Do I have heart failure?

[Blacktan]

I have been diagnosed with Moderate left ventricular systolic dysfunction ejection fraction 40% & 3X Vessel coronary artery disease,does this mean that I have heart failure?If someone could help me please?

[Celtic1956]

Hi black tony here I had heart failure on January this year with out simptems my left venticuler was 20 percent I had a triple bypass to clear arteries now up to 50 percent so take your doctor's advice

[Blacktan in reply to Celtic1956]

That’s great news for you Tony,hope you can improve even more & thank you for replying.

[Whatamug1]

Yes Blacktan. No worries though as you can have it for decades. It's probably best to make a docs appt and ask him/her. The consultant would have sent a copy of your results to your GP with advice on medication etc, if they feel you need it. Stay Calm and Stay Safe. You're in good company here as this site is very helpful so any questions, ask away

[Stonechick]

There is a tendency to call all and any heart problems "heart failure" which sounds scary. I had 16% left ventricular, thanks to a virus (not THE virus) which on medication has quickly come up to 26%. Still not good but feeling ok. So Heart failure to my mind is a misnomer so much can be done to help.

[captscott in reply to Stonechick]

Did they suggest icd as primary prevention therapy?

[Tubbylardo]

Heart Failure is a shitty term. My EF was 15% before my AVR. Looking forward to my next Echo to see what the improvement is .......

[Sunnie2day]

Unless your cardiologist has used the specific phrase 'Heart Failure' (HF or hf), no, you do not officially have a diagnosis of HF. Contact him/her via phone or email to ask directly - 'Do I have HF?' to be sure, and keep us posted either way.

If it comes down to an official diagnosis of HF, try not to overthink it - all HF is really is that your heart has to work a bit harder than most to accomplish its task of keeping blood pumping correctly. With medication and lifestyle adjustment most HF patients lead good quality lives - dozens here on the forum will be happy to share their success and tips with you if it really is HF.

Your EF is actually quite good compared to the EF most HF members here have reported, and again, most of them are leading good quality lives even if their meds and lifestyle adjustments are unable to raise that EF to a more 'normal' EF of 50+.

Stay calm (not easy, I well know) - even if it is truly HF, you're on the right track with good medical care and the support you'll find here.

[Shar28]

Hi. All heart failure means is that your heart is failing to work as well as a normal healthy heart. It doesn’t mean your heart has failed. In a normal person, EF will be 55-65% so your EF of 40% isn’t at all bad. Have you been given any medication to help? If so, your EF could well increase.

Your consultant or GP are best placed to explain your exact condition to you and the BHF nurses are fantastic. My suggestion is to write down a list of questions as you think of them and have copies of letters/notes from cardiology in front of you and speak with someone. Write down the answers and take it from there. All of this heart malarkey is a journey, not a once-and-done situation so it evolves as time progresses. Having notes to look back on can be very useful.

All the best to you and your loved ones.

[Sodp]

hi Blacktan how did you go? I was diagnosed exactly like what you been diagnosed..40% EF ..lv dysfunction and 3 arteries..stented 5 months ago have test in one month. Hopefully things be better now. On bisoprolol and other med, did you end up with any intervention ?