Hi everybody. This is my first time posting. I am a 57yr old lady. I went to hospital for some tests yesterday and was devastated when I was told the test could not be done as they had found out I was suffering from heart failure! I felt like I had been handed a death sentence! I was told to go home and get in touch with my gp who would give me a prescription for Ramipril and Bisoprolol which I was to start immediately. I have been given a telephone appt with a cardiologist on Thurs. I understand that it's very early days but I wondered if anyone could give me any advice on what I might expect, am I overly worrying as I am sure all this anxiety cannot be helping me. I don't want to Google it as I want to be sure of what I am reading and not cause myself any more stress. I would welcome any advice anybody is able to offer. Thanks x
Am I over worrying?: Hi everybody. This... - British Heart Fou...
Am I over worrying?
Hello 
I really feel for you and even though some might say you are over worrying of course been told something like this for so many would make them worry
I know it will be difficult as there is nothing worse than waiting to hear what someone has found as the mind thinks the worst scenario possible and please do not Google as Google and I am guilty of it is our worst enemy , it does not have our medical history , results or anything but spits out the worst case scenario , again hard to resist but you will not come of feeling any better so try and resist
It is Wednesday tomorrow and then get through that and you will get your call so not long at all to wait
Whatever they say the things they can do if and at the moment it is an if they need to they will and they are so good at what they do so you are in the best possible hands
You could try and it may not feel like it but to see this as a positive had you not gone for tests yesterday you would have never known and then who knows what might have happened so someone is looking after you
You are now a part of this Community and people will be there to support you so you are not alone
Let us know after your call how it went x
Thank you so much. I guess I will just need to be patient but it's good to knw this group is here to beable to chat with people who have been where you are so thanks for your support x
You will be ok , everything will get sorted x
Yes do let us know how it went
Welcome to the hearties group.I am so impressed that you have already grasped that Dr Google is unhelpful.
Yes I bet you are stressed out, if you can calm down that will be good.
Easier said than done.
So wait for the advice on Thursday then re evaluate.
Cardiology is impressive.
When the medics find you need treatment, they will treat you. In the meantime,
you need a lot of patience.
Best wishes
Colin
Hello Jaskei
Welcome to the forum, getting a diagnosis of heart failure is devastating. Heart Failure is such a terrible name really it’s just our pump needs a bit of help.
They will want to run some tests, an ECG and echocardiogram and maybe a angiogram. Once your cardiologist as all the data he/she will have a better idea of the best way forward.
Please don’t use Dr Goggle his information is out of date or completely wrong. Use the NHS website or BHF. If you have any questions just post there are so many members who have stood where you are standing now and will be happy to try and help.
Best wishes Pauline
Google is a phenomenal resource, but the thing to always remember about it is that its primary function is commercial. It makes money by selling advertising and the most prominent results go to the highest bidders. In the health sphere that means to medics and hospitals, mainly in America, where healthcare is a completely open market. So when you search any illness or condition, your results will be headed by institutions wanting to draw you in by catastrophising your prognosis to induce you to make that click or call. It's big business. Try to stick to NHS sites or documents written by academics who are not pushing a vested interest. Even then, don't assume that your case is like the worst one you read about. Good luck!
That term heart failure should be banned. It's horrible and terrifies people. It means your heart needs a bit of help which is readily available. Why not phone the BHF nurses tomorrow on 0300 330 3311 and they will explain it and help put your mind at rest. Talk to your GP Too. My mum developed heart failure when pregnant with me. She had eclampsia. Back then ( 1950s) t here was NO treatment. She was never given a tablet in her life. She was just told she should never have a general anaesthetic. She lived a completely normal life of a normal length ( and she smoked woodbines like a chimney and had a hip replacement by epidural.)
Thank you for this, I didn't realise you could call to speak to a nurse! 😊
Hi. Just to add, you can also email the BHF nurses, if you find that easier. Details are on the BHF website, which is itself very helpful.I emailed the nurses twice when I was first diagnosed and looking for answers. They responded very quickly.
And don't hold back asking for help on this forum, as you have already seen, a lot of people are here with experience.
Best wishes.
Hello, and great to see you on the forum, and joining us hearties. I can’t really add anything to the great replies you have already had, suffice to say, anytime you need a metaphorical ear, we are here for you. Take good care and get through tomorrow and then you will get some answers. Please let us know how you get on. Judi
The medical profession have a knack of scaring the sh@&£dit out of you with their phrases like HEART FAILURE !!!!!! it just means the heart is not performing at its maximum. Those meds will help and you may feel better on them. I think if they found anything very serious you would not have sent home for a telephone conversation , you would have been rushed to a cardio ward. Take it easy and welcome to the ramiprel and bisoprolol club
Hi Jackie we same age I’m also on same pills. If I were you just ring heart and they will explain everything even send you a email with suggestions food to eat etc but most of all try not to worry. I easily said than done.
I remember when the cardiologist told me. LOL, he then went on to explain that it is a terrible name for the condition because just using that name can be so scary for the patient. I got the diagnosis after a very traumatic 18 months including a cancer diagnosis with 12 months of treatments and procedures for that, a heart attack and then after a few months on from that another blue light ambulance trip with severe breathing problems. So to then be told I had heart failure was a wee bit scary. But, now for the good news, after the heart attack, the hospital continued doing all sorts of tests and said they might want to add more stents but were waiting for me to build up strength a bit and also all the covid stuff, so my entry to the Cardiac rehab scheme was delayed. My body was in a fairly weak state, mainly because of all the other traumas.
The rehab also was affected by covid procedures, but in the end a few weeks after my last stay in hospital, I had an appointment with the rehab nurse and she got me started on Mhealth rehab app.
I have been using it slowly and carefully. Before I started it, I was an old man shuffling along with my walking stick, barely able to make it to the supermarket for my daily shop. But each morning, and now evening as well, I do my 30 minute walk around my tiny flat, twice a week now I do the exercise video on the app.
I would say I am now fitter than I have been for 2 or more years. My walking stick is banished to the back of a cupboard and I stride out confidently each day to do my shopping and carry it home in a bag instead of a shopping trolley!
Yes, I know that diagnosis is very scary. Wish they would rename it! But I started from a very low point, healthwise, and look at me now! It is 6 months, almost to the day, since I had that scary episode with the heart failure. I was traumatised then! I feel at least 10 years younger now.
Hello, you’ve had a huge shock and it’ll take time to get your head around it all. Worrying is very natural and normal, so don’t worry about over-worrying. When you have some understanding about your own heart condition, the meds you’ve been prescribed settle in and you’ve had any tests the cardiologist wants it’ll all become clearer. It takes time though so please, please try not to think it’s all doom and gloom coming your way, because it won’t be.
Best wishes to you and your loved ones.
Hi Jaskei, BeKind28 is spot on. This is the best case scenario where this condition has been found and I have no doubt, will be dealt with. I found out my condition before it was worse and of course am glad as goodness knows what? I feel very fortunate. Don't worry, let the docs do their magic, you will be fine.
Heart failure is a rather outdated term - and rightly so. Please don't panic until you have had a consultation with a cardiologist and some basic investigations to confirm a diagnosis. Let us know how it goes with your telephone consultation.
Best wishes
I just wanted to say thank you for your response to my post. I spoke with my cardiologist today and he confirmed heart failure with reduce fraction from the echo I had. I need another med adding to the 2 I have already started. I need an angiogram now to see if they can find a cause for this and until I have this and a couple of other tests then he can't really tell me much more. At least I have started on the meds and hopefully won't have to many side effects. The one thing I did want to ask is when I was reading up about Ramipril I found some information that states you should avoid bananas, oranges and green leafy veg? Does anybody else follow this? Thanks again for your support x
Hi I take 10mg Ramipril per day as well as Apixaban and verapamil. I eat all of those foods and have never been told to avoid them. The only food I avoid is grapefruit because of the verapamil. Do not worry about the angiogram it is painless and they usually offer a relaxant. I found it fascinating watching the screens but some people prefer not to. Just a bit of bruising afterwards. Good luck
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