Newbie looking for reassurance after heart failure clarification

[Classicfan49]

Recently and quite randomly diagnosed with heart failure, I had an echocardiogram on 7th March. Have been waiting for result as I know there can be several causes. The letter came today:

“Left and right ventricles normal in size and function. Ejection fraction 57%”. (So far, so good?)

“However, there is severe tricuspid regurgitation with a high risk of pulmonary hypertension, which is likely to be the cause of her symptoms.”

My GP is asked to start diuretic therapy and I’ll be reviewed in the heart failure clinic in due course.

I can read about the tricuspid regurgitation and the pulmonary hypertension online, but I’d love to hear from someone who has these conditions. I could do with some reassurance!

I’ve been reading this forum for a few weeks and know what a knowledgeable and helpful bunch you are.

[Froggy]

Hi - waiting for my results from a week ago too. I really want to be able to walk more - no marathons or mountain climbing - just the shops will do! Glad you got your results, this is the starting point for stabilising and or improving. I wish you well, keep us up to date ❤️

[ScoobyDoo71]

Hi, it’s good news that the severe tricuspid regurgitation hasn’t yet affected your right and left heart function. However left untreated it will do. The diuretic won’t fix things it will just ease some of your symptoms.

I would definitely chase the cardiology clinic as it maybe possible to surgically treat the tricuspid regurgitation to prevent any worsening heart damage leading to heart failure or pulmonary hypertension!!! you don’t want either especially if you can prevent them.

The priority is to fix the valve before the damage occurs. That will entail further investigations and discussions with surgical cardiothoracics team.

I don’t want to frighten you but don’t sit back waiting for months for them to contact you as you need a plan in place and if it is a surgical option that’s needed you want to know that you are at least on the waiting list and not waiting forever to even begin with the further investigations.

Make sure you are looking after your teeth as risk of endocarditis with valve disease.

Hope this helps and that I haven’t scared you.

Good luck

[Classicfan49 in reply to ScoobyDoo71]

Thank you for that. Yes, I’m hoping for a surgical solution. I’m already diagnosed with heart failure as it’s what started the whole thing off. I’m thinking that I might consider paying privately for an operation if the wait is a long one.

[Hidden]

Dear Classicfan49

I am so sorry that you have had to find this forum because of your recent diagnosis of heart failure, I hope that you find this space as informative and supportive as I did.

You are so new on your journey that it is hard to be able to give you any pointers to where you are going, I think that once you get your full results that a plan of action will be formed and we could possibly help you more.

First {and a big thing} remember that you are not alone, many on here will have gone through the same procedures and have a similar diagnosis as you and even though we are on the whole are not medically trained, many of us have shared or are sharing your journey { you just have not seen or heard us yet}

The only thing that I can answer ref your questions is the fact that I was placed on heavy duty water tablets { then intravenously } at the beginning of my heart journey and once they kicked in and the water came away from my heart area, I felt so much better, I could breath better etc.

I hope you find all the answers to your questions and please if we can help in anyway just ask.

Take care.

[Letsallhope1]

Hello there,After reading your message I’m so surprised that you hang been offered surgery to repair/replace the tricuspid valve.

The problem with the heart is that if 1 thing starts to go wrong and does not get fixed, will cause a lot more damage.

Please demand to be referred to a good cardiac centre or if you can afford it, pay for a private cardiologist consultation armed with your echocardiogram report.

Unless your actual cardiac centre has a valid reason for not offering surgery (ie. Very unstable overall cardiac situation) I don’t understand why you’re left to get worse.

Wish you all the best