Newly diagnosed copd

[wes1966]

I have been recently diagnosed with moderate COPD, my main worry is does this disease always effect your heart....i really would appreciate any advice on the way forward and any help i may be entitled to. Thanks for reading

[Hidden]

Hi no the disease is in your lungs not your heart so it shouldn't be especially affected. If your oxygen level regularly drops below 90 and under 84 specially you might be given oxygen to support your organs. You probably won't need it at the moderate stage though.

As for claiming benefits it's not the disease itself which is important but how it affects you. If you are in the UK you can ring BLF - number under the red balloon at the top as they have benefit advisors there. You can also look at the official Government site direct.gov.uk

I hope this helps. x

[RibvanRey]

Hi Wes and welcome to the Community. Unless you have a pre-existing heart condition I would not worry.

The main things to consider are to stop smoking if you do smoke. Remove yourself from smokey environments. Inc heavy fumes from dodgy Desiel like lorries and buses.

Exercise and diet. The healthier you are the less likely you are to worsen. There are good COPD exercise routines on YouTube. Proper ones. The BLF site did have a print out sheet of the routine but I haven't looked lately as I have my copy.

Following this advise there is a good chance that you will live to the same age as you would if you did not have COPD. Although there is no cure it is not a death sentence either. Keep fit helps keeping infections like bronchitis away. Make sure that you take whatever meds are prescribed for your condition. It is not a case of leaving off the meds until you get really bad because then they will have a better effect. They DON'T work that way. The idea is to take them to prevent your condition worsening.

Plus to cheer yourself up look at the profiles of a few of the regulars here. A great many in their seventies. Many in their eighties and even a few in their nineties.

Hope this helps you. There are always people who can help with specific problems if you have any. Plus BLF have a FREE phone line 9-5 week days so you can talk to a specialist nurse.

Regards, Rib

[katieoxo60]

Sorry Wes1966, read your post and the replies but forgot to welcome you to the site. So hello and hope to speak again with you soon.

[velvet55]

Hello Wes and welcome.

The BLF helpline is fantastic, should you ever need it.

I called the other day and within the hour I was called back by a very informed respiratory nurse, who helped me enormously.

They will also send you all their booklets on COPD if you request them.

I urge you to use this site, and this forum for help, everyone is well informed.

One thing I advise if you are newly diagnosed, do not believe all the doom and gloom you get when you goggle this condition.

Unfortunately, I have just found out that my heart is enlarged due to copd, but I am in the minority, the GP doesn't think this is to serious and will be able to help with More Medication !!!!

Velvet xx

[punkyb]

I say if it concerns you ask the doctor to test you on everything and then you can breath easier. Well at least that is what I did and I am glad of it. So far my test results were AOK. I was like you and worried about the heart so I got an echocardiogram . Welcome to our site and I hope I was helpful.

[Blue22]

I am not aware of COPD affecting the heart. I have had this for some years and have experienced no problems in this direction. Would be interested in other points of view. Keep positive

[Hidden]

Hi

I have very sever copd and bronchiectasis and the problem is the heart can be put under a lot of strain but they do keep an eye on it. As mine is very bad and i need a double lung transplant ive had a lot of heart scans etc.

As yours is moderate its possible for it not to get worse if you take good care of your lungs and your health and that will help your heart too and also use oxygen if your on any.

As for getting any help it all depends on how it affects you rather than what you have......if you cant manage certain things that you use to its possible to get some extra support. x

[wes1966]

Thanks to all for your advice, much appreciated x