I was diagnosed with HF in December 2019 & haven't worked since. I am currently on furlough until the end of May.
As a HGV driver I had to inform the DVLA of my condition, they sent me a letter last week informing me that you to my LVEF being under 40% they have revoked my HGV licence as of 30th April. Bad news indeed for me job wise.
They also say that they will reach a decision soon about my car license - losing the HGV is bad enough for me, is it normal to lose the car license with HF?
Your car driving licence isn't dependent on your EF but how your condition affects you and how symptomatic you are.
Medication, lifestyle changes, etc can all help to increase your EF. Do you know what you're EF is?
My husbands EF was 30, he's had HF since 2012 & has an ICD fitted.
No I don't know the figure, the last (only) test I had was early December 2019, just says something like High to severe something something according to the heart nurse.
What's an ICD by the way & should I have one? Has your husbands LVEF number increased?
In simple terms an ICD is basically a defibrillator that is implanted into the chest with leads embedded into the heart to deliver a direct shock to restore a natural rhythm in much the same way an external shock is given with paddles. My husband is considered high risk of sudden death & has previously had a cardiac arrest, hence the ICD. I'll post a link at the end of this.
I know of many people who's EF has increased considerably. You may want to look up the patient led charity called Pumping Marvellous, lots of fantastic info there and is 100% correct & up to date. Please don't Google HF, most of the info on the net is false, incorrect or out of date, stick with pumping marvellous, nhs & bhf sites only. You might also consider joining the pumping marvellous closed facebook support group. Lots of help, support and advice there, and I do know that there are hgv drivers who are or have been in the same position as you. Anything, I can help you with, just let me know & I'll do my best.
Hi, I'm not a HGV driver. But I was diagnosed with heart failure nearly 18 months ago now. I classified as severe at the time but with medication and a few life style changes I had improved significantly by December 2019. So, it is possible to improve and probably get your HGV licence back. I never lost my ordinary license.
