I have never considered what if any effects heart failure would have on a
mother's milk supply, but I would not be surprised if it was quite
substantial.  I was diagnosed a couple of years ago with atrial
fibrillation and sick sinus syndrome (I actually now have 5 official
cardiac diagnoses, sigh) which is lumped under the generic heading
of "heart failure".  Fortunately, this diagnosis occured well after my
childbearing years, but I was astounded at the variety of "things" I
noticed that were happening to me - my hair got much thinner (not falling
out, just noticeably thinner), my nails grew more slowly and were brittle,
and then there were the more obvious expected symptoms like fatigue (beyond
exhaustion) and shortness of breath.  People would also tell me that I
looked pale.  After being put on every antiarrythmic currently on the
market one drug at a time (most of which necessitate a hospital stay for
continuous monitoring) I finally hit on the last drug left untried which
actually works!.  In the last 6 months, my hair is back to normal, as are
my nails, I actually have energy again and at my last appt with the
cardiologist he told me I looked a lot better.
So, I guess the point of this post is that I'm sure a mother's milk supply
would logically be affected in some way if she is in heart failure.  Makes
sense, since cardiac function plays such a vital role in normal physiologic
functions.

Pam Hirsch, RN,BSN,CLC
Clinical Lead, Lactation Services
Advocate Good Shepherd Hospital
Barrington, IL  USA

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