Hello, sorry to hear of your sad loss. The left ventricular diastolic function is a measure of the ability of the left ventricle to fill and then pump blood around the body. The measurement is called the EF, ejection fraction. The normal figure is 60 - 65%. As this reduces the heart failure is more severe although people at 30 - 35% sometimes have no symptoms. I suspect your brother had dysfunction, i. e. heart failure. Congestive cardiac failure is when fluid starts accumulating in the organs and pulmonary odema is when it collects in the lungs. I hope this fairly simple explanation is of help.
I am so very sorry for your sudden loss, what a terrible time for you and your family!
*Acute pulmonary oedema - fluid in the lungs sufficient to cause oxygen from being circulated to blood and tissues. It is a common complication of congestive heart failure.
*Congestive cardiac failure - another way of saying 'congestive heart failure' where fluid builds up around the heart and interferes with efficient pumping action.
*Left ventricular diastolic function - are you sure the report said 'function' and not 'dysfunction'? Dysfunction is where the ventricle is unable to bring about a rise to a normal end-diastolic volume sufficient to permit the heart to relax quickly.
At this point it's probably best to ask that of a professional - perhaps printing out the email and seeing if you can get a ten minute (seems short but if you go in well prepared you'll be amazed at how very much can be accomplished) with your GP or primary care provider for your heart condition to discuss the report - and any potential implication for you heart-wise.
I'm not medically trained so should not even try speaking to anything that might have been done or did it happen suddenly.
You might also consider telephoning to the BHF nurses on the Helpline:
0300 330 3322
ETA: also 0300 330 3311
I've never used them as I have an assigned cardiac nurse through my cardiologist but patients and loved ones who have spoken with the nurses say they are amazing. I know they're busy so it may take a bit for them to ring you back if you're not connected immediately but it would be worth the wait.
So sorry to hear your news. Such a shock out of the blue.
Be gentle with yourselves. Hearts are very strange things, and can often power through without giving a hint anything is amiss, and then suddenly things go very wrong, very fast.
I’ve visited the lake where he died.....it is beautiful.
Very picturesque, swans swimming around in pairs, cows and sheep in an adjoining field, a real sense of nature at its finest.
A strange thing happened to him there a few weeks ago.
He was night fishing and was asleep in his bivvy(tent), he had left a small opening via the zip, he woke in the night with something on his face, when he woke properly he discovered it was a robin!!
It had entered through the small opening and it didn’t seem afraid of him when he woke.
It was calm and it then settled on his chest.
Maybe for warmth but I can’t help but think this was a sign 🤷♀️
Hi, so very sorry for your loss. l had a conversation with a Medium years ago. She said Robins and small white feathers are a sign of a guardian angel or the spirit of a deceased loved one. l'm sure that was a sign, when my Dad was dying a young deer stood outside his bedroom window at the nursing home for 90 minutes in the middle of the day l found great comfort from that. l hope you and your family find some comfort at this terrible time. Love Sue x
So very sorry for your loss Carolx, I lost my sister when she was 31. It is so hard to accept & understand why these things happen & then we start thinking of "what if". Tough times ahead for you & your family but you will get through it together & your memories of your brother will help. My condolences to you & your family, massive hugs for you all xx
I hope you can take some comfort from knowing he was doing something he enjoyed in a beautiful location & he probably wasn't aware of anything being wrong. Yes it is devastating, maybe you could consider having some bereavement counselling xx
I'd like to add my condolences too at such a sad time
I meant to add that I have hypertrophic cardiomyopathy, my Momma had it, and several other family members. It most commonly causes cardiac arrest (heart stopping) due to a fatal arrhythmia, which is different than a heart attack (think blockage stopping blood flow). Because of symptoms I had, and family history, I was definitively gene tested for HCM, and am treated with 2 medications, and I have an implanted defibrillator/pacemaker.
I notified all my immediate family members so they could get tested, as I think knowledge is power, and at least one can choose to be treated if they are found to have cardiomyopathy or some other possibly life threatening cardiac issue.
I have also lost a beloved older brother (not directly related to cardiomyopathy) and I can totally sympathize with you.
I truly am sorry for your loss, please take care of yourself, and may the fond memories of your beloved brother bring you peace and comfort!
Thank you so much! Yes, it is awful, and although I've unfortunately lost lots of loved ones (very large family), you must allow yourself to grieve and give yourself time, be good to yourself. Don't listen to others, everyone is different. And please know you can reach out, there are some truly kind people in this community, unlike other online venues. 🤗♥️
I had numerous tests...Holter monitor, EKG's, Echo's, implanted Reveal monitor, angiogram, EP study (similar to angiogram but trying to find arrhythmias, not blockages), cardiac MRI (which showed hypertrophy), but the gene testing gave the definitive diagnosis. Due to family history and risk of cardiac arrest and my symptoms, I opted for an implanted ICD/pacemaker. Although I was born with HCM, it wasn't diagnosed until I was 40, so I was very lucky.
Since I'm in the U.S., I'm not sure the difference as far as health care, testing, etc... in the U.K. & elsewhere, but obviously our bodies and different conditions work the same, so just sharing my personal experience.
Sending you hugs right now, if I may be so forward, I just feel like you need some! 🤗🙏♥️
So sorry to hear of the traumatic way you had to receive the news of your brother. The replies you have received are correct. But it is you and your family now who need to recover. Don’t rush into thinking you are alright and give yourselves time to grieve. Be kind to yourself! Allow the Lord to
Comfort you and give you peace. God bless you and your family and friends
It's said 'When a robin appears, a loved one is near' and it's taken by those willing to see it as such to mean a loved one who has died is making a quick reassuring visit. The robin visits are said to often take place close to significant dates to the lost loved one.
To some, the presence of a robin also can be one of offering strength and courage to someone in need.
A lot of doctors have said to me it happens more than we like to realise. We don’t put it down to it being heart health. You can feel a bit out of puff or bit under the weather, but put it down to a bit of a virus. We see it as an older generation illness. When I was admitted for Heart Failure I had the top 3. I was shocked it was Hf.
I hope they leave no stone unturned on your health, for your own peace of mind. And don’t be afraid to ask things like, should I not be having an implantable device?
So very sorry to hear about the loss of your brother. Must have been an awful shock. The Robin must have been a sign sent from heaven. My prayers are with you and your family.
My heart goes out to you. My brother, who was only 57, died of cancer 3 weeks ago. He was so loved that there was standing room only in the church. We were very close and an finding it so hard to accept he has gone.
I find it hard to be with other people at the moment so have decided to spend Christmas on my own. My thoughts are with everyone who has lost someone especially at your this time of year.
Christmas was also my brothers favourite time of year. Many family members have asked me to there's for Christmas but I know I would spoil it for them. I just want to be in my own with my memories
Needed it, as I was going out of my mind thinking things over n over in my head.
All the ‘what ifs’ and ‘why didn’t he do this’ are not gonna help I know but I can’t help but think them.
My poor sister in law is broken. I feel for her so much.
I have my life. A wonderful partner and amazing children, a job I absolutely love, I drive and I’m very independent.
She depended on my brother so much, as she suffers with depression and anxiety.
She doesn’t drive, doesn’t work.
I’m so afraid she is going to go downhill very quickly.
Thank you for your message.
You are really sweet to think of me and give your support.
Means a lot x
I feel for you, deaths at this time of year are somehow harder. My own brother died very suddenly ten years ago in December, of a heart condition that had not been diagnosed. The shock and pain for all of us were beyond belief. Then my sister's husband died on New Year's day six years ago, from MND.
Christmas and New Year will always be a time of mixed emotions, although it gets less painful each time around.
If you have happy memories of your brother, you must hold onto those and they will help you to get through the worst days.
Content on HealthUnlocked does not replace the relationship between you and doctors or other healthcare professionals nor the advice you receive from them.
Never delay seeking advice or dialling emergency services because of something that you have read on HealthUnlocked.
Confused about discharge notes
HELP! Left ventricular strain.
GP's referral rejected by Hospital
Young Adult travel insurance 
Bicuspid Aortic Valve - 36 year old male, just looking for support/other stories
