Low ejection fraction and dilated left ventricle and enlarged heart. Best meds?

[andrea_waffle7]

Anyone else with a low ejection fraction and dilated left ventricle? I am currently trying different medications as I have low blood pressure. Would like to hear success stories and meditation that works for you?

[Highnoon]

Hi Andrea new here I have low blood pressure 46 BPM my fraction is between 5

[Highnoon in reply to Highnoon]

50 and 60 not sure if that's low or had heart attack yr ago today 3 stints in

[Highnoon]

What's your e fraction

[Silvasava]

I have DCM with an ejection fraction of 41% . I take Digoxin, Entresto, Edoxaban , Spironolactone, Atorvastatin and Furosemide. I still get very breathless though and my ankles swell slightly at night but my feet turn purple as soon as I stand up! Are you trying different combinations of medications under the supervision of your cardiologist/doctor?

[andrea_waffle7 in reply to Silvasava]

Hi, I am only taking Candesartan and Carvedilol due to low BP to be fair you say you’re breathless and having swelling in the legs. I don’t have any of those issues. Cardiologist will be checking my bloods very soon and then giving me a third medication not sure what that is yet.

[Silvasava in reply to andrea_waffle7]

I have no experience of the two medications you are taking. Just to clarify I don't get swelling in my legs, just around my ankles and usually by late evening. I am still in the process of adjusting my medication to see improvement in my breathing. Good Luck!

[andrea_waffle7]

Hi, I am still on the same Candesartan and Carvedilol. With an increase from today of Candesartan. Not sure of the name yet of my third medication to start soon. I was just intrigued yesterday when I read the post of someone increasing their ejection fraction from 17% to 55% in 8 months and wanted to find out whether I could tolerate same medication.

[Tiffle]

Hi , I have severe heart failure diagnosed April 2020 plus DCM and very broad LBBB - rate 140-150 bpm , EF 23% . I’ve always been hypotensive systolic bp range 80-90 mmhg . Cardiologist started me on ramipril and bisoprolol in April last year at lowest possible doses but I had to stop them because of adverse effects on bp and kidney function as a result - that was in august . From the get go I retained a lot of fluid - up to 7kg at some points, was was on high doses of diuretics ( spironolactone and bumetanide ) , I was also very symptomatic with HF - PND , severe breathlessness on minimal exertion etc - so was in and out of hospital all of last year . Eventually in September, after angio to rule out IHD and cardiac MRI to rule out scarring I had a CRT- P device inserted and started on Entresto and ivabradine ( lowest doses) . The ivabradine as an anti arrhythmic doesn’t affect your bp , but Entresto can affect kidney function so I haven’t been able to increase dose of either meds . BUT had echo and CRT-P check last week (6 months post insertion CRT- P & starting Entresto and ivrabradine ) - my EF was 64% and HR within normal range . So both the drugs and device have helped massively with my HF symptoms and EF, I’m still hypotensive but not symptomatic as before on first meds , I still also have to take diuretics but slightly less although I still retain fluid - but not to the extent I did before September & most importantly I’ve stayed out of hospital . 👏😁. I hope this helps a bit , good luck and I hope you sort things out soon

[andrea_waffle7]

Well done on staying out of hospital and increasing your EF. Are you feeling better in yourself now? Thank you for your detailed reply it really helps to hear some positive news. Good luck with your continued better health.

[Caravan-lover]

Hi I’m a bit puzzled that your on candesartan as that is for high blood pressure not low.....June Last year at 54yrs old I was diagnosed with heart failure & dilated cardiomyopathy with a EF less than 30% I am now on optimised meds of ivabradine, eplerenone , entresto, furosemide & I’ve just started dapagliflozin which has put my EF back up to 55%, I do still get breathless & tired but I’m still here.

[andrea_waffle7 in reply to Caravan-lover]

The cardiologist said he feels Candesartan is a good one to be one for life as it protects the heart. Prevention in theory (not so much in my case now) he is talking about starting me on Eplerenone too in a couple of weeks time. I will mention lots of people mentioning Dapagliflozin too. Well done on your EF though keep going!