Overwhelmed

[guineacat]

So in the last 2 days I've been diagnosed with heart failure. I'm feeling overwhelmed at the moment I am trying not to overthink everything. Was told the list of 5 medications I will be taking but to be honest it didn't register! It's strange because now every little twinge I get I am worrying about. I am guessing everyone feels the same but any advice gratefully accepted.

[RufusScamp]

As many of us have said, often, "heart failure" is such a bad name. I felt exactly as you described, told I had severe heart failure. It just means your heart is not as efficient as it should be, not that it is giving up immediately.

The fear of twinges is what we all feel, but it wears off with time. The latest medication can be of great help in many cases. I have recently been discharged by my cardiologist, as my ejection fraction has improved from 20% to 60%, well in the good range.

Depending on the cause, there are a variety of good treatments available. I would recommend you follow advice on diet, exercise and medication, and you should have many happy years ahead of you.

Do keep in touch via this group. Best wishes.

[Czech_Mate]

I find it difficult to talk to others about my condition when I feel I don't understand it myself properly. I had a tough time yesterday afternoon but I'm determined to be positive today. There are plenty of positive people on here.

"Heart failure" is a very dramatic term. I think probably over-dramatic. I'm no expert myself but I found this link which could be helpful: heart.org/en/health-topics/...

Wishing you a positive day today.

CM

[Hidden]

Dear guineacat

Thank you for your first post and what a sad one it is that will have memories for many on here.

The dreaded words " heart failure " let me tell you exactly what my Cardiologist told me that meant.

Basically it is given to any situation where the heart is not performing at its given best by age, he said that following the rules set down in diagnosis that most will have a decrease in heart function with age { not all }

So now you will begin a barrage of tests to find out, what is not only going on with your heart but what the plan of your help will be.

You are now tuned into your heart { something that most of us take for granted } and it is natural to worry and be concerned about the way it sounds and how it is functioning.

You are not alone, but armed with more information you can begin to get answers as you move along the bus of recovery.

We will be with you every step of the way.

Take care,

[francesw47]

Hello Guineacat

Sorry to hear that you have had this shock, which would unnerve anyone. Heart Failure is a dreadful term as it sounds full of doom. In reality it simply means that your heart, for whatever reason, isn't pumping blood as efficiently as it used to. I prefer to call it HF. I too was shocked when I got the results of the BNP blood test through - or at least the text from the GP surgery asking me to make an appointment to see a Dr. Given that I knew what was being looked for, I knew the significance of that text. My mind went into overdrive. But it was a relief to know that I wasn't being over cautious and what I was experiencing was real. I have had pretty good care but HF is an unpredictable thing. There are weeks when I feel on top of the world and others when I feel dreadful (tired, my ankles puff up, and I get a lot of chest pain which the cardiologist thinks might be microvascular angina) so I slow down. I work 2 days per week (sedentary work) and lead a pretty full life. I walk for exercise (walk with purpose not potter), eat a Mediterranean diet, and watch my weight and get plenty of rest Yes it does mean seeing medics somewhat more frequently (but there are other things going on) than I would like and just being slightly more mindful of not tiring myself out - but overall it has not been the disaster I first imagined it might be when I got that text. There is a load of information on the BHF website and the Pumping Marvellous Foundation are also awesome and have been really helpful. One of the other things I did was to find out as much as I could about it - knowledge is power and all that.......but I never, never Google. Stick to reputable sites.

We are here with you, but please let us know how you progress.

[uzininemm]

Hello gunieacat, to use a common phase to me been there got the tea shirt, sorry if it sounds flippant but 15 months ago I was lying in hospital when I was told I had heart failure, I didn't know why and my first feelings were I want to go home to die (I thought I had days to live).

15 months on I do not have my health as before, but with the medication eating well, limiting my fluid intake and exercise I have improved considerably and feel (most of the time) quite positive and am able to get out about do the garden etc.

My advice based on my experiences would be -

1) Don't forget you are being looked after and your medics have your best interest at heart.(it does sound if you are on the same no of meds to me).

2) Only read from what I call 'approved sites' like BHF and Pumping Marvellous the charity for heart failure people (Look under the news articles and find the one from earlier this year Living well with heart failure report 2022. Link attached pumpingmarvellous.org/about...

3) Set yourself challenges, they don't have to be big, I found they did me good physically and most importantly mentally.

You should be told to exercise what I would say from my experience is don't overdo things, build up gradually and make sure you have rest days (that part came from my heart nurse).

4) If you have not been offered do ask about getting on a NHS led heart rehab. They are very good and well worth the time and effort.

I wish you well and remember there is always someone on here for advice.

[R3mi]

Hi Guineacat.

You may think It is no good hearing platitudes when you feel vulnerable or confused but the reality is this your heart hasn’t failed it is still beating ok it has slowed down a little but then every part of our bodies have got slower yet we don’t become obsessed with it it is part of moving forward. I bet there are times through the day that it doesn’t cross your mind yet you have sailed through this period of anger laughter discussing and making the beds. The medicine out there today really works it is just like taking a paracetamol and get on with what we are doing. This is the same. You are in a very select group of people who are living each day with no real dramas other than life itself. know that everyone in this situation is continuing to beat the odds life throws up each day. You will be ok get back on the forum in 2-3 months then look back and see how you got on over that period I bet you finally realise what was all the pointless worry about. See you then.

[Diddyd]

I would highly recommend the pumping marvellous web site for you and your family and friends.

It is excellent and can help you process your own thoughts on your diagnosis.

Pacing yourself and learning your limitations helps and it still means you can do activities that you enjoy.

Wishing you well

[Grayjay]

30 years down the line for me having my first heart attack. I say don't worry, take your meds, keep reasonably fit and watch your diet. You should be well supported by your local coronary team. Good luck and stay well X.

[Qualipop]

Heart Failure is a horrible term. It sounds as if your heart is suddenly going to pack up. It isn't. It simply means it's not working as well as it should. There are now wonderful medications to maintain the heart's function or even improve it. DO ask your GP to explain it all to you; how it will affect you, how the tablets will work and just how bad it is. My mum had Eclampsia when pregnant with me in her twenties and it damaged her heart. This was 75 years ago and there was no treatment for it but she lived through another pregnancy ( eclampsia again) completely without treatment until she was 69. Back then she was simply told to carry on as normal but never have a general anaesthetic. She also smoked heavily ( Woodbines) all her life. I've no idea why she didn't get any treatment later in life; maybe the doctors just forgot about it. It's 34 years since she died so maybe treatment then was still poor. She had a hip replacement by epidural and walked her dogs every day. Obviously every person is different and the effects will vary but it is not an immediate death sentence.

[Anon2023]

hi. I’m so sorry that you are going through this. Like Rufus Scanp said, it’s an awful term that strikes fear into most people. Heart inefficiency is probably a more realistic and kinder term. I was told over the phone in March that I had heart failure and then had to wait months to see the hf team. All the while I thought my death was imminent. Now I’m being told that if the meds I’m taking work then I could be out of hf by Christmas. With healthy living and meds hf can be controlled and sometimes reversed. It’s not a death sentence. You are not alone x