Hello.
Today my GP told me I am in the early stages of heart failure; I am 72. I’m grateful for my life and hope to extend it a bit more but feel totally at sea. I’m particularly suspicious that I will be humoured and not given straight answers when I ask the obvious questions. Any advice would be welcome.
I do not have heart failure( yet) but am 67 and have a fib. As a retired nurse, I can say that most times heart failure can be managed for many many years. The heart is a muscle and as we age, it can weaken. It is important to have an exercise program, walking is good. They say walk at a rate that you can carry on a conversation and not let yourself get too winded. Also the docs probably will talk to you about diet, avoiding highly salted foods will help prevent fluid retention. Of course, get plenty of sleep at night. Some people need to raise the head of their bed to breath better or add a pillow if you need.
Mostly, it isnt necessarily an ominous sign. I hate the word heart failure. Failure is a strong negative word. Our eye sight or hearing often gets worse with age but we dont say eye or ear failure. Live your life. If you are a smoker or big alcohol drinker, quit. Sorry this is so long. Us old nurses like to get on our soapboxes😂😂😂
Hello and welcome to the forum, having a diagnosis given to as heart failure is a complete shock, but most people on the forum will say failure is not the right word! The heart is a pump and it maybe needs a bit of help to do it’s job, as already been said if you smoke or drink (a lot) stop, start eating well the recommended diet from BHF is the Mediterranean one, walking great exercise, I have had open heart surgery and walking is the exercise that is recommended for me. By the cardio rehab team along with dancing gardening and swimming.
If you have any questions there are lots of us here to help and someone will be along to answer you.
We are all here to help and give you what support we can.
Stay safe Pauline
Can I answer you both? My GP also dislikes the label of heart failure. I suspect many members have co-morbidities. Mine is unusual for a male: I have had fibromyalgia for four years and this has contracted the boundaries of my life significantly. Exercise is essential but difficult. For four months I thought my walking difficulties were caused by fibromyalgia but now I understand that the cardiac issues are also in play. Life is about to get more interesting!
Yes fibromyalgia is no picnic. Walking long distances for me is not easy due to arthritis. I do like my recumbent exercise bike. It has a big seat so is more comfortable than a regular bike.
Sorry you are struggling with pain, it will limit you on exercise As your GP put you on any meds? Life can really throw you a curve ball, but many people here will tell you life can still be good with our heart issues.
😊
The Pain Management Clinic which I attended for two years addicted me to Oxycodone, an extremely powerful opiate (those words are my GPs not mine).It took me three months to detox from this and when I did the chronic pain had spread all over my body (having been masked by the opiate). The only thing that helped the detox was mindfulness and I suspect it will help with the cardiac problems,
Lots of people on the forum find Mindfulness very helpful. So sorry you have had to go through such a lot. Stay strong.
Thanks and your point about Mindfulness is very encouraging.
Hi Ukuleleman
Welcome to the forum.
I am sorry to hear of your bumpy journey regarding pain management.
I find Mindfulness Meditation along with Tai Chi and yoga really helpful to manage my angina.
We should all get out on our mats 😊🧘♀️
Do you know about Insight Timer?
It offers lots of different meditation ideas and best of all it's free!
Hi I’ve used it for about 9 years, mainly for TM. Unfortunately it’s no longer free: most of the content is about £10 a month or £60 a year. You’re ok if you stick with the timer.
TM ?
Transcendental Meditation. I learned it 10 years ago. It’s great for de-stressing and centring down but I preferred Mindfulness to TM for pain management. I think Mindfulness focusses on both the body and mind whereas TM is more on the mind. Note, I’m not knocking TM : it’s brilliant for stress related conditions. Anyone interested google Twenty Minute Meditation: Chris and his team were trained by Maharishi but left mainstream TM because of the very high cost. I assure you this is not a commercial ploy: most of us who Chris trained regard him as a friend - and I am moving away from TM to Mindfulness because my needs have changed.
Thank you!
I love Mindfulness too it helps me with my pain along with yoga as they are as you say both very much mind and body.
Hi Ukuleleman
Welcome to a wonderful site and community
My father in law has also been told he has heart failure at 72 yrs old
He has suffered 3 heart attacks with the first being at 52 yrs old then at 58 and one at 68
This year we will celebrate his 90th birthday
This proves the point that life is indeed what you make it
Thanks, alheart, that’s really encouraging: say happy birthday to him from me.
Do have a look at the Pumping Marvellous website which is specifically for heart failure. It has a number of information sheets which will really help you to understand the condition. And, as people have said, it can be managed well for many years. Best Wishes
Thanks Missis.
Hi and welcome. I was diagnosed with heart failure about 18 months ago, aged just 55. It's a horrible term, unnecessarily distressing. It knocked me sideways, I thought 'that's it the end' but it turns out that's far from the truth! Heart failure can be managed and managed well for many years. You say you are at early stages, that's good. When I was diagnosed I was told my heart failure was already severe. With medication and few life style changes my heart failure is now considered borderline, it has not only stablised but improved. So, it can get better, can be managed and you can carrying on living well . Very best wishes.
Thanks Gracie. Mine is early stages but I’ve not yet been told how severe it is; I suppose the consultant will tell me.
I should of added that I also have rheumatoid arthritis. So know the pain of autoimmune disease.
I take loads of pills: for fibromyalgia pain and for permanent A-Fib which they diagnosed four years ago and hasn’t caused me a moment’s trouble - until now! It would be nice to have one super Cardio and one super fibro pill.
I was told I had heart failure last April it hit me like a ton of brick the doctor I was put under was lovely she explained everything to me a way I understood even that I had to come off some of my normal tablets and why today it is managed by tablets and I am doing fine and I'm sure you will be 1 thing I will say is dont Google anything because you will never stop worrying listen to your doctor but remember its you who has heart failure so if you don't understand something tell them wishing you lots of luck and good health for the future
Hi Ukuleleman i absolutely agree with most of the replies to your post. "Early stages of Heart Failure" may be a nudge for you to address but in no way should it be associated with imminent mortality. Of course I do not know your medical details but on the assumption the Drs comments were routine after looking at all your results, you have many years to enjoy ahead as do many folk on here. You did not mention any med results incl LVEF.d
The GP examined me then rushed a full blood count, an ECG and a chest x-ray through in 48 hours. The bloods were all good except for the BNP test. ECG will have shown permanent A Fib and he was also concerned about high heart rate. He increased my bisoprolol to 5mg in the morning and 5 mg in the evening starting yesterday. Not sure what it did for my heart rate but it gave me galloping diarrhoea this morning.
I am a 68 year old lady 7 years ago I was told I had severe heart failure and I thought I that was it but I go to yoga once a week and water aerobics go out with friends still enjoy going dancing I feel I am still fit can’t do all I used to but I am happy with what I can do and hope to b here for some time yet I got heart failure after having cancer but that’s nearly 11 years now.
Thanks for sharing, MaryDoll.
Good for you MD123. You will enjoy many more years I am sure.
Welcome Ukuleleman . You are at the best site for both experience information and practical procedures. Please enjoy the advice given and good luck with your health.
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