Echocardiogram

[Cinders123]

I am currently waiting to be called in for an echocardiogram to see how my heart is working after being on Entresto for 1 year... Sadly, my blood pressure is low. I have always taken the low dose of Entresto however I have my fingers and toes crossed my Ejection Fraction may have improved 🤞 I have put on weight and I can't work out why either? I eat the same as I always have and walk around 6500 steps pretty briskly every day. Hope all hearties are as well as you can be 🥰 xx

[Hidden]

Dear You,

I really hope that the Entresto has helped with your EF, I am also waiting on the same test for the same reason, but judging by my breathlessness I do't think that for me it has had a great deal of improvement.

Take care

[Cinders123 in reply to Hidden]

Thank you for your kind words 😍 I think I am more breathless too, so trying super hard to keep positive thinking... sometimes life is tough! I hope you feel better soon 🤞 x

[irishwife93]

hi Cinders123

Wishing you the best of luck with your upcoming scan. It would be amazing for you if there was an increase but please remember that the main thing is how you’re feeling and it sounds like you’re doing great with all those steps!

Is it possible you could be retaining fluid, manifesting itself as weight gain? Do you take furosemide/a diuretic? If you notice swollen ankles especially towards the end of the day it could be a sign this is happening! My husband gained a stone due to water retention and is now on furosemide. It keeps his weight stable and he feels a lot better. He is able to tolerate more activity without getting breathless thanks to the furosemide.

[Harveyone]

Yes the Entresto seems to lower blood pressure too much but hopefully increases your ejection fraction.Your doing well on your steps but try doubling.Eat a little less as your body is storing what it doesn't use.Keep at it Cinders.👍✋👍

[Smitty1956]

Hi, Cinders 123,

I am sending Best Wishes for your upcoming echocardiogram. I hope that your EF has improved!

I have heard some good things about Entresto, and I have a cousin who just started taking it. Hopefully, with a year of taking it, you will show good improvement. I will look forward to your update!

[Swalecliffe88]

Hello Cinders. Your path sounds exactly like mine. My new consultant added Entresco to my meds cocktail about 5 months ago, and I am due for an echo in 3 months. I to have not made any change to my diet or physical activity yet have put weight on and I have struggled a little with my blood pressure being lower than what my body has been used to. My EF after my by pass 9 years ago was a good 45% and was around 43-45 % following my Sudden Cardiac Arrest last Sept. So I would be interested in hearing your outcome and consultants response. Hope you remain well though and we don’t get too large lol x

[Lezzers in reply to Swalecliffe88]

That's interesting that you've been prescribed Entresto when your last EF reading was 43-45 as Entresto isn't usually given unless your EF is 35 or less. Were you told why you were being prescribed it? My husband was prescribed it when his EF was 41 but that was because his EF has dropped considerably and his cardiologist thought there was a case for it. Unfortunately, even though he's been on the Entresto for about a year my husband's EF has reduced quite a lot again, currently waiting for another echo to see what's going on.

[Swalecliffe88 in reply to Lezzers]

Hi thank you for replying and it was very interesting info. No I did not question why Entresco was added it was just that following my SCA the hospital tripled my Bisophrol and I came out of hospital feeling like a zombie unable to stand up straight without feeling faint. I feel the registrar meant to increase my ARB (Candestratin) not the Bisophrol but believe me care in that hospital was very poor. When I see consultant next I will ask.

[Lezzers in reply to Swalecliffe88]

I wonder if they increased your bisoprolol because your cardiac arrest was due to an arrythimia 🤔 I believe the first port of call to try & control arrythimias is to start/increase bisoprolol (just my opinion of course) my husband has been having some severe arrythimias just recently & to combat this they increased his bisoprolol. Unfortunately, that didn't work for my husband!! Having said that, yes sometimes the care in hospital leave a lot to be desired! Would be interested in what your consultant says about it

[Swalecliffe88 in reply to Lezzers]

Cause of CA not totally diagnosed they thought possibly due to old scarring following Heart attack while waiting for by pass 9 years ago. But total heart block due to VT. I understand the reasoning for increase of Bisophrol, but I couldn’t tolerate the faintness and running nose, so we agreed on Entresco based on info of it being excellent at heart protection. He’s added Dapa to the mix now also, hence reason for forthcoming echo he wants to check both are having desired effect. But I will discuss the water retention possibility with him, as had that 20 years ago with a supposed diarectic before which slowly filled me up instead of expelling it. Brilliant care previous at London hospital …. Local one! well I’ll keep my comments to myself on that.

[Anon2023 in reply to Swalecliffe88]

hi. I was given entresto even though I didn’t fit the criteria at 43% EF. My cardiologist said that there was good evidence that it could help people with even mild heart failure and that NICE were behind the curve. My local health authority prescribes it despite the NICE guidelines, which they are within their rights to do as they are only guidelines. I feel lucky to have been prescribed it as my EF has increased. Perhaps your hospital/cardiologist is of the same mind.

[Cinders123 in reply to Lezzers]

Hi, sorry I was prescribed Entresto as my EF is 30, I have never achieved an EF of 40 since my heart attack sadly. I wish you both the very best for your husbands next Echo... I am awaiting my Echo results from Sunday 🤞🏻 x

[am1875 in reply to Lezzers]

Hi. It’s been reported that Entresto has been prescribed for those with mildest of HF because of its possible positive effect on the heart. Maybe a preventative measure.

[Lezzers]

Fingers crossed 🤞 for your echo but it's worth bearing in mind that Entresto doesn't necessarily increase your EF but it is good at protecting your heart & therefore reducing hospital admissions& increasing life expectancy. But I would definitely mention your symptoms to your heart nurse/GP just to rule out fluid retention as weight gain & breathlessness is a classic sign of fluid retention.

Good luck

[Swalecliffe88]

This is also useful info. Not under any heart nurse or GP for this as neither exist at our local surgery only remote locums via e consult. But have a consultants appt in Sept so will take all this to him then. Thanks again and I hope all your heart issues continue to be stable

[Lezzers in reply to Swalecliffe88]

Heart nurses are separate from surgery's, they work independently alongside your cardiologist. Your cardiologist or your GP can refer you to a heart nurse, but depending on your symptoms they may feel you don't need their help. They are very much in demand & so few of them doing the job, but it's worth asking if you can be referred.

[Swalecliffe88 in reply to Lezzers]

interesting info again. Think different areas and different CCCs provide or don’t provide different facilities. My previous pre covid GP was very heart orientated and knowledgeable was happy with his care. But surgery sold to a conglomerate and now only nurse lead with no regular GPs only travelling ones.

[theonethatgotaway1]

I am a little confused. Shouldn't the medication be making you feel better and improving symptoms first and foremost or do you need the test to tell you if its working or not? I am on entresto and dapa also but not very clued up on ef rates and what all that means