SERVERE LVSD AND LOW EF

[Stuart_scharcarnie]

Just been diagnosed with severe LVSD EF of 25% I've also got LBBB I'm male 44 yrs and really stressed out finding it hard to take it I suffer too with bipolar disorder has anyone else had to go through this with there heart?

[MichaelJH Heart Star]

There are quite a few people with the same conditions. If you search on LVSD and/or LBBB you will find quite a few threads/posts. Here's one you star with:

healthunlocked.com/bhf/post...

I imagine a few people will give you more detailed replies tomorrow.

[Stuart_scharcarnie in reply to MichaelJH]

Thank you for your helpful reply. Stuart

[Putterguy]

Hi Stuart, I was also diagnosed with LVSD with an EF of 15% - 20%. I am 66 and was previously reasonably fit. It is very difficult to take in what this means and how your life will change. First thing I did was get my affairs in order and make sure my wife new about all payments what she was due with my pensions etc. Bought a blood pressure machine took my pressure every hour took my pulse every hour. Think this is normal for anyone, PANICK FIRST then find out the facts!!if only I’d have found the facts first. I had anxiety attacks, went back into hospital a couple of times as my anxiety attacks made my heart thump and made my breathing difficult and as always with these things it was in the middle of the night. My diagnosis was on the 30 December 2020, since then I have had a couple of appointments with my consultant and have a monthly appointment with the heart nurse team. They are always available. I asked all the questions you would ask of the person who knows and the answers were quite eye opening to me and have helped no end reduce my anxiety and my life style.

This is a summary of our conversation.

First thing in my own case is that you can improve your health and longevity,

As the consultant said exercise is better than any tablet he can give me.

Listen to the heart team especially the nurses as they are really knowledgeable.

Make sure you take your medicines as prescribed.

Listen to your own body, if you feel tired rest!

Stop taking your BP and pulse as this will only make you anxious. The heart team will tell you if you need to take your BP and pulse.

I have had to make changes in my life but I pushed myself to try and get as much of my old life back as much as possible.

I now walk everyday at least 4 miles, unless I’m having a bad day and I rest for the full day and I don’t feel guilty about resting for the day.These are getting less frequent now.

I play golf 3 times a week only able to get 12 holes done but I’m getting there. I have a buggy for the walk between holes.

Medication I take religiously and I’m in contact with heart nurse team should I have any issues.

I have learnt how to control my anxiety and sleep extremely well. ( I’ve posted before what works for me)

I make sure I don’t get panicky with every pain I get in my chest.

One of the best things I did was join this site, there is always some great advice on here from other people with heart issues.

I keep the positive posts from this site of other patients who have made recoveries as they are most inspiring.

Sorry for the ramble but thought you might find it useful that we all go through the same when we are diagnosed. There is life after a diagnosis and you can get improvement in your life, stick with it and above all don’t Panic, get the facts and find out what you can do to improve yourself.

Don’t forget your not alone lots of us out there.

[Stuart_scharcarnie]

Thank you for your reply, that is re-assuring to know that, Hopefully I can make all the necessary lifestyle changes and the new medication will improve things, glad to hear your feeling better. Regards Stuart

[Stuart_scharcarnie]

Thank you so much Putterguy for your reply its made me think a lot about thing's. I really need to make many changes to my lifestyle and do more exercise, listen to the heart team and cardiologists and as you say make sure I take all medications as prescribed hopefully in time my EF will improve, its great to know that people yourself included are hear to help with any questions or worries that I may have. Kind Regards Stuart

[Bigbrian]

Hi Stuart, I too have /had LBBB with severe heart failure and EF of 30%.2 years on I’ve had top medication, pacemaker fitted and heart failure has gone. Feeling great. So you will be feeling a bit down. Be assured now you are in the heart system it will improve, just do what the experts tell you and it will get better

[Stuart_scharcarnie in reply to Bigbrian]

Hi Brian, Thanks for your reply glad to hear you're feeling much better now, really positive to hear how you have improved I've gotten over the initial shock of being told now, hopefully now all this has been found out cardiology will take it more seriously now, I've been feeling so I'll for months and months keep fainting banging my head etc it's been awful and felt like no-one was taking me seriously felt so weak and inactive, hopefully I will improve alot with the medication and hopefully the will fit me with a pacemaker, I'm going to religiously listen and do what they tell me too there the experts after all, once again many thanks and regards Stuart

[Shrodie]

I was diagnosed with severe LVSD EF of 28 LBBB and cardiomyopathy 12 months ago, they think my condition is genetic. I had surgery for a CRTD pacemaker and combined with medication i now have normal heart function, if you have LBBB i would ask your cardiologist about a CRTD and whether it could improve things for you

[Stuart_scharcarnie in reply to Shrodie]

Hi Shrodie, Thanks for your reply glad to hear that ur feeling better and your condition has improved yes I think I need to speak to Cardiologists about CRTD as worried that having the LBBB can cause cardiac arrest, just got to see what they can do for me still got to go for more tests so will know more later on. Regards Stuart