Newly diagnosed heart failure

[Pollytee]

I have just had a diagnosis of heart failure after a collapse at home and various tests. This has knocked me for six as up until the collapse I was unaware of any health issues at all! I'm 48 , married with 3 kids and had a "normal" busy life .I have had great care from the local hospital and the cardiology team and have been referred to the heart failure nurse. I'm trying to adapt to taking meds and now that I have an actual diagnosis feel that I can face this. My worry however is that everything I read gives a very poor prognosis in terms of life expectancy. This is terrifying for me and despite feeling I can approach this positively and practically , this info is destroying me!

[080311]

Morning Pollytee

When any of us have a diagnosis of a heart issue it’s as if the ground as opened up under our feet. I am a lot older than you but like you had never had any health problems.

You say in your post “ from what I have read “hope you weren’t reading Dr Google! His information is either out of date or just plain wrong. Either use BHF or the NHS web site. Having a diagnosis of heart failure those words are so scary but really it’s your pump just needs a bit of help.

You sound as if you are being well taken care of by your cardio team, follow a good diet lots of us follow the Mediterranean diet recommended by BHF it’s not a diet as such but a healthy way of eating, something the whole family can follow. Makes your life easier with 3 children😂

Remember you are now part of the Hearties family and we are here if you need to talk or lend a shoulder to lean on if that’s what you need.

We have lots of members who have had the diagnosis of heart failure and are still here 20 years +.

Best wishes Pauline

[MichaelJH Heart Star in reply to 080311]

Hello and welcome to the forum!

Pauline has given you a good reply. I can only re-emphasise that great care is needed with Dr Google as outcomes have improved over the years so a 1995 piece of research can be virtually meaningless!

Your heart has not failed but is not working as well as it should go. I think the term Heart Failure should be replaced by Heart Insufficiency!

[ahk59]

Hi thereLike you I expected the worst when I was diagnosed about 8 years ago,I was in hospital for 3 weeks and given lots of meds to take.At first I could only manage a few steps without being exhausted.Present day I'm still on all meds and do my daily walks with no problem,feel as if I dont have any heart issues at all at lead full and active life,I havnt even saw my GP for over 4 years now.All best to you

[Hidden]

It’s a natural reaction to feel anxious hearing the diagnosis ‘heart failure’ but my understanding through my husbands ill health is that heart failure is an umbrella term which describes many issues that can occur in the heart - some serious ,some not so - heart isn’t functioning on its own at 100%. My husband was given his heart failure diagnosis in March this year and he / we have a 12 yr old son. Up until end of 2019 my husband never got a cold or the flu but got diagnosed with advanced mitral valve disease. Surgery in July last year was successful, should have been discharged from cardiologist but suffered irreparable damage to one side of heart during surgery , two cardiac arrest, developed AF and has an ICD fitted. Controlled with meds his heart is functioning. And that’s where understanding what your own issues with your heart are and why you have been classed as having heart failure. Ask questions, ask to be referred to a cardiac support nurse , correct knowledge will help you emotionally carry on - I know someone classed as living with heart failure and they received that diagnosis 20 yrs ago. My husband hasn’t been given a shorter life span just altered but medicines are very well developed now. Good luck