Conversation: The conversation between human and AI assistant.
[|Human|] Hello. My mother has both right and left side heart failure, a severe mitral valve prolapse. A light smoker for years. She had hip surgery a week ago. Her voice is very hoarse and I was wondering if this could be a symptom of her chronic heart failure? She also has COPD, and is now in a rehab facility. She does receive several breathing treatments a day, both at the rehab facility and when at home. Lots of meds. Thanks.
[|AI|]  Thank you for your question. According to the details provided by you, your mother is suffering from heart failure with COPD. And now she has an associated hoarseness of voice. Does she have cough at present? Or difficulty in swallowing? It would be prudent to visit an ENT specialist in order to check her throat and rule out any problems there. The use of an Endotracheal tube to help her to breathe during anesthesia in surgery can also cause hoarseness of voice which can last up to 3 or 4 weeks. This too can be confirmed by an ENT specialist.  A chest X-ray may also help to rule out any other causes. In certain situations, the nerve to her voice organ or the larynx may be pressed upon by something leading to hoarseness. Again a X-ray may help wit this. One other situation you should bear in mind is that since she has heart failure, her heart is probable dilated or swollen. Sometimes (though rarely) an enlarged heart may press upon her voice organ nerve leading to hoarseness of voice (this is called Others syn Chat Doctor. If I were your mothers' physician I would get an ENT opinion as well as a chest X-ray. Further investigations maybe needed according to the discretion of your physician. I hope this will help you to take a decision regarding further management for your mother. If you need further clarifications please do get back to me.