Severe LVSD - new diagnosis

[Mazza69]

I've been newly diagnosed with Severe LVSD (Stage 4 HF). My echo / ECG has shown:

Sinus rhythm with a LBBB pattern and QRS duration of 164 ms and a ventricular rate of 91 bmp.

Severe LVSD with no ejection fraction documented.

Mild to moderate mitral regurgitation...

This is all a bit surreal! I'm 50 next month and this was only picked up at a pre-assessment for surgery. I was spinning x3 weekly but stopped in December due to exhaustion.

Any advice / guidance would be taken very kindly. I need to know why and what this has happened but the priority I'm told is getting me on the right medication...

[Dolphin14]

What is the plan? Are you in the hospital now?

[Lezzers]

Hi Mazza69, it must be hard to process all that right now but lots of people have come back from where you are, getting the meds right is the key, plus heathy diet & lifestyle. As this was picked up routinely, apart from feeling tired, I'm assuming you've had no other symptoms as such. Under no circumstances should you Google anything, the info will be completely wrong & will just make you feel worse. I would suggest you try the Pumping Marvellous website for info & their closed Facebook page for advice & support. Both the admin at PM & the group are lovely people, you can ask as many questions as you can, someone will know the answer. Assuming you're in the UK, have you been referred to a heart nurse, under NICE guidelines you should be referred if their available in your area. They are fantastic in explaining all the terms, symptoms & how to deal with them etc. They are there for you & can deal with GP's/cardiologist etc.

[Mazza69]

Google scared the life out of me Lezzers – there’s plenty of information but none that I liked! I’ve been very breathless walking up stairs, inclines or when carrying something for a while. I can walk on the flat with no problems (get tired easier than normal though). My ankles get slightly puffy towards the end of the day.

Dolphin 14 – I’ve been back at work for 3 months following major abdominal surgery in January. It was a huge struggle getting life back to some kind of normality – tired from the surgery plus the added bonus of HF. I’m doing ok in fairness, just get tired so easily.

Thank you for your support!!

[Lezzers in reply to Mazza69]

OK, no more googling! The info is either completely wrong, out of date or not applicable to you, I made that mistake!! Can take time to get your meds completely right. The cardiologist is in the process of tweeking my husbands meds as his blood pressure is too low. Tiredness plays a big part in HF, though beta blockers can also make you feel tired. My husband is currently taking part in a study of how tiredness in various medical conditions (HF being one of them) affects your daily life, in the hope they can maybe find an answer to it.

[Mazza69 in reply to Lezzers]

Thank you for responding. My Bisoprolol was increased at my last appointment and definitely knocked my energy levels. The study sounds promising, good for him!

[Lezzers in reply to Mazza69]

Do make your medical team aware of your tiredness, it may simply be a case of getting used to the higher dose or they could change your beta blocker.