feeling confused.... again..

[lizzie1986]

so after initially thinking I had a heart attack in november at 31 my arteries were found to be clear in an angiogram. they then diagnosed myocarditis which I was hopeful would clear over time with no lasting damage. I have since had an mri scan and now I'm told I have left ventricul systolic dysfunction and that the probable cause was a blood clot causing a heart attack. I feel mentally I'm back to square one and feel like a ticking time bomb again. I see the consultant next month and he is going to suggest more tests... I'm just trying to hold it together until then. anyone know what I'm looking at long term with lvsd, I'm told it's not too severe .

[laura_dropstitch Heart Star]

Part of my diagnosis is moderate-severe LVSD. I've never fully understood that aspect of it, but can say that I'm showing no signs of deteriorating six-plus years on from diagnosis, treated with medication and a CRT-D device. Hopefully that reassures you a little until you get some definitive answers. Hope that happens soon. Nobody has any idea what caused my heart issues either and that used to frustrate me so much. I was a bit like you, going for tests that they expected would reveal one thing, but finding something else. They never did get to the bottom of it. Now it doesn't bother me so much (though I'd love to know) and I can kind of accept that my heart is the way it is and work with that. I do feel your pain though. Much love x

[mandm65]

I am not fimilar with your condition so unable to coment but wishing you all the best, stay positive, we are here to help.

[BHF_Nurse_Maureen BHF Nurse]

Hi Lizzie. Thanks for getting back in touch. It's hard to be given yet more information about your heart and for it not to be what you were expecting. LVSD means that your left ventricle (one of the main heart chambers) is not pumping as well as it used to. There are varying degrees of how this can affect people and some people have no symptoms at all. The goal of treatment will be to reduce the workload of your heart and hopefully once you are on the right treatment you will start to feel better physically and emotionally. As Laura says, people can live with this condition for many years and you should be given more information by the consultant at the next appointment, including why they are doing more tests and what are your treatment options. Do give our Helpline a call if you'd like to talk it through with a Cardiac Nurse. All the best, Maureen.