Heart Failure

[Davewm]

Hi all.

Background:- Triple Bypass and Mitral Valve Repair 18 months ago.

I was hospitalised after collapsing recently - BP 84/48 - change of meds after 3 days in hospital - discharged with diagnosis of Heart Failure. Put on Spironolactone.

I’ve been getting more breathless with a continuous cough recently. G P has asked me to do peak flow readings. I’m getting between 550 and 625 so I thought those figures confirm my lungs are ok!

As I’m still getting dizzy occasionally the Cardiologist is writing to the G P to see if he wants to prescribe Midodrine.

Does anyone have any thoughts on this?

Thanks, kind regards

David

[10gingercats]

Spironolactone was given to me to get rid of fluid in lungs and around my heart.A very small dose did the job in4 days!Now on a precautionary dose ....even smaller 12 and a half mgs plu 20 mgs of furosimide daily.It also reduced my weight by quite a few kilos( I was alread) quite slight) and got rid of swollen legs and ankles.

[Davewm in reply to 10gingercats]

Thanks for your reply. I’ve certainly felt a bit better since being on the new meds.Thanks again.

[LHDLondon]

Dear David

Has your cardiologist/GP given you any option to be overseen by a Heart Failure nurse?

Often these highly specialised nurses have more practical experience than some cardiologists and many GPs in prescribing the appropriate meds and balancing their dosages going forward.

Not all areas have good coverage, but if yours has the option my advice is to go for that.

I had heart attack in 2014, open heart mitral repair (failed) in 2016 and open heart again in 2017 (mitral replacement + tricuspid repair), followed by insertion of an ICD pacemaker.

After all that, I have had to learn to live with heart failure. My cardiac nurse has been invaluable, and I was signed off a year and a half ago. I still have their email though if i feel I need to go back. The cardiologist has been a massive fan of the HF nurses.

It's a long journey to learn to live with HF. It's not done overnight, but it can be done. Remain positive, get the meds and the dosage right and then take small steps to recovery to recovery.

Good luck,

L

[Davewm in reply to LHDLondon]

Good morning. Thanks for your reply. What an amazing story. This gives me a lot of hope!Unfortunately there’s been no mention of a Heart Failure Nurse but I will ask about it next time I’m in contact with them.

Thanks again

Kind regards

David

[LHDLondon]

bsh.org.uk/living-with-hear...

[Davewm in reply to LHDLondon]

Thanks.