Hi folks just needed to have a chat with you folks, I was feeling quite good today and then I just had a call from heart failure nurse and now I am so scared with impending doom.
I am still in af and heart not functioning well, I have had nucleus test last week. Which I have no idea the outcome and I have an appointment for end of Feb to discuss a treatment plan for af.
I have felt so ill the last few days, just have no quality of life.
She is now trying to get me to have an mri which I know I won’t be able to do as the camera last week pushed me to the limit.
Can anyone offer any encouragement as at the moment I don’t think I will see the year out.
Sorry for post but I know you people are so kind
Many thanks Deb
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Deb1838
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Hi Debs - so sorry you are feeling so I’ll and scared.
Heart Failure means that your heart is not functioning as it should and pumping blood around your body efficiently so you may feel weak, fatigued & not very well.
The good news is that if the AF can be moderated or you can be converted back to NSR then the HF maybe reversed. There are drug treatments which can help strengthen your heart.
My husband had aortic stenosis with persistent AF resulting in HF this time last year. He is a different person this year - 86 tomorrow - he is active, volunteers for 3 organisations & from not being able to see much future Feb 2019 is now planning for an active future again.
Heart Failure in itself can be treated but you may very well need further tests which may include MRI before the most appropriate treatment plan can be implemented so I would urge you to submit to these tests if they are offered as the medical team need as much information as possible in order to treat you appropriately.
Can you tell us what the heart nurse told you? Also, having an appointment at the end of February, in the face of what you just described, seems not so dire? Having an MRI is a step in the right direction because they need this info to diagnose properly. Hang in there. You still have several good options. Last year I was in HF and had a successful ablation. Last week I saw my cardiologist and she tells me that I have aortic stenosis. Doesn't everybody at my age?
This a-fib and heart malarkey is no fun - I know !
Heart problems and anxiety go hand in hand - they really do. I can't add anything else except to say the anxiety WILL pass. I promise you that.
There are effective treatments for a-fib and heart problems. Many people aren't aware they have a heart problem until it's to late - you are - that on it's own is great news. You are going through the worst of it now - it will get easier for sure. Go though it and you'll come out the other end a stronger person.
100% for sure Deb. It's not nice when you get that 'pounding' in your chest or if you worry about a heart problem - you panic ( I know I do!).
I'll tell you what steps I take. I know for sure it won't kill me. I put that firmly in my mind - it will pass. I'm more likely to be beaten to death by a butterfly than it causing a problem. Next step is to try and relax - take a walk / read a book / talk to someone / watch some TV. Whatever it takes.
Your heart rhythm and rate can be controlled with med's. You are already getting there by knowing there's a problem and getting medical attention .
You will be OK - I just know it
Paul
PS - could you talk to your doc about the anxiety you feel about another MRI scan ? I'm sure he / she might be able to help.
The good news is that you are having a really thorough investigation and should soon have a plan going forward. I hope you can phone the heart failure nurse any time so you can tell her if you feel you are deteriorating. I know tests are horrible but if they help to find a suitable treatment they must be worth it.
Heart failure is such a dramatic label - as others have said to you, and many others including me, it simply means that your heart isn't running as efficiently as they'd like. But when you first hear it, it's natural to think "I'm in trouble here" ...
You at least now know to start tests and treatment, many only find out when they suffer a stroke, or worse, so you are in a good place.
And you have the opportunity to look at your own lifestyle, consider alcohol, caffeine, diet, weight, exercise, etc, etc, as appropriate. Having a bit of a scare is a good motivator!
So many people have been where you are today and now live perfectly fine lives, often better than before diagnosis. Good luck and make sure you come back here and tell others how well you're doing, it'll help the next cohort of newbies!
Thank you, I'm currently in hospital very unwell and just been told that I have heart failure. I'm scared stiff so your post has really helped me so much, thank you!
Sorry to hear that, I was in the same situation almost exactly 3 years ago (Fathers Day!). I spent 16 days in hospital and was visited by a very officious British Heart Foundation 'do gooder' who scared the living daylights out of me.... One decent thing she did was to supply a load of leaflets and booklets relating to HF - I read them all, and then researched on the 'net too. Eventually I started to get my head around it, and tentatively went for walks to build up some strength again. The beta blockers were tough to start with, had to sit down for an hour after taking them, but I don't really notice them now, still get a bit tired but played golf today for 4 hours and feel great. Read as much as you can, including this forum daily, ask the docs for their advice, follow all the usual recommendations on diet, weight, alcohol, caffeine etc, and exercise yourself back to fitness. I think the heart is like a muscle, and you can strengthen it. Good luck, and don't panic!
Thanks Peter, I've been crying lots and fearing the worse. Good advice and will hopefully go home soon to start the 'be better' journey. I've read so much scary stuff of google. Glad to hear that your enjoying life. Best wishes, Terri
Hi Terri, see if you can get hold of the BHF heart failure literature - it's well written and easy to understand. Then just clear your mind and reset, start life over again with a fresh approach, make the small changes needed and you'll get stronger and feel better. I know it's easier said than done, but motivate yourself by thinking 'I never want to be in this position again'. Ultimately we all have to get on with it ourselves, other people inc the professionals move on to the next patient. Good luck, Peter
Hello, hope you are feeling a bit more positive now, I understand exactly how you feel as just been diagnosed with heart failure on top of a f .
Also had a bad cold at the same time, went into a f with an aching chest, did not worry too much as had an appointment with Doc the next day, had ecg and trace test. The doc then said my heart was still racing she advised to take another beta blocker when home and another three pm, also to call her if I felt unwell, that’s ok if you can call your doc out of hours.
Woke later in bed unable to breathe, gasping for air chest not rising at all and pains in my chest and shoulders, so like you I was scared witless.
I could barely take a step next day , thought I’d had it. Saw another doc who decreased the beta blockers and advised me I have heart failure, been prescribed Ramipril so far only take one on a daily basis, i do feel slightly better but not better, I am hoping for a more positive outlook soon, the cold is not helping.
Just to let you know you are not alone, that was how I felt until I found this site which gave me encouragement that I will begin to improve.
I also have a pacemaker, does not seem to be doing much though.
Please don’t give in to depression, I know it’s very hard, but keep thinking I’ve got through another day ok.
I am a bit claustrophobic and have insisted on having an open MRI...there really are special MRI machines that are much better for some of us. The nurse scheduling me was most annoyed...but sure enough I had a successful “open mri”. I am in the US but I am sure they are available elsewhere. Good luck.
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