LVSD diagnosis

[Ronniesue]

Hi everyone, I’ve been diagnosed with LVSD, but with with no other underlining heart conditions. Was offered rehab but decided I wouldn’t really benefit much from it so have declined. On ramipril,bisoprolol,simvastatin,aspirin and low dose furosemide. Just wanted to see if anyone suffering the same condition has any advice or tips as I’m planning to return to work in a few weeks. Anything relating to work, holidays and day to day living. Thanks.

[Shar28]

I spoke with Cardiomyopathy UK today and their nurse told me that LVSD is a description of the effect a condition has had on the heart. So it’s would be, foe example, LVSD caused by dilated cardiomyopathy. Perhaps it’s worth checking with your GP or Cardiology department to see if they can tell you what has caused it?

[Ronniesue in reply to Shar28]

Thanks for the reply. They are thinking maybe a virus because all else seems ok.

[stevejb1810]

Keep taking the drugs, do all the good things for heart health (the usual diet, exercise, alcohol limits, weight, smoking advice). Break yourself in gently, if you can arrange a graduated restart it might be a good idea. If you get tired, rest, nobody is superman/woman despite how they might feel. Enjoy your holidays (be prepared to pay more for insurance), and live your life. 😃

[Ronniesue in reply to stevejb1810]

Thanks for the advice and I’m trying to do all the things you have mentioned. Did a 24 hour Holter test but no results yet.

[Effiecat]

Hi. You say you have not taken up the offer of rehab classes. I wonder if you might reconsider? Before heart problems, worked in a similar health area and wondered if I’d learn much.

I learned lots .... especially from others having gone through similar events, made some v good friends, got fit again, learned when, and when not to call an ambulance! had a wonderful liaison nurse who still answers my questions, years later. It has helped me enormously.

[Ronniesue in reply to Effiecat]

I do keep wondering if I made a mistake in pulling out of the rehab. Sometimes it just feels everything revolves around my health and I wish it wasn’t.

[Lynntaylorsmith]

Hi

We’ve “spoken” on this forum and my husband had severe LVSD and following an MRI it’s now mild ( caused by a virus). We’ve yet to see the cardiologist since he was discharged from hospital however have been under the care of the nurses . We’ve just come back from Berlin ( there four days) we did every walking tour known to man ( covered around 8 miles a day in fact on foot!) he’s like a new man! He was told last time he was able to have a couple of beers with a meal so he had one each night. He is out regularly on his motorbike on sunny days. He’s still off work due to him being a cop on anticoagulants, slight risk there (!) the only “warning” he had from cardiac nurses was sunlight due to him taking amiodarone, which can cause blistering and photosensitivity but even in the very hot sun of Berlin, he wore factor 50 and he was fine. We’ve eased andy into everything easy however he set he felt fantastic after all the walking in Berlin . I think if you introduce yourself gently then all will be well. Good luck with your return to work. I hope your colleagues are supportive. Don’t forget to ask for help if you are struggling. Your health is far more important xx

[Ronniesue in reply to Lynntaylorsmith]

Thanks for your advice. I’ll be glad to try and get back to some normality. It’s hard when every waking thought is about your heart. I’m used to caring for others not the other way around. Still onwards and upwards and hopefully go on holiday in the near future xx

[Lynntaylorsmith in reply to Ronniesue]

Yes well sometimes you have to let others look after you!!! It’s your time now x yes I’m sure you’ll be back to normality soon. Small steps and take each day as it comes. Xx