Chamberpot

[Chamberpot]

Has anyone had severe breathlessness? I have had heart failure for over a year now, and I had a pacemaker fitted on 16th October last, then a change to my blood pressure tablet from Ramapril to Entresto. After a few weeks I became breathless, and developed atrial fibrillation again, so went back on to Ramapril, as the heart failure team suggested. The next step is a Cardioversion which is on 8th February. I am worried because I have never been so out of breath with any exertion, getting up from a chair, bending down, even walking from one room to the next. Up until a year ago I was able to walk around 4 miles with my walking group and was quite active. Has anyone else had symptoms like this? Any tips on how I can feel better?

[etheral]

Hi, don't know what meds you're on, but continuing the Entresto and adding a diuretic such as Lasix may help. Getting your afib under control would result in a major improvement in your cardiac output. Hopefully the CV will work and your EP will prescribe drugs to keep you in NSR. Best etheral

[jeanjeannie50]

I've had exactly what you're feeling, where it's an effort to walk from one room in the house to the next.

From what I recall my heart rate was only about 125-30ish but was stuck there for weeks on end. However, it was discovered that I had an underactive thyroid as well (caused by taking Amiodarone) and a cardioversion and taking pills to rectify that put me right again. Don't go thinking that you'll be stuck the way you are now for ever. Have you had a blood test to check your thyroid? The exhaustion is the most horrible feeling and anything I did caused it. I remember kneeling in the garden trying to weed the border and I'd dig the trowel into the earth 3 times and then have to stop and go indoors.

Really feel for you as it's an awful experience.

Jean

[Buffafly]

I suggest you post in the BHF forum as well as they probably have more experience of heart failure. I felt very ill last year with persistent AF and it took me several months to recover so as Jeannie says, don’t think you are stuck with your symptoms. As you already have a pacemaker, has ablation of AV node been mentioned should the CV not work? Best wishes ❤️‍🩹

[Tricia239]

I had an AV node ablation last October and I have been quite breathless since. Shortly after the procedure I got the dreadful bug that was doing the rounds and had the worst cough I have ever had - it lasted about 3 weeks, so I don’t think that helped. I am currently having lots of tests and will have an echocardiogram on 20 February. Meanwhile I am suffering just like you and it’s very frustrating and somewhat worrying. If I learn anything helpful I will let you know. The first concern seems to be fluid retention. And for a reason I can’t understand or work out, my GP asked if I still have my ovaries; I have and so he wants me to have a blood test to check if they are retaining fluid - I don’t understand how a blood test would reveal that. Good luck and let me know how you get on. Best wishes.

[TracyAdmin Partner]

Hello - thank you for your post and sharing your recent experiences with us. Breathlessness is one of the most common symptoms associated with AF and heart failure, and can be debilitating if you are attempting to go about your daily routine. The Cardioversion is a procedure performed to 'reset' your heart back into sinus (normal) rhythm, if you would like to find out more information, please visit the AF Association webpage: heartrhythmalliance.org/afa... or download the 'Cardioversion' information sheet; api.heartrhythmalliance.org...

If you prefer to contact one of our Patient Services Team, please feel free to call 01789 867502 or email us on heartrhythmalliance.org/afa...

Kind regards

Tracy

[marcyh]

I don't have heart failure but with "fast AF" I am "severely symptomatic." I am so short of breath I can't function, I collapse. I have to stay in a recliner or in bed and take my rhythm control med asaap. After a couple of hours and a third med, I normally convert. I get short of breath at other times as well, leaning over for sure. My EF is still in range.