Last week I had my annual checkup with my cardiologist. This involved having an echo and then seeing the consultant.
I was happily surprised to be told that my heart is working almost normally, my ejection fraction has gone up from 40% to 55%. I still have moderate mitral regurgitation an enlarged left atrium and moderate aortic regurgitaion and mildly elevated pulmonary artery pressure, but the main thing is that the left ventricular function is improved and almost back to normal.
The mild pulmonary pressure is new to me, but the cardiologist told me it was a much better test result than he expected!
I was so nervous, convinced that they would tell me everything was worse than last year!
Sue B
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woodbon
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Thank you. I know things and go wrong, but it's given me an incentive to keep myself as fit as possible!
Hi that is great to here thanks for sharing the good news, can I ask how long you have had heart failure? I was diagnosed in Feb, dilated cardiomyopathy with severe left ventricle systolic dysfunction! My blood pressure is horrendously low, the pills don't help this at all, my heart failure nurse has referred me back to cardiologist to see what else they can do, I feel so exhausted all the time and at the moment can't see any light at the end of the tunnel, so it was so good to read that mabe I will get a bit better and back to some form of normality, which I never thought would happen, although I know we all have different kinds of heart failure, take care x
Hi Chaz, I have had dilated cardiomyopathy for 19 years. In the initial stages the drugs they put you on do lower your blood pressure a lot. Believe me when I say that you do eventually get used to it. I run around <100/<60 all the time. You do have to adjust, watch when standing up etc. but believe me I have a decent quality of life. You do get used to your new 'normal', ok a cliche, but it is true. Heart treatment has really progressed over the years, and you do have a chance to live a productive life. However, the shock that you have a serious heart disease, and the physical stuff that goes with that, will take time to come to terms with. Hang in there, it will get better and do what your docs recommend. Remember your heart is a muscle, and with dilated cardiomyopathy our left ventricle becomes a bit floppy and doesn't work well, but with rest and the meds we take, it can improve.
My blood pressure is approx 122/58, but it is sometimes higher or a bit lower. It has gone right up to say 140/125, but it never stayed that high for longer than a few hours and during that time I had a racing pulse. Was diagnosed with heart failure about 18 months ago, after a trip to hospital because of chest pain and breathlessness and coughing that suddenly started after doing housework! I do have mitral and aortic regurgitation and mild pulmonary artery pressure, but the main thing is that my ventricular function as improved almost to normal. My cardiologist was pleased and so was I! I hope that your cardo is able to suggest something to help you feel better. I am think it is only natural to feel so low and find it hard to come to terms with. It is a big thing and the loss of the things we used to do is hard to take. I may be in better shape than last year, but their is no garrantee what the future will be from day to day and I still have days when I feel very tired and unable to do much. I really hope things soon start to feel b etter for you. Sue BX
Hello, sorry to take so long to reply! Medication, well I take 5 mg Ramipril, 5mg Bisoprisil (sorry, can't spell it! It's a beta blocker), 25 mg Spironolactone and 75 mg Asprin. This is only a fairly low dose and can go up if I need it, but so far so good! I feel better, I think, I also have leaky mitral and aortic valves but that has improved from 40% to 55%.
As to life style, yes I have changed things a bit. I go to a Yoga class 1 a week and try to walk a little more. Also, I used to have a couple of glasses of wine in the evenings, but I've stopped that but I do still enjoy a drink sometimes. I think about the fat in my diet more and have cut out some of the things like biscuits. This has led to a loss of about 71bs or 81b's in the last year and although I never have been very overweight, I am now on the ideal mark on the chart.
I am aware that things could go back very easily, and I will not be too well again, so I try to live each day as it comes, but again its not always possible! I think I have been lucky!
Thank you everyone for your comments, it's amazing how many replies, I was surprised.
What I want to add is that although things are better than I thought they could be, I have no idea how long it will last, as the cause, (heart valve problems) is still there, responding well, at the moment to the treatment.
I am a nervous person and don't want to count my chickens, if that makes sense. I try to follow the advise given, and I do rest during the day if I start to feel tired. I've also got a fantastic husband, who helps me both physically and mentally. I know lots of people may not have that. He is very positive, with his feet on the ground and also a research biochemist so he understands the medical side of things more than me, even though he worked mainly on plants!
I've also found a book called 'Understanding and dealing with Heart Disease', by Dr Keith Souter, this was recommended to me and I find it very readable, without the 'shock horror' that some have. It covers all the basic heart disease. I'd recommend it especially if you are new and just diagnosed. Sorry for going on so long. Best wishes! xx
Totally understand the not wanting to count your chickens, but still a fantastic result. Where heart failure is concerned, stable is good and any improvement (no matter how small or how long-lasting) is fantastic. It's lovely that so many folks around here are cheered by your good news, so thank you for sharing.
Like you, I'm really lucky in having a super supportive husband (as well as wider family and friends) and it does make such a difference, doesn't it? Sounds as though you really appreciate him.
Hope things stay good for you and thanks for the book recommendation too
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