Heart Failure

[Dastardly]

Hi there.

I have permanent AF and suffer a lot with breathlessness. Currently, I am taking 120mg Adizem (Diltiazem) per day. After developing oedema twice over the past few months, my GP has referred me to the Heart Failure Clinic and is also arranging another eho. My last echo 2 years ago showed a dilated left atrial and I think the EF was about 58%.

I suppose I should say that my GP gave me a series of blood tests, one of which was the NT-proBNP which measures how well the heart is pumping the blood round the body. My reading was 3682 when the range was 400-2000 ng/L.

I'm just wondering what to expect from the HF clinic. I am not overly concerned as I am 6 years along with stage 4 (terminal) prostate cancer so am well aware that the health service does like to over-dramatise diagnosis.

Anyway, thanks in advance for any advice.

[Cavalierrubie]

Hi Dastardly,

Sorry to hear that you having to deal with such a lot on your plate at the moment. I am sure there will be members come along who will probably help more than l can.

Heart Failure is a scary term and it just means that your heart is not quite pumping as it should. I am sure the Heart Clinic will be able to help with better and stronger medication, or perhaps it’s time to have a pacemaker? I know several members on here who have said they are much better for having a pacemaker. If the time comes for myself, l wouldn’t hesitate to go down that route.

Perhaps you would also get more help by going on the BHF forum, because you are definitely not alone with this.

l wish you well and hope the treatment for your cancer is keeping it at bay. I hope you don’t have to wait too long for your appointment and that you are well looked after. Take care.

Chris.

[Dastardly in reply to Cavalierrubie]

Many thanks Cavalierrubie.

I might try the BHS forum, but I really wanted to come at this from the AF viewpoint. It seems to me that my heart is not pumping my blood around the body as a direct result of the AF affecting the SA and AV nodes. In effect, my heart has been failing for some time because of it.

Anyway, I guess I'll just wait and see what happens next. I quite like the idea of a pacemaker if that's what it comes down to. What I don't need is lots of new drugs with their ever worsening side effects.

Thanks and take care.

[Cavalierrubie in reply to Dastardly]

It really does sound as if pace and ablate is for you, but l am not a medic.

I think some will come along on here and be most helpful, but lots on BHF forum also have AF.

Take care.

[mav7]

Not a doctor, but Diltiazem can cause fluid build up which is not good for your oedema. Talk to your doctor about a possible change.

I'm just wondering what to expect from the HF clinic

As mentioned, best to ask in the BHF forum. The echo will provide the best info for the path forward.