Terrified

[Florence-Nightingale]

As per my previous post I’ve recently had lots of blood tests due to being tired all the time. I rang to see if the results were in and have been told the GP has referred me to Cardiologist for an echocardiogram. I hope to speak to GP in the morning subject to getting a telephone consultation. I have this awful feeling they will say I’m in heart failure as I am aware permanent AF can lead to this. Am freaking out!!

[Paulbounce]

Hi FN.

Don't be scared as it's most likely standard procedure. I've had one and have to have another in about 4 - 5 weeks time. First of all there's nothing to it - totally painless. Am I worried ?

Nah not one bit.

It's just standard practice before my CV. I think (I assume you are taking your med's everyday) you'll be fine. Just because you have to have an echocardiogram does not mean you are suffering from heart failure. They are are just checking your heart out to play on the safe side.

Don't be terrified - please report back when you have had it and I think you'll find everything isn't half as bad as you think.

Paul

[Florence-Nightingale in reply to Paulbounce]

Thank you Paul. I am not afraid of the procedure have had one about seven years ago, but I am worried about being in heart failure, it just sounds so final to me.

[Paulbounce in reply to Florence-Nightingale]

Hi FN.

We all worry about being in afib - it's just normal and human nature. However most of our concerns turn out to be nothing at all. Even if you are there are treatments and medicines that will help you lead a normal life - it's not final at all.

Easy for me to say I know but please stop having so much anxiety about this. The odd's are on your side. See what others have to say and enjoy the rest of your evening.

Good luck with it - as said in my last post the chances are it won't be half as bad as you think. I can't promise anything but I feel you'll be just fine.

Give the anxiety the boot and see what your cardio say's after you have had the echogram.

Best,

Paul

[Florence-Nightingale in reply to Paulbounce]

Thank you Paul.

[Bagrat]

We health profs retired or otherwise are the worst for jumping to conclusions! Overthinking will give you more symptoms than any physical diagnosis and change nothing. Believe me I know as I am the over thinking long retired queen.

Really good you are getting an echo as then your treatment can be planned appropriately.

Are you into mindfulness or meditation? just a thought as the mind body connection is so strong.

I do feel for you, waiting for tests and results is very stressful.

[Florence-Nightingale in reply to Bagrat]

Thank you x

[JOY2THEWORLD49]

Hi

Controlled H/R and AF does not shorten your life Flo...

It means you need to take care of yourself.

It could be an infection, inflammatory part of your body.

They will sort it.

Take care and don't stress.

cheri. JOY

[Florence-Nightingale in reply to JOY2THEWORLD49]

Thank you but there was something in my bloods that’s prompted GP to refer me. May find out more tomorrow Joy.

[CDreamer]

Heart Failure (whoever came up with that phrase is accountable for causing a mountain of anxiety!) sounds final but it really isn’t and it’s all about degrees. HF is NOT a death sentence it means your heart is not pumping as efficiently as it should - period. The echocardiogram will give some indication to the cardiologist on the best course of treatment for you.

My husband was classified (that’s all the term means - a classification) as in heart failure aged 86. Now coming up for 89 and after being treated by drugs he is no longer in that classification and his quality of life is now much improved and although he’ll never run another marathon, is back in the gym and can walk without getting breathless.

Take heart - in more ways than one……be kind to yourself and be cultivate a positive mind set and most of all - find things that please and pleasure you as joy really does improve our health whilst worry is corrosive to the body.

[Florence-Nightingale in reply to CDreamer]

Thank you I needed that x

[wilsond]

Right. First of all,the term Heart Failure is a complete misnomer ,it should be better described as Heart Inefficiency ..and even that is scary sounding. HF does not mean you are on the wrong side of the grass very soon.

It means for some reason,several possibilities,that something is interfering with the means to get blood pumped at optimum around the body.

There are ways to combat this IF you are in HF,and is quite possible to slow down or vastly reduce the issue.

Please dont think Im dismissing your understandable concerns but if it is what you fear,all is not lost xxx

[Threecats]

Hi Florence,

I’m sorry to hear that you’re so scared and can quite understand it.

As CDreamer and Wilsond have said, the term heart failure is such a horrible one but it’s not as terrifying as it sounds. My mum was hospitalised with heart failure caused by AF she didn’t know she had. I was very upset, as reading about the condition online predicted a very gloomy outcome, However, she was put on meds and was out of hospital and back to buzzing around in a week. She was offered a cardio version but felt so much better on the meds that she declined it. 10 years on she’s still active and keeping me and my brother in order😄 - she’s 87! So please don’t despair, even if you are diagnosed with heart failure, it’s not the end by any means!

All the best to you, TC

[army1]

Hi I think your Dr found nothing on blood test so took the next step of a simple ecg. You take and don't worry

[Florence-Nightingale in reply to army1]

Thank you Amy for your reply it’s not an ECG it’s an Echocardiogram .

[Staffsgirl]

There’s a wealth of great advice above which I would endorse. I can’t offer anything further other than to say many of us experience these anxieties. Unlike Bagrat, I haven’t yet managed to retire from the over thinking club. I hope to, one of these days.

Just do your best not to over think…take care.

[bassets]

try not to worry and do something you enjoy to take your mind off things. It could be something or nothing, but I hope all goes well for you anyway. x

[Ppiman]

Let's hope your GP consultation brings good news as the anxiety must be awful. I suffer anxiety too when health things change, and new symptoms pop up here and there, waiting for scans and bloods. Goodness how I envy folk who are well!

Others have explained about that dreadfully termed condition called "heart failure", which can almost always be dealt with and reversed. It's a poor term if ever there was one.

Steve

[Adalaide2020]

Hi Florence. I think i would be feeling like you but after reading these replies i know i would be a bit happier. Any change in the heart is concerning, only natural. Easy for me to say but please try and relax. Are you up for meditation or yoga? I listen to soothing music most days or inspirational TED talks to stop my imagination taking over.

I wish you well lovely lady. Will be thinking of you 🌻🌻🌻🌻

[Snowgirl65]

The referral is probably standard procedure considering your health history. I hope you find answers soon to ease your mind.

[philologus]

You should change your name to Fluorescence Nightingale (The Lady With The Lamp)😀

I was having thousands of PVCs a day and it eventually caused HF. The heart scan is just to allow them to see if your heart is enlarged and to see what fraction of the contents of your left ventricle are being pumped out with each heartbeat.

They used to simply say what that fraction was, but now they give it a level from one to four.

Mine was four so quite serious. That was five years ago and, thanks to the medication and some sensible lifestyle changes, I have now been discharged as my HF level was two and still falling when I had my last scan and I have been able to greatly reduced my medication.

If you have have had Covid - even mildly- it can lead to Long Covid and that can affect your ticker. I am currently being assessed for this as my PVCs returned a couple of months ago after having mild Covid in February.

Blood test, ECG and X-ray will be done in the next couple of weeks and then I might need a scan.

As has been said in other posts, it's not as frightening as its name implies. Just think it through calmly and make whatever changes are needed.

[Florence-Nightingale in reply to philologus]

Thank you for your reply philogus . I am fortunate to not have had COVID fingers crossed it remains the case.

[philologus]

Whoops! I forgot to add that Long Covid could explain why you are feeling tired too. I'm the same.