Defibrillator

[Yasyass]

Hi everyone how u all with the isolation I myself have been finding it quite difficult as I was used to going out but it is a matter of looking after ourselves and trying to help everyone get thru this difficult time today my cardiologist phoned I didn’t really understand wh he meant about my results but saying it’s better in six months if I have a defribrillator I am so worried wh this means for me and he also mentions I have half of my heart damaged I have no symptons so find all this very difficult many thanks

[Sunnie2day]

I'd see it as very good news you're asymptomatic, Yasyass, but a heart with 50% damage is a heart that might need a wee assist at times.

When he said a defibrillator, did he say an ICD?

[Yasyass in reply to Sunnie2day]

Thank you for your reply yes a icd and May change rampiril to enestro tabs which I thought were for anyone having symptons as I have low blood pressure how have u been sunnie2day managing with isolation take care

[Sunnie2day in reply to Yasyass]

We're getting along well here with the self-isolation - lol, my husband would love it to be a permanent thing How are you doing with it?

An ICD is an implanted defibrillator device and works with your heart to ensure it keeps beating. That's a very simplified explanation, I don't have one so I shouldn't try to say more than that beyond what I've read here on the forum and on BHF publications pages - having an ICD takes a little time to get used to having implanted in the chest but is a reasonably straight-forward procedure to have implanted and recovery from the actual implantation is usually uncomplicated and fast-ish.

These two BHF downloadable publications will help explain it better:

bhf.org.uk/informationsuppo...

bhf.org.uk/informationsuppo...

There are so many members here with ICDs and at least one or two should be along sometime today to give you a much better idea of how they experienced the implantation and recovery, and how they're getting along with having it.

ETA: we also have some members on Entresto and hopefully they too will be along soon to add more helpful information for you!

[Yasyass in reply to Sunnie2day]

I’m ok but hope things will get to normal but still will take time and thank you for your reply wishing u all the best

[Prada47 in reply to Yasyass]

Hi Yasyass

First off I am on Entresto and they have talked about a CRT - D but it appears not quite yet for me. I have been on Entresto for almost1 year now and it has improved my EF from 43 % to 44% and that is on the middle dose. I did have to drop Furosemide and Isosorbide Medication so as not to have to Low of a Blood Pressure on Entresto

I get on OK with Entresto along with a 7.5mg dose of Bisoprolol

Just a question how did they determine the degree of damage to your heart ?

I know from my Myocardial Perfusion scan I have a 12 % defect of my myocardium which can't be fixed this gives me the EF of43 % although that is only classed as Moderate H F , I am very symptomatic which is classed as Heart Failure with some degree of Preserved Ejection Fraction !!

I hope this helps a little if I can offer anymore please just ask

Regards

Stay Safe

Stay Well

[Yasyass in reply to Prada47]

Hi prada47 thank you for your reply I did a nuclear med scan which says shows large fixed defect 41% and ef is 31 but I have no symptons except since starting rampiril three mths my blood pressure is low I am wondering why I feel ok but need icd or is it for the future I alwaz think I am ok but the cardiologist tells me otherwise

[Prada47 in reply to Yasyass]

Hi

I can understand what you are saying, some days I can behave as though I have nothing wrong with my heart and others I can feel awful !!!

One thing I know is on my side Is I am Very Positive I take everything on offer I have had CABG and had Stents and I always increase my meds when told to.

I have a 100% blocked RCA which is a bit Risky to try to unblock but if the Cardiologist tells me in June he is ready to try so am I !!!

ICDs are an Insurance Policy and if I was you and your Cardiologist recommends one , just go for

You Take Care

Stay Well

[Yasyass in reply to Prada47]

Thank you and wish I had your positivity which I think is important for recovery the cardiologist suggests in six months time to make sure and says with the virus going on I’ll have to wait it’s because I’m worried about all the risks I read about but I suppose there is risks in everything I do take the meds as recommended but then the gp takes me off them because I usually have a low blood pressure and they mk it lower