Newly diagnosed LVSD

[Jaynereader]

Hi everyone I'm Jayne x I'm 52 and was recently diagnosed with LSVD ... made a huge mistake and used Dr Google which has left me petrified xx I have my first appointment with consultant on Wed so have made a list of questions to ask xx Have been put immediately on Ramipril and have been told they will give me a treatment plan after more tests xx relieved I have a diagnosis as have felt so poorly for months and has always been put down to Asthma and Menopause! Xx Would welcome any tips or reassurance ❤ thanks x

[GracieOS]

Yes, Google is a big mistake , one I made too when diagnosed 2.5 years ago aged 55. Like you I thought the symptoms I had were menopause and asthma. I didn't pay much attention to them so my diagnoses hit me like a tone of bricks.

First thing to say is Google is very much at the doom and gloom end of things. When I was diagnosed my EF was low to mid 30s. 2 years later with medication and a few, pretty minor life style changes, it was back in the normal range, albeit at the low end of normal range.

It is a bit of a roller coaster ride early on while they try and get your medication right but it isn't the death sentence I thought it was first off. Far from it in fact. Things can get better and do for many people. The thing that helped me was hearing from people on this forum living well with the same diagnoses for many years. Me, covid aside, I live pretty well. I have made some changes but I'm al the better for those changes. I intend to retire early later this year, and go travelling.

[Sunnie2day]

Hiya and welcome to the Hearties, Jaynereader Sounds to me as though you're on the right track with your list of questions and the understanding Dr Google is a snake oil salesman

I have different heart conditions to yours (check my very boring profile if you've a spare ten minutes, lol) but in one aspect of having chronic heart conditions, the best tip is the same for all of us:

The Waiting Is The Hardest Part

You wait and wait and wait to get the letter informing you of a diagnostic test booking.

You go to that booked diagnostic (ECG, echocardiogram, angiogram, bloods...) and unless something quite wrong is found during the process of conducting that particular diagnostic, you're sent home to wait for the results to arrive via letter or phone consult.

You wait. And wait, and wait and it truly does seem forever, that waiting.

It's usually best before-during-after any test to ask how long generally until you hear results, then set yourself a waiting time limit based on what you were told in answer to your 'How long until' question - mark that estimated time line on your diary or online calendar.

If you haven't heard anything five or so days past that date, contact the GP or cardiac team to 'chase up' those results. Sometimes things get shuffled to the bottom of the stack so chasing up is needed - but only after a reasonable period has passed so you don't get a reputation as a nuisance.

Again, welcome. We know this is one of the last 'clubs' you ever imagined joining but you'll find us a very friendly and helpful lot even if the only help we can offer is a sturdy shoulder for you to vent on

[RufusScamp]

It's upsetting to get the initial diagnosis, but modern treatments are so much better. My local health care is excellent, with frequent follow-ups and rehab classes. As well as taking your list of questions, don't forget to make a note of the answers!Stay away from Dr Google. This website contains lots of reliable information.

And good luck. In a way, you are lucky that you have been diagnosed before you had a serious crisis.

[Qualipop]

If you still have lots of questions, do phone the BHF nurses rather than using Google. After my heart attack I almost had another one when almost every result from Dr Google talked about the LAD being the widow maker

[Babsben]

Hi I like you thought it was perimenopause and I have asthma too which is controlled. I was never out of the doctors with something different. It wasn't until i fell down the stairs (jan 2020) where paramedics picked up on an irregular heartbeat which I later pursued with my gp. i was referred to have a echogram and 48hr ecg which showed lvsd and I googled it (big mistake) then i had to have an angiogram this showed no blockages, im going for a cardiac mri this Saturday to find the cause of my heart failure and just recently had a 3 day ecg. I'm hoping my EF has improved a little. I felt incredibly low to begin with , cried a lot then got covid, got through that, took couple of months off work (care worker). I then joined this group and also cardimyopathy (BHF) on facebook which helped me so much understand about my condition. The letter from cardiologist named it mild dilated cardimopathy either its inherited or it was caused by a virus. I've also made some lifestyle changes, diet, exercise, no alcohol and don't have caffeine. 4 lots of medication and still low doses as I'm asymptomatic at present. I'm hopeful and try look on the positive side of things. I have a lovely cardiac nurse who i can call anytime and I went to cardiac rehab which was informative.

The gp said to me women in menopause/perimenopause most will get palpations so I suspect this could be where some heart problems are overlooked.

I just turned 50 Sunday feel 21 in the head the body says otherwise 🤪

The British heart foundation has lots of informaion and lots of lovely people on here 😀

I was advised to lose weight im about a stone over. I'm on the Mediterranean way of eating, lost the stone and feel lots better. Its a healthy heart diet. I've cut sugar, salt and caffeine. Its not all bad I use honey instead of sugar, fresh herbs instead of salt, olive oil and drink decaf😊 If your offered cardiac rehab take it they will see how your heart performs during and after some exercise.

Also ramipril can give you a cough I had a cough after a month on it they changed it to candestartan and it stopped after a week.

Take care and good luck for Wednesday ❤