Today's shocking news

[Gchar86]

So this morning I found out my husband has heart failure and I rely struggling to take it in? Is there anyone out there who have any positive stories? Wot the prognosis is etc? He's only 38 ty

[RufusScamp]

"Heart failure" is a dreadfully misleading term. It merely means your heart is less efficient than it ought to be. I was diagnosed with severe heart failure three years ago, and with medication, exercise, and a pacemaker to correct a slightly different fault I am managing well, to the extent my cardiologist signed me off several months ago. It's worth looking through the information on the main BHF website, or "Pumping Marvellous".

I am sure there will be others with longer experience than me, but if he follows advice - cardio rehab course if it is offered, he will give himself the best chance.

[am1875 in reply to RufusScamp]

I know of a gentleman who was diagnosed with HF 25 yrs. ago. He received an LVAD 5 yrs. ago and is playing golf 3 times a week. You just never know in my opinion.

[Blackcatsooty]

dear Gchar

Yes, I am a positive case.

Given a few months to live and the pandemic closing nigh on all cardiology services.

I had aortic stenosis.

By far the worst bit was waiting. But once I made it to hospital, the stress and worry melted as I walked through the hospital doors.

I had a replacement aortic valve. The staff and medics were fabulous. 8 days later I was on my way home. Yes I needed home care for three months, but every couple of days I could feel the improvement.

I let the medics do their thing , I don’t want to know all the technical stuff.

Best wishes

Sooty

[Jako999]

There are lots of people out there who don’t even know they have it just like AF. Everyone’s heart starts to ware out from the day you are born it just depends how quickly it does it.

The big bonus is you now know so he can get treated correctly, I nearly died back in June from a heart attack then had to have a quadruple heart bypass, if only I new earlier it could probably have been prevented.

Just take things one step at a time.

[Jg06]

hi there I suffered heart failure in 2018 luckily in A&E at the time I had severe pneumonia and sepsis crept in and the NHS angels as I call them saved me , induced into a coma for 3 days .. I j take my meds as I was told to do only had one wee blimp during the first lockdown and admitted they reduced my Bisopralol to 2.5 mg as they first suspected I was taking a stroke as MRI scans showed I’d had a previous mini one before showing up ..now my Bisopralol is back up to its usual 5 mg daily and I’ve had no problem with my heart , the meds protect it and only thing I can’t do is lift heavy items like before ok I can’t run a marathon but I’m still here with no problems since only side effects are your hands and feet go really cold as in cold and white but your extremities are last to get blood flow to them but it’s a very common side effect.. this forums great for anything you might want to know but it’s a condition that can be controlled well by meds so tell hubby not to stress to much over it as that’s not good to do ,think it’s the word failure that puts fear into us when we hear it from consultants But can be well controlled it’s the mental aspect I think that affects people more and instills fear Hope you get the answers your looking for Take care Jackie

[Hidden]

Dear Gchar86

A warm welcome to the forum, I hope that you can find the answers and comfort on here as many, me included, have.

Dear Dear me, that horrible " heart failure " tag has caused yet more people to be worried and rightly so as it sounds so horrendous.

Basically { from my Cardiologist } heart failure means that the heart is not working as well as it could, he said on the guidelines of the NHS then most, regardless of age, will be suffering from some form of it.

You both have to be strong as this is a gate way diagnosis and after a lot more tests they will find just what is wrong and more importantly what can be done to improve your dear husbands condition.

This horrible limbo part will pass soon and you both then can concentrate on getting on with getting well, him with the heart problem and you with your worry for him.

You are not alone and hopefully we can help you both as your journey progresses.

Take care

[Janma123]

Hello Gchar86, Take a deep breath and try not to worry

Heart failure is an awful description. It just means that the heart is operating less well than it could. It should be well explained before the term is used.

My hubby has a diagnosis of heart failure amongst many other ailments but modern medication is wonderful at supporting the heart to perform as well as possible.

Best wishes Jane

[devonian186]

As others say HF is a very emoptive term. Many people will have some degree of HF but be unaware if it. They are at greatest risk. You haven't said what the treatment is. Medication? An operation at some point?

Is there anything that can be done to improve his condition such as losing weight or exercising more (both with the agreement of his doctor)

[MoyB]

I understand your feeling of shock! My husband is much older than yours as he is 80, but two years ago he was told he had fluid in his lungs. This was discovered when he had an MRI for a prostate problem.

He was referred to cardiology and had further tests. He was diagnosed with severe aortic stenosis and a year later, he was given a new heart valve - into hospital one day and home the next. They also fitted him with a pacemaker.

Since then, the change in him has been wonderful. He has all his energy back and is enthusiastic and living life to the full.

He still has a diagnosis of Heart Failure as the stenosis had caused some stretching of a ventricle but the medication keeps everything in check.

If the medics can do this for someone my husband's age, I feel sure they will soon have your much younger husband feeling 100% better than he is now!

Heart Failure is not a death sentence and the medics hate the name as it causes alarm and panic in patients.

Try not to worry. They will find the root cause and deal with it, I'm sure.

Xx Moy

[Charlesthru]

I have to agree with everyone here that the term "heart failure" is a very dramatic and alarming medical term that when your told what it actually means is far less alarming. I had my MI just over a year ago and after an MRI was told that my heart had been damaged by the heart attack and was now only working at 30% capacity which on paper is classified as heart failure but apart from some shortness of breath after exertion and some minor circulation issues I've been absolutely fine so please try not to worry about your husband, I'm sure with the right meds and care he'll have a long and relatively normal life.

[KentFox]

The most positive thing I see is that your husband has been diagnosed and will now receive appropriate support to manage the condition. Many are never diagnosed and die or never receive treatment and die before their time. I was diagnosed with heart failure after my heart attack and I was determined not to let it affect my life and particularly my mental health. I only wish I was diagnosed earlier. The biggest challenge I find is trying to get the appropriate support from our beleaguered NHS but once you get their support they are fantastic. One thing I have found is at the times I have needed urgent medical support as soon as I mention I have heart failure I receive priority service. Stay positive!

[Gchar86]

To all who replied to me, I thank you immensely! I don't feel so alone right now, I'm so happy I joined this forum. His heart is working at 10-15% capacity but doctors ensure they'll get it up. His whole body is filled with fluid more so in his lungs so theyr trying g to fix that then get the medication cocotion on the go. I'm a pessimistic person very bad one so I automatically think the worst. I so appreciate all ur advise thank you x

[Wire57]

Hi Gchar 86

Three years ago I had an out of hospital cardiac arrest and ended up in a coma. It turns out I had a genetic issue that had caused dilated cardiomyopathy and my ejection fraction was only 10%. Twelve months ago it was up to 35% and when I have my next check up the cardiologist expects it to be higher.

I must admit being diagnosed with severe heart failure was a shock but a bigger shock was finding out I’d lived with it for 62 years.

The treatment available these days is fantastic and you can live a normal life. I now walk on average 8 miles a day, cycle whenever the weather permits and enjoy life to the full, the only things I had to give up were scuba diving and playing in a brass band, but there again not many people do these activities anyway.

Both you and your husband just need to look at the positives of what you can do.

Take care we all appreciate that the news you received was scary but as mentioned in previous replies the term heart failure only means the heart is not perfect

[am1875 in reply to Wire57]

Hi. You didn’t mention if you’re on Entresto. Cheers!

[Wire57 in reply to am1875]

sorry about that yes I’m on Entresto 49/51 been on it for just over twelve months and have had no problems whatsoever.

Take care

Hope you are both feeling more positive and are looking forward to the future

[Jetcat]

i think the word failure makes it all sound worse.? Like has been said it just means that the heart isn’t working quite as efficient.!! Same as my eyesight, and my knee joint hasn’t been for a long time now.!!!

You can live a good long life with heart failure once it’s being treated.👍

My friend was diagnosed with it 5 years ago at 50 and I must admit he has more energy and get up and go than I have.!!👍

[Hidden]

Heart failure is not the right words they should use. It just means the heart is not efficient. In my case I have a weak right side due to epsteins anomoly. But the left side has an ef of 51%, which is low end of normal. However even with my congenital heart disease according to the consultant and all the test I have had, ct, mri, exercise test, ecg I don't have heart failure. Due to the fact I have no build up of fluids? However any issue that you get told about, regarding your heart become a concern and a worry. It is natural. Fortunatly in this new age there are medications which can help. But it does cause chaos with your mind both for you and your other half. You will get alot of advice and support on this forum which will help.

[Aoki]

Just thought I'd repeat what all the others have said. Don't worry. As they say it just means your husband's heart is not functioning as well as it could and that's probably the case with masses of people who haven't had the diagnosis. I was diagnosed with heart failure three years ago after a very bad brush with sepsis. It was all doom and gloom at the time but I recovered quite well. I still have " heart failure" as far as the docs are concerned but it hasn't really affected my life much. I do get out of breath if I have to rush and I won't be running 5k -- but then there wasn't much chance of that before !! I am after all 80 and all in all pretty good for my age I reckon.

[am1875 in reply to Aoki]

Pretty good indeed. Have you considered Entresto? Cheers!

[Aoki in reply to am1875]

Thanks for your reply. Actually I've been rather unwell the last few months and have been to a private cardiologist as I was not getting much help on the NHS -- my perception is that people my age are just written off nowadays. He explained that my choices of medication were v limited as the sepsis left me with dodgy kidneys as well. he suggests a pacemaker which I'll take up all being well.

[Gchar86]

I rely thank you all. I can't reply to u all individually but I am much more positive now that I have your support.