Hi I am female 57 an ex smoker who uses a vape and need to lose some weight. I recently came back from a long haul holiday and went to GP as I was a bit breathless and thought I may have an embolism.
They noted that my heart rate was very high and sent me to hospital. I had an ECG and they told me that I have AF and further tests also indicated that I have heart failure. They put me on Bisoprolol 2.5mg once a day, Rivaroroxaban 20mg once a day and Furisemide 40mg once a day. They referred me to Cardiologist and for an Echocardiogram but said it would probably be a 6 month wait and then basically just sent me home.
my heart rate still seems to fluctuate a lot, blood pressure is stable and normal. I am eating healthily and trying to give up the vape. Also waiting for medical insurers to confirm that I can go private. But any additional advice anyone can offer or others in same situation? Thanks
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PJ05
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A warm welcome to your first post and the shock you must be feeling over your recent diagnosis.
First lets get this clear ' Heart Failure ' is not a death sentence but its a wake up call for you to be able to reverse or at lest minimise the effects that you are having on your heart.
The combinations of medication given to you are a help, but only that, it is down to you to help them reach there potential.
It seems that they are beginning to work, so if you added a little yourself , you can make sure that they are doing the best they can do when the next stage of your treatment is available.
MOVE MOVE MOVE, its that simple, just think about it and move, walk everywhere and at anytime you can, get those steps in and really think about how your body and heart are reacting to the new you.
You are an adult and its not for me { being an ex-smoker } to tell you about nicotine and the heart, its a balance thing, get yourself educated about it and you will make up your own mind. { you need your lungs working the best they can }
Above all, stop worrying until you have all the results in and you know exactly where you stand.
You are not alone and we are here to help you in anyway we can
You are not here to be judged you are here for support and information.
Hi thank you for your reply and you have not said anything that as an intelligent adult I am not already aware of ! But I gave no indication that I do no exercise. Up until last year I regularly walked 10 miles plus. Sadly a recurring back injury from spinal surgery 12 years ago put paid to that but I have continued walking the dog as far as I am able and continue to push myself. Why do people think that if you say you are overweight you must be lazy sitting around on the sofa eating constantly? I have a very busy life with a very demanding job and regularly worked (past tense) 50-60 hours a week so did not prioritise myself. That is the biggest change I am making
hi. Welcome to the forum. I’m a 51 year old woman with heart failure. It’s an awful shock when the doctors first mention heart failure, those words are enough to scare the hell out of anyone but, like Blue says, it’s not a death sentence. You will find that there are lots of kind and supportive people on this forum and knowing that you are not alone in your health struggles can make such a difference. You are not here to be judged and nobody should be making assumptions about you so well done for standing your ground. 6 months is a long wait for an echo. I waited a year on the NHS for an echo (by which time I was very poorly) which is totally unacceptable so if you have the option of going private then take it and get your echo sooner. I wish you luck and look forward to seeing your contributions on the forum. Xxx
Welcome to the forum! I have atrial fibrillation - diagnosed last year - and heart failure is one of the related risks. There is also a forum for those with AFib, which might be useful if you’re considering the treatments for that. healthunlocked.com/afassoci...
The AF Association website is also a useful addition for finding information on that side of things. Good luck with all your treatments - getting the heart rate under control will make such a difference. It’s always a shock to be diagnosed with these things, and that wait before the first appointment seems endless.
As important as lifestyle is, and the changes that we can make, some of it is just bad luck. The good luck with A Fib is finding out in good time before you get a stroke - I was very glad to get the anticoagulants.
I am currently monitoring both my heart rate and blood pressure in the morning and evening as I have recently been found to have Bradycardia and have to take the readings in to my GP in a couple of weeks. If you haven’t already got a blood pressure machine it might be worth investing in one, they generally do your heart rate as well. The one I have has Bluetooth and links to an app which you can download to your mobile phone. The readings automatically update to the app. If you do this and you are concerned that your heart rate and/or blood pressure are too high or low you can show him the readings which might enable him to get you a quicker appt with the cardiologist. But don’t forget if you get any chest pains or your heart rate is consistently high seek proper medical advice . I was also told to keep moving without overdoing it. Starting slowly, quickening up a bit and then slowing down gradually. This is important as the warm up opens your blood vessels ready for the excercise and then the warm down takes them back to normal. Good luck and hope you feel better soon x
Thank you for your reply - yes I have both a pulse oximeter and a blood pressure machine so can monitor both accurately. Blood pressure has always been normal - so that’s something. I don’t feel at all unwell and I have been trialling walking faster mid dog walk. Think I am going to add swimming in to the mix too.
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