Hi all. I was diagnosed with HF, dilated cardiomyopathy just over 12 months ago. I have been on meds for 12 months and felt things were improving however on my recent echo my HF has gone from 41% down to 35%. My nurse has changed my Candesartan for Entrestro, lowest dose, and I am due to see a cardiologist with regards to having a pace maker fitted, which I am really scared about. I have had a few dizzy spills and some chest niggles since taking Entresrto. On my last recent blood tests I was told my Potassium is high ( 3 separate test) so they are looking at maybe changing the Entrestro back to Candesartan. I also take Bisporolol 1.25mg in an evening, 2.5mg in a morning, Dapaglifozin 10mg, Eplerenone 25mg, Ranolazine 500mg twice daily and Atorvastatin 40mg. I am now worried that the medications are having an effect on my Kidneys, I am under review for more blood tests and appointments over the next 4 weeks but has anyone got any advice they could give to me on this. It's a bit like being diagnosed all over again!
12 months on and more worries. - British Heart Fou...
12 months on and more worries.
I had a similar diagnosis five years ago and had a pacemaker fitted after a cardiac ablation the following year. My ejection fraction is now close to what is considered normal at just under 50% and I consider myself to be in better condition than the average 67 year old. I have no regrets concerning the ablation or surgery; I believe I made the right choice. It wasn't scary to me. What I would say is that anxiety is your enemy. I hope that you get to see your cardiologist soon and that he/she can provide some reassurance.
A friend of mine was put on Entrestro and it took a while to get the balance of his medication right. His EF improved significantly on Entrestro and he now regularly climbs hills, not only in the UK, but in various countries around Europe. I hope they can balance your medication and get you on track to an improvement in your health.
Thank you for your kind reply. Here's hoping things settle down and I get a wonderful result like your friend did.
I can only comment on the drugs bit as following a heart attack 12 days ago I'm now on a lively cocktail of 80mg (a beast!) Atorvastatin, Ramipril, Apixaban, Clopidogrel, Lansoprazole, Bisoprolol and a good old aspirin - 8 pills a day. I wondered how the heck my organs would handle all of this but had a blood test at my GP on Monday and all came back normal. I think our bodies are tougher than we expect, sometimes!
I was impressed to get those bloods results back in less than 24 hours as a text and on MyCharts, and it seems a fairly easy way to keep tabs on the effects of the meds. I have another round in 12 weeks at my local hospital but that's very back of mind as I'm expecting to get a date for my OHS in the next month.
Pacemakers are far more common than I think we sometimes expect. My 90 year old stepgran was fitted with one last year and she's doing fine on it, and I also know of some younger people (now I following OHS influencers!) with them too.
Hope more comments come in offering reassurance, and wishing you strength and good progress!
Thank you for your reply. They sound to be on top of things with you and good luck for your upcoming OHS.
Glad your step gran is doing well. I think sometimes it's being afraid of the unknown but at the end of the day we do what we have to to try and improve our health anyway we can.
Thank you for sharing your story and knowledge.
Heart Failure 
Hypo type episode on Dapaglaflozin/Forxiga, and Spironolactone, while waiting for a pacemaker upgrade. Advice anyone?
What should we expect from cardiologist?
Should my GP have asked for an appointment to be arranged?
