Hi
My husband has was diagnosed with Heart failure in February. We were devastated when we were told They have increased his beta blocker and are trying him on a new tablet.
I heard yesterday on the news that Ozempic is the biggest breakthrough for Heart conditions in 20 years and can actually Prevent the deterioration of Heart Failure Has any one been offered this ? As we believe this could be very beneficial to my husband’s quality of life and life expectancy
Thank you
This drug may be offered to my husband by his GP for type 2 diabetes and it can also be used to lose weight. Not heard about the heart failure connection.Ask your GP for advice.
I did a quick Google and apparently it helps those with preserved EF heart failure who have weight issues.
Thank you We seeing his consultant in a few weeks so will ask him. Just wondered if anyone else had heard anything about it. As I heard a scientist talking on the news this week about it
I think its just about weight loss being benificial to many people with heart problems - beta blockers often prescribed for heart conditions can lead to people piling on the weight.
My understanding was that it reduces the risk of a heart attack or heart failure due to obesity or being overweight, which makes sense as being overweight increases health risks, but I'm happy to be told I'm wrong. A lot of people with HF/heart disease put on weight due to their meds or because they're unable to exercise, limited mobility, etc.
My husband has had heart failure since at least 2012, can I ask what's the new tablet they're trying him on?
this This is a list of his medications. They have doubled his Bisoprosol The bottom tablets are he new ones they have given him to try
My husband also takes atorvastatin.(Statin) bisoprolol (beta blocker) & amiodarone (antiarrhythmic medication) the statin helps to reduce cholesterol & stabilise plaque to reduce a heart attack risk. The bisoprolol reduces the strain on his heart & the amiodarone helps control abnormal heart rhythms.
The edoxaban is an anti coagulant med, it helps stop his blood from clotting, I believe. My husband doesn't take any coagulants so my knowledge of this is quite sketchy.
Does your husband have reduced EF heart failure or preserved EF heart failure? Do you know what his EF is? Do you have access to a HF nurse?
I totally understand why you would feel devastated by his diagnosis, I know myself & my husband were too. It's early days for you at the moment, medication for HF has come on in leaps and bounds in recent years & life expectancy & quality of life has improved massively. There's still more meds out there that could help your husband, dapagliflozin, spirolactone Entresto, to name 3! But it can & does take time to get the meds right & to get the doses right. Please don't despair, I know of people who were diagnosed & hospitalised with severe HF and who are now running marathons!
Thank you for your reassuring words. This means a lot. I believe he has reduced EF HF. The HF nurses still haven’t contacted him yet even though the consultant rang them whilst we were with him. We are going to see the consultant soon Im glad I asked this question and clearly we have so much to learn about HF. I’m so grateful for your reply. You have made me feel much better about our future.
Thank you so much 🥰
Unfortunately the nurses are very busy, too few nurses and too many patients!! You could phone the nurses yourself, your surgery or hospital will be able to give you the number. They might be able to say when they'll be able to give your husband an appt.
My husband has reduced EF HF too, he also had an ICD. In the 12 years he's had HF his condition has gone from severe to mild to moderate too severe again. In that time he's gone to the gym 3/4 times a week, gone through cancer treatment, various operations & procedures, several house moves, many holidays abroad, concerts, music festivals etc. There is still a good life to get had, you may just need to make some adjustments to enjoy it to the full.
I read in the paper that this was an early “survey” of this drug, there’s quite a bit more work to do before it can be prescribed generally I think.
It was a scientist that said it on the news
Yes I heard it - very good news - but they need more trials before it’s on general release
I think probably the best drug is Entresto
For HFpEF I take Jardiance and it's helped a lot
I haven't specifically for heart failure, but I'm on it for my t1 diabetes. Very interested to see if it has helped my heart in any way
I was asked if I wanted to take part in a drug trial for this after my MI about 3 years ago. When I went for the assessment I was told it was an existing drug used on diabetic patients with weight problems as it is an appetite suppressant.Anyway I had lost sufficient weight that I was outside the scope for the trial
Entresto is usually the drug of choice for heart failure.What is your husbands ejection fraction?
I'm sure others have said, and will say, heart failure is a broad term and not always very helpful language. It is worth reading up on this and also talking with folk like the BHF nurses and/ or your husband's own cardiology team.
I was diagnosed with heart failure a couple of years back in my late 40s. Following successful treatment for AF I am now out of that category. But it was a very concerning time. So, I understand the worry.
As I understand it the new evidence for ozempic, linked to cardiac treatment, is creating excitement in some circles, but is early days. The results that were quoted on the media were from trials funded by the drug company and suggested that those who took the drug (whether they lost weight or not) had reduced burden on the heart which could translate as being useful in heart failure cases and in possibly other heart conditions. I haven't, yet, read any research on it so this is just a perspective based on an understanding of the info that was put out there this week. It could be a significant development. But its early days. My understanding is it will continue to be prescribed for weight loss/ obesity. It might take a while before there are wider prescribing parameters. Others might have more detailed information to offer you. This was just what I picked up on mainstream media.
But, as others have said, there are other drugs widely used for heart failure that have good evidence. It's worth looking into those.
Thank you. We clearly have so much to learn about HF and so many questions to ask
Thank you
There is A charity called pumping marvellous who may be useful. I've never made use of that but I've heard good things about them. I note that they prefer the language of heart inefficiency rather than heart failure. I think that's helpful. Heart failure need not be as devastating as the language suggests. That's not to undermine the legitimate worry you have.The BHF helpline is really very helpful also. They might be able to answer some of those questions.
My wife needs this to manage her type 2 diabetes but unfortunately it’s in such short supply that she’s being moved off ozempic due to lack of supply. This situation has being going on for some time since it was promoted as a weight loss solution. What ever the benefits for us with heart issues, it’s not any easy drug to live with and it is not going to be available anytime soon. Our pharmacy is suggesting lack of supply issues for the next few years.
the problem is where are they getting this drug, both Ozempic and Trulicity can't be had due to people buying it for weight loss who are not diabetic.
Yes, but with heart issues, it is prescibed to help reduce the weight to normal levels to assist the longevity of the patients life, like in diabetis.🙂
Eric yes I understand but there is a world shortage and possible shortage will continue until December 2024, so where are pharmacists able to obtain it, that's my real question?
All diagnosis and treatment of medical conditions in the UK undertaken by the NHS is based on NICE guidance. This includes approval and use of medication. There is NICE guidance coverning acute and chronic heart failure. If you go to the NICE site and search for heart failure you will find guidance which is intended for use by people who have recently been diagnosed as well as health care professionals.
Thank you I will look at that
There were news items very recently to the effect that Ozempic could be a game changer for those with heart conditions in the same way that statins are believed to be. It sounded like early days yet though.
I suspect Heart Failure would be off label usage at this point (I doubt if it has regulatory approval for that - and that could be years away). However, it's probably still possible for that to happen. However, it would be very cutting edge and would probably need your cardiologist to believe in the medical rationale.
its not 'off label' use for heart conditions its only to help heart patients or anyone else lose weight. Its benificial effects for heart patients is weight loss pure and simple. Obesity is a major factor in heart problems and is often increased by heart patients being less able to exercise and heart meds, particularly beta blockers tending to increase weight gain and strain on the heart.
The findings are new and the NHS operates slowly, and there are supply issues with the drug so it will be awhile before this begins to be offered as a treatment - if it does as at all.
it’s hasn’t passed all the protocols for this yet I believe. Fingers crossed that it will be soon but as with every med there are side effects unfortunately
has your husband had a pacemaker fitted xxxx
No he had a Defibrillator fitted 4 years ago.
I have had heart failure for 15 years , I have a cardio resych devic fitted and was recently started on dapagliflozin, the diabetic drug , now hailed for heart failure.
My meds include 12 mg Bisopropol,( for 12 years ) digoxin etc…, I lead a full and active life , as a fundraiser .
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