Help and advice

Hi.. I really really wanted to know more and am worried about my aunty who I’m very very close to. She’s been suffering from getting breathless when walking too much and climbing the stairs. Happening slowly. Recently got worse and doc hassa referred her and e** dunno the name. Can anybody tell me if this could be sign off heart failure? Please any reply will help

[Kristin1812 Heart Star]

It could be a few causes.....why did you think it might be heart failure?

[Hidden in reply to Kristin1812]

Because all her symptoms seem to be like that of heart failure. All that I’ve read about her symptoms show that

[080311]

You don’t say if she is on any medication or if she as had any tests ECG, echocardiogram, or angiogram. How’s her blood pressure? Before a diagnosis of HF is given there are lots of tests to go through.

[Hidden in reply to 080311]

She has an echocardiogram tomorrow. What should that show?

[080311 in reply to Hidden]

Echocardiogram shows how the heart muscle is working it also checks the valves. When I had my first one it showed there was a problem with my Aortic valve. I then went on to have an angiogram, this looks in more detail, they call that the gold standard. It picked up that I also needed a bypass.

Hope your Aunt as good news tomorrow, the echo is very straight forward, it’s like them checking when your pregnant.

Best wishes Pauline

[Becksagogo]

Kristin If and it's a big IF, if it is heart failure please do not write Auntie off! Lots of us on this site have lived a fully active life for many years with "Heart Failure".

Aunty will probably undergo lots of tests which although uncomfortable aren't usually painful.

If allowed make sure somebody accompanies her to ask the questions she may forget. Write down questions before you go then you don't forget to ask them.

Don't take too much notice of Doctor Google; he's very scary.

This site offers help from people who have been through it before although most of us aren't qualified Doctors and the Heart Failure Nurse at your hospital should be able to answer all questions for you.

It IS a scary journey and good luck to Auntie. She's lucky to have you to care about her. X

[Hidden in reply to Becksagogo]

Thanks for your kind message. She’s just been for her test which went ok. But it was disappointing being told the results will go to the doc in 2/3 weeks yet!

[Becksagogo in reply to Hidden]

Yes I'm afraid it can be slow but no news is usually good news!Hope all goes well for her.