema. Emergency Medicine Clinics of North America. 2005;23:1105
  12. Acetazolamide (Prescribing information). Haifa Bay, Israel. Taro Pharmaceuticals, Inc. http://www.taro.com/media/oMedia/Acetazolamide%20Tablets%20%200305-1.pdf. Accessed June 6, 2009.
  13. ABCs of Preventing Heart Disease, Stroke and Heart Attack. American Heart Association. http://americanheart.org/presenter.jhtml?identifier=3035374. Accessed June 6, 2009.
  14. How do I know if I have high blood pressure. American Heart Association. http://www.americanheart.org/print_presenter.jhtml?identifier=219. Accessed June 6, 2009.
  15. About high blood pressure. American Heart Association. http://www.americanheart.org/print_presenter.jhtml?identifier=468. Accessed June 6, 2009.
  16. How can I reduce high blood pressure? American Heart Association. Accessed June 6, 2009.
  17. Cigarette smoking and cardiovascular disease. American Heart Association. http://www.americanheart.org/print_presenter.jhtml?identifier=4545. Accessed June 6, 2009.
  18. Rosenow EC (expert opinion). Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minn. June 12, 2009.
  19. Grogan M (expert opinion). Mayo Clinic. Rochester, Minn. June 12, 2009.

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