Low EF of 35 following a heart attack (shocked &scared)

[Fill1]

Hi I’ve just suffered a heart attack and had 2 stents fitted as an emergency. I then had an echo scan and whilst expecting some damage, I was devastated to be told my reading was 35% I’m told there’s a possibility the result might improve at the 2nd test (think they said 8 weeks, could have been 12) if I make changes to my lifestyle and take my meds is it realistic to expect an improvement

[Hidden]

Just to add, even with muscle damage, the heart is capable of compensating and recovering, if and how much varies in everyone.

I had a SCA (Sudden Cardiac Arrest) x5, just over 3 years ago, damage to heart muscle was quite bad.

I can’t remember the numbers exactly, but EF was ~12% just after SCA,

1yr later it was ~35%,

the last 2 echo’s have been ~45%, which is probably as good as I can hope for, normal is >=50%

[Fill1 in reply to Hidden]

Thanks Gas, that’s a big improvement, the doctor didn’t seem ver encouraging about a change so it’s great to hear from youKeep well

[Hidden in reply to Fill1]

The initial reading post event is (hopefully) the worst it will be.

You don’t say much about yourself, but obvious things like age, prior fitness, diet etc have an impact on recovery.

And if necessary, changes to exercise (as advised)/diet etc along with your meds will help long term.

[Fill1 in reply to Hidden]

Hi Gaz, male 64 either driving or sitting at my computer, overweight and unfit, regular but not excessive alcohol use, non smoker so its really encouraging to hope that by making the changes you all talk about I can see that improvement by my next echo

[Stag1 in reply to Hidden]

Hi

Great to hear your improvement, did you have ICD fitted by?

[SpiritoftheFloyd]

Hello and welcome to the forum

I had a heart attack/cardiac arrest in December 2018, echo showed EF of 30%, really frightening to be told you have heart failure. The phrase itself is terrible, our hearts are not failing they just need a bit of help in pumping blood around our bodies. I've completely changed my lifestyle, stopped smoking, hardly drink, changed to a good diet, lost weight - bmi now down to 22.8 and exercise, good quality sleep and avoid stress and my EF is now 40-45%.

I think we all get obsessed about EF, I certainly did initially, although the more important factor is how a patient lives with the condition. It's quite common for one person to have an EF of 45% but be out of breadth after walking 300 metres, while someone else could have an EF of 20% and have no symptoms at all. The medics tend to look at how a patient copes by looking at the New York Heart Association classification system, link below :-

heart.org/en/health-topics/...

The BHF produce a good booklet on the subject of heart failure which will answer a lot of the questions you're likely to have, link below:-

bhf.org.uk/informationsuppo...

I know what you mean when you said to Gaz that the doctors don't seem very encouraging about an improvement, all they said to me was - "don't worry we can manage it with medication". I think we all have different recovery paths that depend on a huge number of factors so I don't think they can say with any certainty what the recovery will look like so try to play down the expectations.

Hopefully you will soon get offered cardio rehab, which should be re-opening - I'd really recommend rehab it does make a massive difference - physically and mentally. The rehab where I live also included a lot a educational talks on all aspects of heart conditions which are very helpful - hopefully these exist where you live.

Best wishes for your future recovery.

[Fill1 in reply to SpiritoftheFloyd]

Thanks for your message it really is good to hear from someone who’s been through it, I will be making the changes I need to my lifestyle and I’ll look forward to feeling better for it regardless of the number

[Hidden in reply to Fill1]

Just don’t rush things like exercise, follow/seek advice from the medical professionals.

Remember you need to rest to help recovery.

[Fill1 in reply to Hidden]

Thanks for the advice, I’ve just been with the heart failure nurse and she wasn’t sure when I could start walking, but suppose it’s better they’re honest than guess, I think lack of exercise has been my big downfall, but I’ll take your advice and start gently really appreciate the response, must admit I was in shock yesterday but looking forward to moving on now

[Hidden]

Exactly what I was told by my GP & Cardiologist “it’s just a number”, I never had any symptoms even when EF was 35%.

Now at ~45% I am as fit, if not fitter aerobically than I was pre-event.

[Hidden]

Sadly I did, not Olympic by any means, but I would say I was very fit.

Mine was mostly due to the hereditary factor, my dad died aged 42 from HA, so I outlasted him by 18 years 😉 and counting 😇

[GracieOS]

Yes, improvement is definitely possible. I'm nearly 3 years into my heart failure journey. When diagnosed my EF was low to mid 30s, I wasn't given an exact figure. 2 years later, last September, it was over 50 and back in the normal range, low end but still normal. Just take the drugs you are prescribed, they can be be changed if you don't get on with any, mine had to be changed, take regular moderate exercise and watch what you eat and drink. Healthy life style choices basically. The drugs really do help, it can take a while to get them right for you but stick with it.

Good luck and best wishes.

[Fill1 in reply to GracieOS]

Hi Gracie, Many thanks for your reply, following the first replies yesterday I was really encouraged. I was discharged late yesterday and when I climbed the stairs for bed I could hardly breathe, so this morning I woke feeling a little sorry for myself, so your story has helped get me back in the right frame of mind, I’m looking forward to a gentle walk to the top of the road laterRegards

[GracieOS in reply to Fill1]

Take care and best wishes

[Misstibbs]

Hi Fill1 - it’s a bit of a shock but you can improve it over time, mine was 35 but with regular exercise within your own limitations it can improve, I’m now up to an EF of 48 after a HA and stent.

[Fill1 in reply to Misstibbs]

Hi Misstibbs, wonderful to hear about your improvement, it’s my first morning home and your message has really helped lift me

[Misstibbs in reply to Fill1]

You’ll do it have faith in yourself 👍👏👍

[LMD1986]

I had HA with no cause found in February and had EF of 35%. Had another echocardiogram two weeks ago and my EF is back to normal 55-60%. It can be done. I was fit before taking no medication so it was a shock but believe me it can improve. Take the meds and walk and take care. Follow all the advice - good luck 🙂

[Fill1 in reply to LMD1986]

Hi , this is my first morning out of hospital, so woke feeling a little down. It’s fantastic to read your story and believe me it really helped, thank you

[Tvpuzzle]

It certainly is. My husband has Ha and, stents fitted and after 18 months of lifestyle and meds he has improved from 32% to 48% He is doing OK but your heart needs time to recover so give yourself time. They were talking about inserting a, defrib device but with the improvement have decided not too. So you can improve but lifestyle changes are important. Diet. no smoking exercise and tablets. You will be, scared that's, normal but stay positive and take your time to recover. The damage can repair overtime. Take care

[Fill1 in reply to Tvpuzzle]

Hi thank you for your message, it’s great to hear your husband is doing so well, I’m certainly going to do everything possible to help my recovery and your story has really helped me

[Tvpuzzle in reply to Fill1]

Hope it's helped a little bit. Look out for possible weird things with the tablets too like seeing things that aren't there. They never warn you about it. We had all sorts floating about the house ha. I am thinking of you and remember take it slowly and every day you will get a little more stronger. My husband was back in the farm within a month. So there is life after a HA but makes you rethink what life style you can change for the better. Let us all know your progress we here for you I really got brilliant advice and tips on this site to help him

[Fill1 in reply to Tvpuzzle]

Thanks so much, the positivity here is helping me no end, I really hope to be able to post news of improvements over the coming weeks and months, hope you both keep well

[Bigheart58]

I am 63, slightly overweight and not very fit. My EF was also 35% after my HA last year. It has since improved a lot since then thanks to the meds, regular moderate exercise and a healthy diet. It is now 40-45%.

You need to be patient and try to minimise the levels of stress as well. We are all different but you can certainly expect to see a significant recovery over time if you follow the medical advice.

Best of luck!

[Fill1 in reply to Bigheart58]

Thanks very much, it’s great to hear all these positive stories, I’ll do all the right things and hope to be able to achieve similar results Take care

[Cookie2020]

Hi thereFirst off all stop panicking and take a deep breath.(how do you feel)

As you are a new to this just take your time and take all the info in and slowly ‘slowly it will seem much clearer and the you can start to rebuild your way off life.

Good Luck 👍

[Fill1]

Hi , a deep breath is probably the most difficult thing at the moment, last night was first home, and couldn’t believe how breathless I was, but thanks for the advice I’m going to try my first short walk soon

[winniebago]

Always been really fit but in December 2020 had a TIA. No clots found, had angiogram - no stents required. Still puzzling the medics. It was identified that my right heart chamber is operating perfectly, all heart valves fine, formerly never had blood pressure problems. However my left side showed refraction of 35 per cent and classified as moderate to severe heart failure. I have been self funding since I found the NHS response shockingly slow - no fault of theirs due to Covid. This morning after 6 months I paid for another cardiogram and my refraction is now 40 per cent. New classification now moderate. I am over the moon. Prepare all my own food and have followed a very strict regime since I am also managing my own cholesterol. Another appointment made today for end of October. I take a blood thinner, 12 mgs of Candesartan and 1.25 mg of Bisoprolol daily. Good luck. Probably be a long slog but we need to give it our best shot! Very best wishes.

[Fill1]

Hi, congratulations that’s a great improvement, your point about paying for a cardiogram is interesting, I asked whether I would have any routine scans and told unlikely, the scan I had was an echo ultrasound, is it relatively easy to obtain your own scan. Good luck and hope you continue to do well

[winniebago in reply to Fill1]

Good morning Fill1. I have been going to one of the Spires Group Hospitals. Checked out the choices of Consultants and chose a top notch guy. Jeremy Butts - interesting career/experience - he’s on Wikipedia. Was advised by my normal doctors to make sure I chose someone who operates within the NHS as well as doing private congratulations. They also advised me to keep all NHS appointments - however not been a problem since I’m in the 4 million backlog queue!! Charges £140 per consultation and I’ve had 7 so far. Lucky I can pay, am 78, a widow and live alone. Been worth it to me since my Doctors have been very accommodating re having a private guy on board. He writes a full report to them, copy to me, after every consultation and they adjust any medication as he recommends. Doctors told me it was important to stay in the NHS loop but quite frankly am currently still waiting for NHS Cardio appointment. I have spent just over £4,000 to date but to me it’s been worth it (big chunk on private angiogram £2,450!). BUT now I can hopefully carry on for six months and am comforted/ encouraged by my news yesterday. To me it’s better than worrying at 2 am in the morning if I can’t sleep. So what if I’m spending holiday cash on my health. Would rather give my health the best shot. Good luck - not easy I know - but try and keep positive. 👍

[Fill1 in reply to winniebago]

Hi, thanks for the information it’s very useful, I used the local spire last year for another matter, my concern at the moment (and I’m trying not to worry about) is that I was traveling when I had my HA and subsequent procedure, I spoke to the doctor about transferring my care nearer to home. The advice was first appointments with them then transfer, agreed that seems sensible, however the next day my HF nurse said she needed to make arrangements for a local community HF nurse, she came back and said one of my local trusts, not the one I’d told her about wanted everything transferred now even though things weren’t back to normal post Covid. I’m sure it must be worth the peace of to get access to consultations and testing.I have medical insurance but although they will probably cover stabilisation of a chronic condition they won’t pay for treatment of chronic conditions. Having said all that the NHS has provided wonderful emergency care and hopefully the appointments will soon start to flow through

Take care

[winniebago in reply to Fill1]

Will be trying my best! Sounds like you possibly live in less populated area than me. Currently doing surge testing where I am and Indian variant Covid numbers rising! Fun lovers and anti vaxers have been doing a good job where I live in filling up doctors/hospitals causing longer delays for cancer/heart and other relatively urgent patients. Good luck with everything.

[DiggyDoggy]

Please ask your doctor about Entresco is best for you if you are not already on it. Entrosco has good results in increasing EF for many people.

[Fill1 in reply to DiggyDoggy]

Hi I’ve read a little about it, no it’s not been prescribed, but I’ll certainly ask about it