I’d really like to here the experiences of some of you, so my dads mid 50s and has been suffering from a persistent cough for a few months, as well as shortness of breath and has had some ankle swelling. He’s had a chest x Ray and ecg and has an echocardiogram tomorrow. They’ve said he’s got a fib which we knew anyway, and mentioned an enlarged heart.
however the doctor has also prescribed antibiotics for a chest infection.
I’m just worrying that it’s something like heart failure and if it then how to manage this. I don’t like not knowing what the future holds and it’s really stressing me out . I’ve done the bad thing and googled and it just doesn’t sound good what I’m reading.
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Snowydragon
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It sounds like your Dad is in good hands and getting all the tests done to find out what is going of
These professionals now can do such wonderful things try not to worry to much
Maybe it is not always best to know what the future holds none of us do and no one even fit and healthy knows what the future holds
Take this a day at a time a test at a time and try and stay in the now knowing your Dad is in more than capable hands
You know already what Google does hard to resist I know but please come and talk with us and leave Google alone it only ever tells us the worst scenario and remember it does not have your Dad's tests results and neither can Google examine him so ignore what you have read
Others when they see your post will be able to give you some great advise and I hope you will let us know how your Dad gets on x
I’m sorry to hear about your dad but it sounds as though he is being thoroughly checked out. His symptoms sound similar to what my mum had. In her case it turned out to be heart failure, as well as AF. I was very upset, as Dr Google did not predict a good outcome but I am delighted to say that she was put on medication and is still going strong and very much in charge 10 years later - she’s 87!😊
I know it’s hard but try not to consult Dr Google, he’s really not your friend in this situation. Let the medics do their tests and take things a step at a time.
It can be a scary and emotional time for you both.
I am a late 50s dad who collapsed with a heart attack and had a stent fitted the same day about 4 weeks ago.
With the medics being able to conduct tests is a great thing, every cardiac specialist especially the nurses have been absolutely outstanding, with information, answering questions.
My second day of recovery I was given some leaflets from the BHF, the nurse said the no1 thing I must not do is hit Google search as it is more liable to increase levels of anxiety, the BHF site has a wealth of factual information and advice.
Don’t look for diagnosis, the medics do that, concern and anxiety is understandable.
My life has changed, in some ways strange to say for the better, diet, outlook etc, I know what I need to do rather than what I should do as the case was before.
I can well understand how worried you are, but it sounds like you will get a clearer, fuller picture very soon.
I love Google, because I like to get all the up to date information I can. It’s great if you are one of those people who likes to know it all. If you aren’t and it makes you really worried (and the research roughly divides us into these two camps) then perhaps best not to, and just wait to hear from the professionals only what’s relevant to him, and how they can help.
It’s also really hard work worrying for someone else you care about. I think carers have the roughest time.,,…watching and worrying, and they can feel a bit helpless ……while the patient is busy having to just get on with it!
The term "heart failure" is such a bad one. It means inefficiency rather than complete failure. Modern medication can work wonders, as those of us that have had it for several years can vouch for.
Your father is obviously getting the right help, so just encourage him to keep on with it, and don't rely on Dr Google!
This could also be heart valve problems. The words heart failure, conjure up all sorts ..... but a whole lot of heart problems are very sortable or controllable so please don't jump to conclusions. Our minds are great at conjuring up all sorts when we are in fact not the experts but good at imagining!!. Im sure your dad will be in safe hands. Try not to self diagnose from Google....its likely to be something completely different . I know it's worrying but let the experts take that on board for you. I hope you get some answers sooner rather than later. Let us know how it goes x
Hi, Your dad's position sounds very much as I was last year, when diagnosed with Heart Failure.
I also have AF, I'd had a persistent cough for months, constantly getting pumped full of steroids and antibiotics to no avail, severe breathlessness, coughing up clear phlegm, and swelling in legs and face.
I had an ECG at A&E and xrays, they couldn't find anything, other than there was a change in my chest from a previous xray 6 months earlier. Two weeks later I had an Echo and as it turns out from that I was diagnosed with HF. However my Cardiologist wasn't happy with the xray or the extent of my breathlessness so I then had a CT Scan. The scan showed that I also had fluid in my chest, around the lungs and heart, a condition called a Plural Effusion. I'd never had a Chest Infection for what I was being treat for by the GP.
Fifteen months on medication, and I feel better now than I've done for a very long time. I'm still in Heart Failure range, but, it's improved hugely.
They will find out what's going on with your dad, just as they did with me. I hope my story helps.
With the exception of an enlarged heart, I have had the same symptoms as your dad for a very long time and, like you, I always worry about Heart Failure. However, there is a blood test which will show HF very quickly and, in my case, the results show that I definitely DON'T have it!
I know we are all different and your dad's heart condition may be very different from mine, but I just wanted you to know that (a) you aren't the only one who worries about these symptoms and (b) the symptoms don't necessarily mean Heart Failure.
If - and it's a big IF - your father is diagnosed with HF after all, it is NOT a death sentence! It just means his heart isn't working quite as efficiently as it should. People can live full and active lives with HF for many years, depending on the cause of it. If the cause can be treated, then they may have no further problem at all.
Please try not to worry too much (easier said than done, I know) as it really does sound as though your dad is in good hands.
thanks so much for your answers everyone it’s really helped me! The lady doing his scan earlier said he seems like he has a really fast heart rate and that could be causing these problems
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