the blood test I had proves I have heart failure as well as Afib. I’ve to have a cardiac MRI and I’m terrified. Any positive vibes?
heart failure: the blood test I had... - Atrial Fibrillati...
heart failure
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Mowgli44
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From what I pick up on British Heart Foundation forum and this one, the term “heart failure” is a scary term for a condition that can be controlled if not reversed. It’s good if they’ve picked it up in good time. It needs a new name to fit the treatment and advice now available.
In French and other languages they refer to 'cardiac insufficiency' which is much more accurate and less scary. Everybody with AF has a degree of cardiac insufficiency in the literal sense. AF can also produce very high NT Pro-BNP readings which are used as an indicator for 'heart failure' but these can also be 'false' readings as AF can generate the same indicator in the blood. With AF the heart is of course often struggling to function properly. So nobody should jump to conclusions prior to speaking to the cardiologist.
A much better description!
Not sure if you are scared about a diagnosis or having the MRI?
My husband has heart failure, diagnosed in 2018, his ejection fraction is now normal. At 90 he is still relatively strong and active although tires easily these days.
Heart failure is a horrible term which scares many people but what it actually means is that the heart is not pumping oxygenated blood around the body effectively so the medics need to know why so they can treat - hence the MRI.
Hope it goes well.
Thank you CDreamer. I had a feeling you would reply! I am concerned about the MRI as I have a severe cough and lying on my back in a tube (and yes I am also claustrophobic) I wonder how I will cope. This seems to have hit me out of the blue as I thought the cough was a hang on from Covid. I knew I had LVH from years of undiagnosed high BP. It was a comment to my GP while having a medication review that prompted her to do the BNP blood test. It was a shock it was so high. She prescribed empagliflozin yesterday while I’m waiting to be referred to the HF clinic who initiate the cardiac MRI. I was also diagnosed with Afib 2 years ago at 78. I’m annoyed that the echo was vague due to my BMI and feel I’ve let myself down. I’m also a widow and full time carer for my daughter (which I wouldn’t have any other way)
Make sure you tell the radiographers how concerned you are about the coughing and staying still as they will be very used to patients who are worried. An MRI scan is the gold standard so do see if you can manage this.
I know what you mean about coughing - I have a skin cancer on my nose tip and had to go for a biopsy when I was recovering from recent dose of pneumonia and still with dreadful cough - I managed to suppress it whilst they were doing the biopsy by sucking a sugar free, blackcurrant lozenge. Hope all goes well and let us know how you get on.
I was 58 when I was diagnosed after years of high blood pressure and palpitations my Gp never seemed to take seriously. I was shocked and it really made me feel faint when I was told. Like you I can't stand the MRI machine and feel I can't breath etc while in it. But now at 66 and with a good cardiologist I feel better than I have for years even though I have lost some of my energy and get tired easily I feel in myself I'm lucky to be in good hands at last. I'm hoping the shock will pass as it did with me and with a supply of medication you too will soon feel miles better. Honestly I felt like I'd been kicked in the guts when diagnosed but it passes..it really does xx
I am very claustrophobic and have had a couple of MRI scans in the past. A radiographer told me to close my eyes immediately before I went in the ‘tunnel’ and keep them closed until I was back out. This worked very well for me, and I felt brave enough to open my eyes as I was being moved out. My curiosity overcame me ! The resulting view wasn’t so scary as although it was enclosed, there was pleasant ambient lighting and it felt as though I was lying rather near the ceiling of an aircraft - but in first class 😄 Also, in some circumstances your GP can give you a sedative to take beforehand, but of course this would depend on your condition and existing medication. Worth asking. Do please have the scan because it will give your medical team a lot of info. Good luck.
Annie
Thank you Annie
I've had sedation several times for an MRI
You won’t be in it for long- a little meditation or thoughts of things you enjoy and you’ll soon be out of it.
Reassuring words from CDreamer.
Shut your eyes before going into the scanner and don't open them again until you are out. It's worked for me twice. I think I was given a bell to push if needed.
Jean
Thank you Jean. I’m just worried about coughing
It's scary but like many have said heart failure is manageable and you can live a long life with it. When I go in the MRI I shut by eyes, wear headphones and listen to music and imagine I'm on beach somewhere. The Radiographer can talk to you through a 2 way communication system and they will tell you what's going on and roughly how long it will take. You also have a button to press if you need their help. They can see you through a camera too.
I think I may have had the same blood test as you (BNP). My result was1100. My GP wasn’t that impressed, apparently that sort of level is common in 24/7 AF which I have.
I’ve had several MRIs. None were a problem since I had had advanced warning of the clanking noise the scanner makes. Good luck, you’ll be fine.
Thank you.
I was diognosed with Heart failure over a year ago ,my cardiologist said it was caused by many many years of afib.
The drug you've been put on empagliflozin will help enormously just keep going with it as initially it can make you feel nauseas but it will pass and helps with that cough and feeling breathless.
The MRI scan is no problem I didn't bother with music it didn't block out the sound of road works but it's not uncomfortable just try to relax and think of the weeks menue for dinners time will fly
hi there,
I had this procedure just a few weeks ago and the scanner used was an 'open' one. Only part of me was in it and nothing like the tunnel thing I'd been in before. I was more concerned about the cannula being put in as I have an awful needle phobia, and even that was done quickly and without any hassle.
You'll be fine, as others have said, just close your eyes and think beautiful thoughts!
take care
Blue 
Take a deep breath. It is not the end of the world as it sounds especially if you a blood test to discover it. Heart failure can be somewhat reversible. I don’t know what else you’re dealing with how far you are with treatment. I just want you to know that when my heart failure was discovered my ejection rate was 40, which is pretty low. Because of the previous surgery, extremely botched, I could have no more ablations pretty was help me except a pacemaker because I suffering from tachycardia for so long at a constant rate. I did not realize I had it even at the first onset of a fib and flutter. My first warning was waking up on the floor face down, breaking my teeth and more. not thinking clearly I decided to go back to bed then I woke up on the bathroom floor on my back my head between the tub and toilet only God could have saved me from what could easily have happened to me that night because I still went to bed and did not see the doctor for two days I am still here.
Because I have quite a scarred mess for a heart thanks to the previous I’m not even gonna go there about him supposed to be a rockstar at a top hospital in the world not just this country. I could not walk if I stood up the pain in my chest instantly made me cry I could not breathe. I could not do anything a living being should do and to even try to get down the hallway to the bathroom, I would almost again.
February 13, 2023 was the beginning of my new life that I got another chance to live again. I had an implant of a special pacemaker made for me because one did not exist. I had my not the same as doing for a fib on your heart in case you’re wondering.
here I’m hoping to give you words of hope and positivity. I was able to get out of the wheelchair to walk and get into the car to go home. FYI, those are two separate surgeries two weeks apart. My failure ejection rate has gone from 40 to 7070 good even for someone without heart failure.
When I first heard the word heart failure my mind instantly prepared for death, but my EP took my hand and told me I’m not going anywhere. He’s got me. Here I am, and as of now barring any unforeseen anything, the most I should need is a battery change eventually just like an old car we need maintenance to keep us running. I was dead set against a pacemaker. FYI, I did not have a choice. You sound like you’re at the beginning of a journey so listen to your doctor and see what he advises. There are new and so many other things nothing is one-size-fits-all so you will be patient and you will have to get to know your body so you know what you’re feeling without being afraid. Not everything is heart related that you feel. there is a big learning curve, but you’re gonna be OK. Don’t get into it too deep learn about your a fib and You are not gonna be performing surgery. What you need to do is get to know yourself. Eventually, find things that will trigger your a fib lol for me. It’s fast almost like an ice cream but I get it in my chest. If we go out to eat, I plan on bringing half home no matter how good it is or how hungry I am because if I eat it all, I am going to feel a fib or flutter before I get to the car. A glass of sangria can also trigger me. Make sure you take care of your mental health one of the biggest things with and my EP was my anxiety level. I’ve had medication to take as needed. My EP said I more than I think and he was right.. don’t be afraid to talk to your doctor about things like that it is really connection is very important things like
so remember, I don’t know if you have tachycardia or Brady what my heart needed was rest because I had been living with a heart rate around 200 or higher for the six months following the bad surgery and I had tachycardia before that. My EP said my heart and I cannot handle anymore. That was the point of the pacemaker it took over the work and got my heart beating the way it should. It is now in charge because of the AV node ablation there have been ups and but overall I tell you how good I feel. I don’t have the same stamina, but I’m also that much older. I’m 72 now and my had really been beaten up. Be good to keep checking your numbers or you will make yourself crazy. That was an order from my EP. He’s not a believer in any gadgets. according to him, I can pretty much do just about anything anyone else can do. Obviously being sensible I’m not gonna join Cirque du Soleil and other things like that, but I don’t have to be afraid of living. If you’re afraid all the time that’s not living. up to your doctor, but you should be able to do anything you want once it gets controlled.
feel free to reach out. I’m not on here much. I’m pretty busy these days because I can be and someone dumped three precious puppies on us where I live so we are taking care of them along with a small colony of that came with the house while we are trying to get them all spayed and neutered. We are dealing with litters and litters and sadly loss quite often so it keeps me busy. It’s good to care and worry about someone else instead of dwelling on ourselves.
big hugs talk to your doctor do what you’re told don’t mess with things. It took him a long time to be able to do what he does if something doesn’t feel right then reach out. Don’t be afraid to tell them it could be simply a change in medication or dosage and don’t let anyone keep giving you tons of ablations or anything else like that. The odds of getting an a fib spot is tiny It’s also a big money maker. my EP was not always popular. He doesn’t believe in continuing to use things that fail he thinks outside of the box because he believes in quality of life no matter what our age. That being said they do try and they have different styles now, such as pulsed field. In other words, they aren’t all bad, but ask questions don’t get blown off. My horrible surgery was at DeBakey cardiology. That does not mean they aren’t any good there because they are incredible. I just got a bad egg. Fyi I cannot say enough good about the hospital team and staff there and how I was treated sometimes you get a Doctor who has an ego that is just too big. The majority of them put so much into saving us and I can never think my EP enough for what he did. Because of him I can take my 69 pound dog out I can play with the puppies who are getting bigger every day and many more things. I never thought I would be able to do again.
Great reply 🙂
I too am in so called heart failure and when given the diagnosis I was very worried and put my house is order, so to speak, 2 years later still going, medication helps and self awareness. I cannot have an MRI as I have an old pacemaker due for battery change shortly , not looking forward to that, but I understand that they are very noisy hence the headphones. Remember the technicians know what they are doing and will ensure your safety at all times, it's just another step in your A/F journey, good luck xx
Never knew that it is possible to detect AF with a blood test. Which measurement and values point to AF, please?
Don’t worry: in many cases heart failure is reversible!
There isn't a blood test for AF. The OP had previously been diagnosed with AF.
Paul
The OP wrote: “the blood test I had proves I have heart failure as well as Afib”, so I presumed there had been a criterion in the test that showed the presence of AF. That would be interesting!
I don’t know if there is one specifically for a fib. Somehow I don’t think so however, there is a blood test where they can tell if you have had any type of a heart attack or damage because I just had one in the last few months. It is just a starting point at least it was for me because of the symptoms I was exhibiting still not sure why because they ran my pacemaker report right up until the morning of and from when it was hooked up after the AV node ablation. My EP is young and Humble and very with it. He’s low-key, but when he saw the report, he was glowing. He was so happy about what he was looking at and said there are people without heart issues that wish that they had what I have showing. My heart failure did was finally given a chance to rest because it was caught at the right time. Another few months it would’ve been a different story.
every day a new things coming out so you can’t say that something does not exist and we do get overwhelmed at times. In the beginning, I was quite the pest trying to understand all. Now I find I should take a deep breath and think before I make my phone calls lol having the support of my phone app as well as the device clinic and technicians and engineers with what is an incredible invention gives me a chance to live my life again
what I have did not exist until my doctor was actually in there figuring out what he could do to save my life so no one knows everything that and you may not hear about everything. My EP presented my case in Dallas. We are in Texas FYI. The hospital in that he come and teach the AP doctors there so they could save more lives like he did mine. Yes it’s not an exaggeration. It’s real and you may never read about me but my doctor calls me unique as does my technician lol I have been called worse lol I am alive the time I feel healthy
I had a cardio MRI a couple of years ago and it was very straightforward. Only the top half of me was in the machine and I was fitted with a microphone and headphones. They played music, which didn't mask all of the sounds of the machine but it helped. With the microphone I was able to talk to the technicians anytime during the proceedings and they talk to me. I had a stress test performed whilst I was in there so was in for a while. I found the best way was to try and relax, easier said than done I know, and think about pleasant mundane things to just let it pass.
Best of luck and I hope it all goes well for you.
I have heart failure and AFib. My ejection fraction (rate of blood pumped out) is very low at only 25% when normal is, I believe, over 50. That said, I am still playing tennis 5 times a week, taking long walks, running up and down stairs, and leading a relatively normal life, medication side effects aside (there are plenty). It is a frightening diagnosis but the symptoms can be manageable with the right drugs and there are plenty of things you can take at home too (such as ubiquinol) to help improve heart energy.
Last time I had a cardiac mri there was a hole in the machine just above my head to one side and I was able to look out at a wall with a floral scene, which made me feel a bit better. I get very claustrophobic so was really dreading the procedure, like you.
i notice on my notes at the gp surgery it says in big red letters heart failure. 2 years on im ok. I had a stress mri and it was fine, they were talking about being able to shorten the time it takes to do so hopefully that’s happened !
After a successful cardioversion that can "reset" AF. You may well bounce back to a good level where the heart failure is back to a normal healthy heart levels. Heart failure is a broad term. There's levels to it and everyone is different. There's lots of treatments that can help the heart become stronger than before..
my circumstances are different .. I do not have AFIB but was diagnosed with heart failure …ejection fraction was 44 per cent normal between 55 and 70… at that moment I started swimming pool laps every second day and my rate went up to 63 …. Over a one year period ..No AFIB so that may make a difference …
There are various kinds of heart failure, some reversible, some not. The phrase refers to the heart's ability to maintain a constant and sufficient output. The word "failure" means that it is not doing so over time, but the amount can be very small. Also, unless you had an echocardiogram in the past, the doctors will not know your normal heart output (called its ejection fraction, or EF). Anything between 50-65% is deemed "normal". It’s when it keeps going down that medical help and, likely, treatment are needed.
I have read that all forms of HF are far better treated these days compared even with ten years ago and the outlook is better than ever. My friend has it along with COPD and, with treatment, he is well and his EF has returned to a reasonably normal life.
You are unlikely to smoke or vape, but you should try to stop (my friend still does!); keep your weight to what is considered healthy, and exercise daily by walking, including a hill - again, if advised as safe to do.
I gather it is very hard for a doctor to have certainty about the future course of HF and the blood tests will help confirm it. The cause needs to be ascertained as far as can be done, so the cause itself can be addressed. The MRI, which will include an injection to test your heart's reaction to and recovery from stress is said to be the gold-standard scan. It is utterly safe and painless, with no radiation and nothing to feel, only hear. You will wear a pair of headphones to hide the noise of the magnetic impulses (a boom-boo and drumming type sound among others). The injection to simulate exercise will be near the end, if I recall. The injection is painless but the effects can feel disturbing briefly. My first didn't, my second did and I went hot and rather faint feeling.
During the scan, keep as still as you can whenever you are asked to hold your breath and it will be over much more quickly. If you do move, the technician will need to repeat that part of the scan, lengthening the time taken. They will not repeat the stress test so if that fails, it's bad luck. Keeping still is the key.
Best wishes!
Steve
thank you all. This group is amazing
hi mow. My sister in law was diagnosed with heart failure 2 years ago. Untreated high blood pressure and also discovered AFIB and some enlargement! Since diagnosis she’s taken meds and on latest tests and scans she no longer has failure. She also looks a lot better in herself and tells me she has more energy and feels alot better. She wouldn’t win any marathons but at 70 she’s doing well 👍
What kept me relatively calm was a reassuring radiographer who told me Not to worry as we can stop and move you out of the scanner at any time and then make another appointment I have no idea why but it felt as if I had some control over the situation It did help had the scan I was fine
I had exactly the same 20 months ago. Terrified the life out of me. Googled Heart Failure and that was even worse. What it meant in my case was the AFib was effecting the efficiency of my heart as a pump which is measured by what's known as the ejection fraction. This is the volume of blood being squeezed out with every beat. They assign it a percentage number which in my case was below 50%, which is classified as in heart failure mode. Not surprising as my beating pattern had been described by one of the EP's as totally chaotic. Normal is 55% to 70% by the way. In my situation it was the AFib that was causing the low EF reading, but you can have heart failure with a normal EF reading e.g. if you have certain types of coronary heart disease. My beating pattern and BPMs sprung back to normal as soon as I started taking Amiodarone prior to my ablation and with it my EF. It has remained there ever since. If you have a very high rate but with a regular beating pattern, your EF is often not affected initially, but your heart slowly starts to wear out quicker beating at such a high rate. Which is why first defence medications are usually aimed at reducing the BPMs and not the beating pattern.
Do you know what the reading for your blood test was? I had a slightly high reading so was sent for an ECHO (not an MRI) and was then treated for heart failure. However when I finally saw a cardiologist, he reassured me that I do not have heart failure! So I’m just saying don’t assume you have it unless a cardiologist tells you after the MRI that you do. And if you do, the medication is very effective so you can look forward to improving.
I’m also very claustrophobic when it comes to having a MRI. I explained to one of the techs how claustrophobic I was and he gave me a wash cloth and put it over my eyes before they put me there and didn’t remove it til I was out. I was surprised how much this helped me. Now I always bring one with me when I have a MRI.
I was diagnosed hf and cardiomyopathy 2yrs ago after being admitted after having my flu jab (never again). Diagnosed with afib 5yrs ago after ending up in icu for 10 days with covid like symptoms. According cardiologist not related. Been on highest dose of entresto for nearly 18months ef started off at beginning at 38 % on echo had a recent mri and now say it's 29% even after loosing alot of wieght. Feel better off the entresto than on but bin told I must carry on. Told 6 months they was sending me for genealogy tests to see if it inherited only to be told at my appointment last month the same thing again as they still not referred me& also want to fit a implantable defib.
News like this is unfamiliar. So yes you will be terrified. AF can be treated.
My mum was diagnosed with Heart Failure HFpEF last year. It was tough news to hear.
There are Vasilidator treatments that can support heart failure. People do live with Heart Failure.
Give yourself time to tea etc news in and pick yourself up and keep going. Ask the questions you are not alone.
Heart failure can be managed. HF and Afib can go hand in hand with it. Once the Afib is succesfully managed heart failure can often be reversed. Wait until you get your scan. You don't outline how they intend to manage your Afib?...Case in point. On my scan they found my heart output ( Ejection Fraction ) was reduced from normal due to the Afib, so its function was impaired. My cardioversion in February put me back into NSR and my repeat scan showed my Ejection Fraction had returned to normal...Keep us updated, and all the very best to you!!
I thought my Afib was well controlled but perhaps not as well as I thought. I’ve had LVH for years. My symptoms mentioned to my GP (at my medication review) were this cough and perhaps slightly out of breath. She then did the blood test which was incredibly high and then the echo which wasn’t very clear hence the MRI. i was shocked. Thank you for your good wishes
I was diagnosed with heart failure after an echocardiogram. I had a low ejection fraction and I went into panic mode after I saw my GP who was veryy gloom and doom.
Phone call to grandson who is a doctor and trainng to be a GP. Nana stop panicking . Your heartjust isnt working as well as it was . He calls it heart iinsufficiency. He explaine d about medication to me and I said I was haivng a heart MRI and I get very stressed in confined spaces. Again told not to worry.
I was fine having mine. Light bright room, the scanner was light and bright and the staff lovely.
I am now on medication and I am another echo in December to see if things have improved.
The ony thing I i have stopped doing is year round sea swimming. I found it more difucult to control my breathing and decided to stop. I am hoping my EF will have improved so I can go again.
I
Are you on one of the new drugs?
I have an mri annually to monitor another condition, it's not comfortable of course but you have a beeper in your hand and if you need them to stop press it and they will. I sing various songs in my head as a slight distraction and keep eyes shut all through. Best wishes, you can do it.
My mum has had AF for many years and has heart failure, she is 96 now!
That’s encouraging!
Investigate D-Ribose. A supplement. Many people, including physicians, use it to improve and reverse heart failure. Also investigate the teachings of Dr. Joel Wallach on the Internet who uses supplementation to reverse heart failure. He claims that it is caused primarily by a B1 deficiency.
Thank you I’ll take a look
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