Newly Diagnosed idiopathic cardiomyopathy and enlarged heart.

[sparklesmark]

Hi

Well it 1.40am in the morning and I can't sleep. I was informed today by the Cardiologist that I idiopathic cardiomyopathy and a moderate to severe enlarged heart. I've had investigations following a "cardiac event ". The CT scan show that my heart vessels are good but the echocardiogram identified idiopathic cardiomyopathy and enlarged heart.

It's all come as a bit of a shock to me! I do get occasional breathlessness when exerting myself but can't say its debilitating. No swollen legs/ankles, but have put weight on and around my abdomen. The Cardiologist had already started me on Bisoprolol 1.25mg and plans to increase this to 2.5mg.

Talking of tablets. I was told I'll need to be on 4 tablets including a water tablet and a diabetic tablet that has been found to be effective in heart failure treatment?

I'm looking for advice and support and hope and inspiration. The Cardiologist told me that with effective treatment I should be able to live a near normal life and there should be no change to life expectancy with treatment.

Looking for online friends to tell me about their experiences please

[Walkingintherain]

Hello, the diagnosis of something unexpected always comes as a shock and I can understand why you feel sleepless. The prognosis from the Cardiologist is positive, hold on to that.You’ll still worry for a bit though, it’s only natural.

I had open heart surgery 23 years ago, like you worried for a while to start with but got into the swing of things and then life became normal.

Take each day at a time, eat well, exercise as you can and try to clear negative thoughts (difficult at times I know!) by talking and sharing and be kind to yourself.

[TigerLizzy]

Bisoprolol will help but in small doses are better its my least favourite. Water tablets are usual plus beta blockers and sometimes more. Try pills for 6 weeks and keep a diary of how you feel, side effects and take BP 2 x per day morning and evening so you can discuss with Dr. It takes a long time to get your medication right for you personally so don't worry ok

[sparklesmark in reply to TigerLizzy]

Hi there. Thanks for your response. I had already been prescribed a small dose of Bisoprolol 1.25mg (the original thinking was anxiety) That was increased to 2.5mg yesterday. They were originally talking about water tablets. But I'm going to be started on Entresto which apparently has the diletic properties of water tablets. Apparently my EF is 46 and my heart moderately enlarged, but they sound really hopeful medication will be effective. Having read about Entresto the outcomes of this medication appear good. Hope this is the case for me. Will be keeping a diary too. I'm still in the early days of diagnosis and whilst my EF could have been worse (from what I've read) my emotions are still all over the place.