Grade 1 diastolic dysfunction, heart failure.

[winnabago]

Recently diagnosed with grade 1 diastolic dysfunction by a echocardiogram. I would like to know your experiences with this disease, what should I expect, how fast does it go to grade 4. I am 78 and looking at heart failure, very anxious, and am looking for ideas. Thank you for your assistance.

[fergusthegreat]

Hi,

Admittedly I'm only 56 and I don't know what influence age has on progression but I was diagnosed with grade 1 heart failure 5 years ago. I was prescribed blood pressure medication and told that the condition was reversible at stage 1.

Within the last 6 weeks I have ran two half marathons so it seems to be OK 😊

[winnabago in reply to fergusthegreat]

I am on blood med's controlling any high blood pressure, sounds like you are doing really good.

[woodbon]

Hello'I have heart failure with heart valve disease. This was diagnosed 6 years ago and I was given medication for blood pressure and 1 8 months after my heart functon was much better. Of course, heart failure cannot be cured but with medication and treatment, it can be slowed and sometimes leads to an improved quality of life. I personally hate the term 'heart failure' as it sounds really frightening and it is used to cover lots of different heart problems.

I suppose their is a good reason for using it, but my cardiologist talks in terms of the heart problems causing it, which is what I prefer personelly. Try not to worry!

[winnabago in reply to woodbon]

Thank you

[firstlight40]

Hi there, when I had an echo the day after my mild heart attack the notes said I had grade 1 diastolic dysfunction. I asked the cardiologist about this and he said that at 56 he'd be surprised if I didn't show signs of it. He told me it was due to the heart muscle being slightly stiff due to age and also due to my blood pressure being high (unsurprising given the stress of being in hospital). Clearly one person's diagnosis may not apply to you but if he's right getting to 76 with grade 1 diastolic dysfunction doesn't sound too bad!

[winnabago in reply to firstlight40]

Thank you for your comments, I read somewhere that 100% of people who have reached sixty years of age have some form of diastolic dysfunction. I am 78.

[fergusthegreat in reply to winnabago]

Heart failure is such a scary term but it simply means that you're heart doesn't pump as efficiently as it used to.However, getting to 78 and being only grade 1 is amazing, please try not to worry about it, you're doing much better than most people 😊

[winnabago in reply to fergusthegreat]

Thank you for the positive words, I really appreciate it.

[84green]

Hi winabago.

I have mild diastolic dysfunction (I’m 58) and was told by the cardiologist that this is a very common finding in people aged over 60.

In the absence of any symptoms, try not to worry and follow your doctor’s advice. It is far from certain that it will progress.

Best wishes

[winnabago in reply to 84green]

Thank you for replying.