CHF

[Reece1977]

So this week i have been diagnosed with chf with an EF of 20%. I didnt have any symptoms and have just started a new job. The doctors look at me a little bewildered and it scares me. Im convinced im going to die. Im 41. Im in hospital awaiting a cardio mri. Im hoping the echocardiogram was wrong. Does it get better with medication?

[Pommel]

Hello reece, sorry to hear about your diagnosis, and that you're in hospital... I didn't realise I was so ill when I was diagnosed just over two years ago with a very low EF but I realise now what my symptoms are. They're just not typical. I did a similar thing with work too and said to the nurse who'd just done an echocardiogram that I was planning to go off to work with a 65 mile commute, I think she thought I was mad! In answer to your query, it does get better with the meds! After six months my EF increased from 10% to 25%,then at a year I was at 40%. The MRI will help find out what has caused the problem and the best way to treat it. It's early days yet and there's a lot of people on this site in a similar place. I didn't know about this site then and I think it helps to hear about improvements from others. Advice is not to research on Google, it does not give an accurate picture! Let us know how you get on x

[chrisbattle]

Hi Reece, sorry to hear about your troubles. I was diagnosed in August with Dilated Cardiomyopathy with and EF of 15%. Had a echo last week, and my EF is now 35%.

you can call the nurses at BHF or Cardiomyopathy.org and talk to them. I found them very reassuring and a mine of information.

Best wishes and stay positive!

Chris

[stevejb1810]

A lot will depend on the why and wherefore behind your HF and low EF, but generally the drugs can and do help. An EF is 20% isn't great but the thing to be aware of is that a good EF would only be around 55% so its not that your EF has fallen 80%. It'll take time but there is definitely reason to be hopeful. Stay positive and take the meds

[capbiker]

Reece

What you haven't said is what is the course of your Heart Failure.

I am 39 years old, and was admitted to hospital with pnuemonia. To be told that I had heart failure too almost 3 years ago now. My EF was less then 15%.

Unfortunately the echocardiogram, some of the EF readings compared to an MRI can be slightly different. But not enough to give a false heart failure reading. If it is 20%.

My heart failure was coursed by a virus attacking my heart. Because of this, then doctor's managed to treat the virus. And put me onto a lot of medication. Now my EF is back to high 40%, and I am living more and less normal life.

Yes I do get tried easily still, if it's been a busy day. And I do find that if I am under the weather, it takes me a bit more longer then before to shake it. But I am more unless am back to normal.