HEART FAILURE

[Kelling]

I would like some advice - I had open heart surgery in June of 2018 with bypass surgery. Since Wednesday, I have been diagnosed as in heart failure due to a calcium build up in a vessel close to the heart causing a lack of BP to my lower torso, and in the first instance causing swollen ankles. Should such a deficit have been found during open heart surgery or is this a disease that occurs spontaneously? Please help - worried.

[francesw47]

Heart failure is a worrying term. It doesn't mean your heart is failing, but its not pumping as efficiently as it might. I prefer to think of it as an inefficient heart. Lots of us here have same, and BHF has useful leaflets on subject, which you might read. Also Pumping Marvellous website really worth consulting - but please do not Google otherwise you will terrify yourself. But sounds like you have loads of questions to ask - ask them here and we can give support, but more importantly who is managing your care atm? And what have they suggested are next steps?

Someone with much more experience in this than me will hopefully answer soon, I am relatively new to this world of ongoing problems following OHS. So still finding out and cardiologist only just prescribing new drugs.

Keep in touch with us and let us know what has been suggested and how you get on.

[Kelling in reply to francesw47]

Thank you very much for a kind and informative post - it's a bit numbing really to have gone through the OHS to be told I have heart failure! Surely one would have thought they would. have found that during OHS. Now I am in this predicament I need to know just where I stand with isolation and whether I need to completely self isolate? They say I am to have a full echo and then probably a double pacemaker because I have a very low heart rate fluctuating between 40 and 80

[RufusScamp]

I agree with Frances. Heart failure is a worrying term. But I seem to have been living with it for some years until I got a chest infection. Heart inefficiency is a better description. I would also recommend the BHF and Pumping Marvellous websites. Do you have a cardio-rehab team in the area? Mine have been wonderful.

[Kelling in reply to RufusScamp]

Thank you for your kind reply however over the years I have heard of "Cardiac Teams! but for me, there has been nothing. Is it my fault for not asking or their fault for not offering?

[RufusScamp in reply to Kelling]

I had my first appointment with them arranged before I left hospital. A cardiac nurse came regularly for a few weeks to check on me, and still keeps in touch by phone. She arranged for me to attend rehab classes, with exercise and talks from various experts. COVID stopped this unfortunately, but again they are still keeping in touch. Check with your GP if there is anything. It may be suspended at the moment of course, but there should be advice available.

[Kelling in reply to RufusScamp]

Thank you again for being so kind