Does heart failure make you hypersensitive to smell

[Altitude7]

Dear Community,

I was diagnosed with dilated left ventricle with severely impaired systolic function and EF of 25%.

I used to be active with daily walks in the park but now suffer from exertional breathlessness on simple tasks like walking up a flight of stairs.

Furosemide, Carvedilol, Candersartan were prescribed over the last few months.

Overall, I sometimes feel a pain in the lower abdomen wither side and just above the naval area which comes and goes in waves. The apetite is low and furosemide does ease this abdominal issue sometimes.

I just wonder if anyone has experienced a change in sensory perception with heart failure. For example I have a hypersensitivity to the smell of toast and I can't tolerate the smell of tea anymore. Would this be related to the cardiomegaly ie enlarged heart diagnosis. COVID test was negative and fine a number of months back.

Would the smell issue be related to an internal water retention build up due to a hear failure circulation issue. I don't have any visual swelling of the abdomen or legs.

Some days you feel so low on morale with this issue especially when I used to be active.

Any thoughts would be much appreciated if these symptoms have been experienced.

Thank you so much.

[Kristin1812 Heart Star]

Sorry I can’t help with your particular questions, but I am on the Covid 19 Oxford research app. and I reported a change of smell recently, and was told to test, again, as it’s one of the 3 key symptoms. It was negative.

[MDR1]

Hi I have the same condition, diagnosed 18 months ago. Dilated LV with severe heart failure and EF of 26% , which increased to 36% after 6 months. I take furosemide as we as all the other meds. I haven't experienced the sensory issues you describe but do know about the low morale. I thought my life was over. But I wasn't going to be defeated and kept myself busy. Until lockdown I spent a lot of time with my family and grand children and want to be around to see them grow up so decided to focus on the positives. I go on long walks and am busy renovating the house. Heart failure should not stop you being active so start slowly and do a bit more everyday. It really helps not just physically but also mentally.

I'm looking forward to spending time with grand children and resuming several holidays a year when lockdown is over.

All the best to you and hope you feel better soon.

[Altitude7 in reply to MDR1]

Hi MDR1. It gave me a real uplift and positivity that my situation can improve as I've been so active in the past. Similar to you I'm looking forward to see my grandchildren soon when the lockdown eases. Even yesterday it was so frustrating doing DIY around the house. Outside the house I still felt so sensitive to the breeze even though it was not as bad as the weather in prior weeks.I had to suddenly come inside. Perhaps due to the immunity being so low. The last few months were not easy getting various tests done and with some meds which didn't suit. Still, the apetite feels so low and I miss the daily walks in the park and the level of activity I had before. I hope there is an increase in the EV. Perhaps this may help with the breathlessness issue. Anyway, thank you so much again and I hope to try and stay in a positive frame of mind and be as active as I can going forward. I hope you feels much better over the months ahead aswell.

[Thanksnhs]

Hi I had the exact same ef 23% lvsd, caused by arrhythmogenic cardiomyopathy, I was on entresto and most of the other heart failure drugs, I had no appetite at all, but I didn't seem to have the sensory problems you have, but strangely enough after my transplant I have them now! I can hardly taste or smell anything I have tested negative for covid on numerous occasions, it is horrible but just seems to be one of those things, I also had gastritis which caused a lot of pain I still have it being treated with lansoprazol, I fully understand low moral I hated the fact that I just could not do the same things as my friends which caused me huge issues that I should have got help for, too stupid too proud who knows, I eventually did, my hospital provided all the help I needed, I wish I had done it sooner, it would have saved me a lot of distress and anger at my situation, which was caused by a faulty gene, but at the time I thought I had brought it on myself, with spring around the corner it makes it much easier to get out and about a stroll, I can't go any faster, in the sunshine really cheers me up I am looking forward to it hopefully soon, take care char

[Altitude7]

Hi Thanksnhs,Thank you so much for your response. It has been definitely frustrating. I have been active and just suddenly this situation arose out of the blue. It's taken time to lift the morale. Gettings tests took months in the current situation and more time went with meds that didn't suit. My apetite is definitely half and I feel so weak and fatigued even doing odd jobs which are simple around the house. . Before I was so active. I feel stable but so frustrating that I can't enjoy tea, even the smell of burnt toast is too much to take, or go for simple walks. Hope to stay positive and wish for both of us that our EV improves over time.

[Khan29uk]

Hello altitude7

I hope you are in good health, i have ef of 24%, diagnosed in September 2020 with swelling of ankles and feet, im on normal meds. Thank God, my swelling has gone down with furosemide. I am 48 years old, non smoker nor drink alcohol, physically fit and my heart failure it was complete shock. My breathlessness was apparent in the beginning now thank God it has somewhat gone.

My advice is have faith, think about your good family and grandchildren.

Be positive in every action you take, i am thankful that i can share my experience with other good people who have the same condition as me, it gives me comfort that i am not alone. The more with our experiences, the more we learn and adapt to our condition, and our lives become more better as it were. Never lose hope. I sometimes cry to myself without anyone knowing, that is sometimes good it releases th pressure on your mind, so sometimes anxiety and sorrowness comes in. But we must beat that by focusing on positive and beautiful things in life, like our beautiful families that is the objective. Remember this life will throw alot of things at us, but we must approach it with patience and positive mind - correct mindset. At the moment i am going through some tough time my whole family because of my son, he is not helping. So i have my own medical condition and I have to deal with his issues. He does need help and medical attention, but sadly he is denial at the moment. But again i will support him all the way.

I pray for all of us that i our lives becomes better and positive, considering the current situation the pandemic, we need to be positive because we must not let negativity defeats we are stronger than, God has given us strength to survive.

We are going to survive this and hopefully with time we will be successful in our lives.

I hope all the best of health for you and stay positive and have the will power to beat this.

Take care

Very kindest regards

Sami