Diagnosing Heart Failure?

[Doodlebug63]

I am looking for some advice from others who have been in a similar situation or know more about blood tests and heart failure please.

My husband had a Mitral and Tricuspid valve repair 2 years ago but nothing could be done regarding his AF. Since COVID he’s been pretty much left to get on with things.

Recently he has been suffering with breathlessness and catarrh quite badly and been on antibiotics and steriods, had asthma checks etc but nothing has improved the situation so he was given a blood test.

The results have come back and indicated heart failure and he has been told if the breaths gets worse or he gets swelling to his feet or ankles he must go to A&E. He is being referred to Cardiology.

Unfortunately I wasn’t at home at the time of the phone call from the doctor so couldn’t get him to ask more questions of the doctor such as;

Can the blood test suggest or confirm heart failure?

How long might he wait to see the cardiologist?

What can he do to help himself in the meantime?

He is now very worried and thinking he might have to have further major heart surgery. I’ve told him not to start worrying about that yet (easier said than done I realise) and wait to see what happens when the cardiologist sees him but without knowing how long it will be before an appointment even I am struggling with my own advice re worrying.

Thank you in advance.