Can the heart really get better?

[Love100cats]

I've not posted for a few weeks but I'm in isolation and doing quite well. I said last time that theses weeks have given me space and time to recover from last year. But I didn't expect to feel this well. I'm looking after myself and home alone other than a bit of help with the garden. I feel stronger. I sleep well and on my left side. My nausea is much better. My weight is stable so no fluid increase. I'm not so tired in the day time. I can reach up and bend down! Just 4 weeks ago my g.p. put me on the hospice list and I was contacted by the hospice nurse. All this I think following the b.m.p. blood test which gave a reading of 4,500 when 400 is high. But can other factors affect that reading.? The heart failure nurses diagnosis was that my heart was failing and definitely weaker. I felt my end had come! Now I'm not sure. Any thoughts please to untangle this?

[Hidden]

Not sure your question can be answered. The body is designed to try and fix itself, like a ship in a storm... it will try hard to stay afloat. I personally believe people can get better. Ive seen terminal cancer patients with months to live go on and live a couple more good years. Lets hope your health continues on the upswing and you prove them all wrong!

[Nathan53]

The fact that you feel comfortable and content with life even though it is different maybe suiting you better and facilitating an improvement.

Whatever it is long may it continue and well done for being resourceful and adapting. Relax in the garden when the days are warmer

[Prada47]

Hi love cats

It can't mend it's self as far as I know, but it can get stronger not exactly the same thing I know but. The Meds can slow the process of it becoming weaker which is why I bother to pop the pills everyday ! After CABG it was down to 27% ef now it's in the Low 40s on the last visit to the Heart Nurse she was concerned as I was short of breath so she organised an Echo asap. It turned out I had more or less stayed the same after a year on Entresto which is deemed a good result.

She did say I had reached the end of the road for medication but I do feel better and I am willing to try maximum entresto at my next visit on June 1st. A CRT device may help in certain circumstances maybe worth asking about ?? I think a Hospice has been mentioned to quite a few of us not because we are due, but more to think about the longer term !!

I know very little about BNP tests I don't think I have ever had one ! Maybe the BHF Nurses would be a better place to ask ?

Stay well and Take Care Wishing you Well

Regards

[SpiritoftheFloyd]

Hi Love100cats

Can the heart really get better? - Well strictly speaking no, any damage to the muscle of the heart results in scar tissue which is dead tissue and does nothing. The better question to ask is Can the heart improve after an event? The answer to that is yes most definitely.

As Thatwasunexpected has said the heart is only muscle, therefore exercising it within limits does help the function of the heart. The medicines prescribed for heart failure are amazing and can do a huge amount to help you live well. The other things are not smoking, limiting the amount of alcohol, keeping the weight to a good level, eating a balance diet, preferably the Mediterranean diet, exercising, getting good rest and eliminating stress.

I started this journey 16 months ago today and it is a lot to take onboard, but it can be done. When I was told in hospital that I had heart failure I felt like it was the end, but it isn't, today I feel so much better, in fact better than I felt before my heart attack.

The fact that you are feeling so well is great news. HF is a condition that can be well managed and people frequently live good lives for many many years after a diagnosis of HF. I hope you continue with you recovery.

[Love100cats in reply to SpiritoftheFloyd]

Thankyoufor your reply and the others too for encouraging comments. It's strange that I've self isolated and am completely on my own for the first time in 56 years other than when my husband was in hospital. So here I am just doing what I think is best for my heart. No blood tests, no district nurses, no heart failure nurses, no g.p., no hospital appointments. Everything that was considered essential before is now not happening. I don't keep notes now. I just go by how I feel. It seems to suit me! I pace myself. Just me and Mavy cat.

[Hidden in reply to Love100cats]

It is interesting to me that when less attention and focus on our ailments we give, the better we feel. I have a fib and it hasnt bothered me in 2 years. Ive since retired, have a much more relaxing life and now with social isolating, Ive cancelled routine dr visits and Im finding myself feeling better too. I dont even think about my heart on most days any more. That feels good.

[Handel in reply to Love100cats]

Good to hear you're doing so well. Lots of love and best wishes to you and Mavy! xxx

[Love100cats in reply to Handel]

So good to hear from you all. Some very good advice but also a lot of positivity and that does help I'm sure. I will let you know how things go.

[Hidden in reply to Love100cats]

Yes do keep us posted. 💜

[hf54]

This is really good advice... I wish the op the very best.