New to all of this and looking for advice.

[Rd13f]

Hey there,

So I have had a cough for about 6 years, difficulty breathing. Gp treated it as an allergic reaction , but never got to the bottom of it. Anyhoo, past year I have been more and more exhausted, difficulty exercising, total change of life for me. I've always walked the hills and lived a healthy life of yoga, fresh food and little alcohol. With the usual mad fun in my 20's!

Any way, the doc has rushed a cardiology appointment and thinks I have congestive heart failure . Not really surprised, my family history is a horror story. Most of my male realtives are dead by my age, (mid 50's) on both sides.

I have a horror of medication. Mad when you consider I am a nurse and therapist, but I saw my Father and Uncles slowly wither away from fit healthy men to husks.

I am trying to wrap my head around this. The GP has indicated I will have to slow down, work wise, but I have no idea about possible new treatments and benefits. Hoping someone can help a bit as I am totally lost.

[10gingercats]

If I have a cough for longer than a month my doc. is thinking about a chest x Ray.I have had 2 in 5 years ...boith were clear but i was glad to have the reassurance. has your GP not suggested this?Years with a cough would concern me.

[Hidden]

Hello & Welcome

I doubt there will be many on here that have been told they have a heart issue or could have that they have not said they are struggling to get their heads around it and I was one of those as well as having Bypasses still am struggling so to me that is a normal reaction

I know you have a family history and is the same for me even though it ran on the male side of the family and I am female but still I was not over shocked when I started having my heart attacks just annoyed if anything I had inherited it

I have the worst med fear ever at one time just a simple vitamin would send me in a panic and I still don't like meds but the heart one's well I take them knowing the outcome will be serious if I don't , I still am fearful of other meds but heart meds I have lost that fear now and just get on with it

I also was wondering has your cough gone now ?

I hope your Doctor as a cough 6 years did get that investigated if not it could be something you mention when you have an appointment with the Cardiologist

At this moment and yes because of the family History your Doctor is " Thinking " you could have heart failure but until you are seen it is wise to take meds if you have been given them slow down a bit but and I know it is not easy but try and slow the brain down to as until the tests are done and until you have seen the experts you do not know 100 % what is quite going of and it could be a lot less serious than your Doctor has guessed it could be but whatever is happening that referral is the best thing that has happened so far as you will be in the most capable hands ever and you will know with the job you do from your Dad and Uncle etc having heart conditions how much things have moved on and the wonderful things they can do now which even a few years ago they couldn't

Try and stay positive and let us know how you get on x

[Anon2023]

hi. I’m so sorry that you re going through this. I really felt for you reading your post and remembered how I felt when I was given similar news. It’s awful. I know that you will be worried sick about the “what if”s” but you need to see the cardiologist so that you know exactly what is going on. The not knowing is very difficult and anxiety tends to make us imagine all sorts of scenarios. If it turns out that you do have heart failure then there are some brilliant new medications that can help. I’m on Entresto and Dapagliflozin which I’m told are wonder drugs. I appreciate that you don’t like meds and I’m wondering if there is any support to help you overcome this. There are many people on this site who live long and full lives despite heart failure. It isn’t a death sentence. Heart failure is an awful term which terrifies everyone. I wish that doctors would stop using it. All it means is that your heart isn’t pumping as efficiently as it could be. It certainly doesn’t have to mean that the grim reaper is knocking at your door. This forum is full of very kind and supportive people who will be there for you when you need support. You are not alone. Xx

[Rhinos67]

How you are feeling is totally normal, who wouldnt feel anxious and worried when told that. Try not to over think things though until you know for sure

I had similar symptoms and it was aortic stenosis. GP thought it was angina but it wasn't. I've since had OHS and am recovering well.

Sending positive thoughts and I hope that you get the appointment through quickly

Joanne

[devonian186]

Heart failure is an unfortunate term as it merely means you are deviating from a theoretical notion of heart health based on a 30/40 year old who exercises, is the correct weight and has a healthy heart.

Very few people meet this criteria and the older you get the more likely you are to deviate from this theoretical norm and head towards that still perfectly healthy category labelled 'heart failure.'

When is your appointment? Are there any lifestyle changes you can make whilst waiting for it?

[GardeningMK]

hi there, I am not a specialist of course but I know a little bit about cardiomyopathy and this is to me something that you might be experiencing. I know one thing that it is a very treatable condition nowadays. You need to thoroughly investigate it with your cardiologist and they should offer you treatments. There is a whole range of medication which will stabilise your heart but they might also offer an ablation if you have palpitations (not sure if you do). My dad also died young, similar to your relatives, he was only 45, but that was back in 1984 when there was no such range of treatments available. Just ‘heart failure’ that’s all but now they have excellent diagnostics and treatment options. Have it fully investigated hopefully they can do MRI scan on your heart, And then take it from there. I don’t be afraid of medication - treat it as your friend because it will help you to improve your life. Good luck!

[Blyth1]

Hi, glad your Gp is organising a review for you. Like you I had a cough, exhaustion etc for about 2 years and my Gp sent me for 3 X-rays. All came back “normal”I think I was then put down as “worried well”

It was not until I was admitted in a collapsed state I had a scan. Diagnosis - hypersensitivity pneumonitis. They never have got to the bottom of what I am sensitive to, but steroids have kept me active. I am in no way suggesting this is what you have.Think what I am trying to say is, it may not be cardiac related, fantastic that you will be seen by specialists who will find the cause and then support you and start any treatment you may need.

Have to say this is a really supportive community, always someone here to answer any queries. Welcome.