heart failure

[Jarvo977]

Just diagnosed very worried

[Tos92]

I’m very sorry to hear about your diagnosis. There are many others here who will tell you the term sounds a lot scarier than what it is! A lot of members also go on to lead normal lives with this once medication has been actioned. It can definitely be difficult to hear if you were otherwise healthy and didn’t feel unwell.

Did they say what your EF was?

I hope you will find this forum helpful and supportive in your journey.

All the best.

Tos

[Jarvo977 in reply to Tos92]

Ef 🤔🤷🏻‍♂️

[Tos92 in reply to Jarvo977]

Ejection fraction. It measures how well your heart pumps blood with each heartbeat.

bhf.org.uk/informationsuppo....

[Snowdrops_17 in reply to Tos92]

And we should be examined every year so doctors and us know the Ejection Fraction, if it has worsened or has improved! After my heart attack 2019 I had an hospital appointment in the autumn to determine my EF 👌 Since then none at all and that's 5 years ago now 👍

The heart needs to recover after a heart attack, heart muscle were it has occured, experience scaring and our heart needs time to heal ❤️

I really would like to know my "Now EF", I wonder if I could get a referral from my GP to have a heart scan in our District Hospital!

Wished consultants and junior doctors weren't striking, it delays so many appointments and operations now!

[Tos92 in reply to Snowdrops_17]

Snowdrops_17 definitely ask for that referral. There’s no harm in asking and I’m not sure why they would say no given your heart history! I hope the strikes aren’t too much of a bother right now.

[10gingercats]

It helps to know why you have been diagnosed with heart failure. There are very many causes. Also find out to what degree you have heart failure. If you have not been told then it should be on written docs. you get from the hospital or a copy from your GPs surgery.

[WardijaWardija]

Diagnosed with what ? ?

[Captain_Birdseye in reply to WardijaWardija]

Heart failure according to the title.

[Buddy00 in reply to Captain_Birdseye]

But that can mean so many things.

[uzininemm in reply to Buddy00]

Why do any of us need to know at this stage. The fact Jarvo post is short and says he is very worried should be enough.

I fully get where they are coming from.

When my consultant told me I had heart failure, I responded with a big smirk on my face he stated it was serious and promptly walked off. No I didn't think it was a joke I was stunned as how has this happened to me. I was changed consultants (don't know why) and all my new consultant said (and he is very good) is that my heart was pumping vey well.

To be honest I didn't care what it was I just wanted to know what I could do to live a longer better life.

I am sure his medics will tell him what he has got, however what they can't necessarily do is take the worry away, and that is where people like me and others who have been through it can help.

[BeKind28-]

Hello

Anyone getting a diagnosis of heart failure is going to feel worried and sorry you have been diagnosed with it

I have mild heart failure due to having 3 heart attacks that damaged a small part of my heart I also had to have a triple Bypass and take medications and the professionals are all happy with how things are now so if you have not already heard to what degree you have heart failure and what their plan is because they will have one even if medications try not to worry easier said than done I know but they can do such wonderful things now and you can still have a very fulfilled life so put your trust on them they will look after you x

[Hidden]

Heart failure it's a horrible wording. It really should say efficiency. When we hear that we have something wrong with heart our mind go into very dark places. However there are medications and life style changes that can help to improve this diagnosis.

[JulianM]

This! Exactly ...

[uzininemm]

I can understand your worry particularly if no one has explained things to you.

I have previously posted war and peace on how it affected me 2 years ago (and yes at the time I thought my time on earth was over) and how I have progressed since.

I don't know what you medical team have told you so any advice given you must realise is based on what I was told by mine and my experience following this.

1. Fluids - don't exceed 1.5litres a day (this includes soups etc - and yes it can be done).

2. Eat well - BHF have great info on nutrition and diets and a great recipe finder.

3. Take your meds, it might take some time for them to settle down.

4. Exercise, do what you can don't over do it and build gently from there - also ensure you get on to a cardio rehab course if you haven't already been offered it.

5. Stay away from Google get your information from here, BHF and particularly Pumping Marvellous the heart failure charity pumpingmarvellous.org/

6. Your life will change but that doesn't necessary mean it will be for the worse.

Anything specific just ask, as someone will answer you.

All the best.

[Buddy00]

This is a very helpful group but heart failure is just a term that is widely used. It would be helpful to state the actual symptoms or clinical diagnosis.

[Snowdrops_17]

Wait until you get your letter from your examination! Was this a heart scan???? If yes wait for that letter 👌💌 If not then request an appointment with your heart consultant to have a heart scan done! Then you will really know what's going on and you should be told then about your Ejection Fraction!

After that you will be prescribed medication to protect your heart and Arteries 👍❤️

Before my heart attack I smoked 15 a day, I had pain in my calves when walking after 100 metres, on and off struggling with my job in the evening shifts, kitchen porter, always so tired after work! 2 weeks before my heart attack we were scrubbing the kitchen floor after evening service + tidy up, I couldn't scrub and my chest felt very tight and I was breathless! I wished I had gone home and rung in sick the next day!

Then end of February 2019 midnight I woke up with a very tight chest as if an elephant sat on my chest! A horrible pain down my left arm and I felt very breathless, also felt sick and my stomach turned! It wouldn't go away and I felt scared so called ambulance urgently!

Thank God they came, took me to James Cook hospital, straight away into the theatre for emergency Angioplasty, stents and then 4 days recovery on the ward! 👌

Well a brush with death, was a wake-up call!👍❤️

So darling get this degree of heart failure sorted so you know what to do and how to help your heart 💜♥️

But please don't panic okay 🫂

Life isn't over just because of doctors diagnosis for your heart Jarvo 👌❤️

[Snowdrops_17]

So remember every day is a new day Jarvo 👍😁❤️

Early morning at dawn ♥️

[Tos92 in reply to Snowdrops_17]

This is beautiful 😍

[Deejay62]

So sorry to hear of your diagnoses.

Some people are told they have heart failure and their EF is 45 or even above. Mine is 23% and I’m still functioning and try to keep active. I’m not bed bound or need caring for, I look after myself. I was still able to walk, although my breathing was difficult, with an EF of 10%. I was also still working and I believe by being active that kept my heart pumping. That’s all heart failure is, most people’s heart isn’t pumping/working to full capacity.

Hopefully you will see a cardiologist or at least get a report stating your heart function and if they know or will find out why it’s not working. You should also be put on a cocktail of medications if they feel the function is that low.

Please let us know how you get on. All the best. Diane

[Survivor1952]

I was diagnosed by my local hospital in mid May and not allowed out again until they had operated. Apparently my EF was below 20 which indicates serious heart failure. I've had an angioplasty with 2 stents, AVR (Aortic Valve Replacement) and a single CABG (Coronary Artery Bypass Graft).

3 months later and 9 weeks post surgery I've been discharged back to the care of my GP(!) and told to live a normal life with my EF back to a good level for my age. Still need to build a bit of fitness but I'm told by my physio rehab team that I'm looking extremely fit and well and making excellent progress. I'm back jogging lightly, enjoying the rehab classes (laughing at a slight lack of co-ordination at times) and walking around 6000 steps a day with my best single day so far being 9000 steps, far more than I used to achieve.

[Snowdrops_17 in reply to Survivor1952]

Wow, you have done well Survivor 1952, to get that far in your recovery 👍 just incredible progress!I wanted to go to Rehab but I would have had to drive 24 miles to and back, plus paying for hospital parking as well, costly!

But my legs wouldn't have played ball going on a treadmill because every 10 metres I had to stand still and rest because my calves would get so painful! After 3 months if struggling I finally was diagnosed with a Femoral Blockage, 13 cm, just over 6 inches, in my left leg!

4 years on I am much better but not 100%, but I bat on 👍

I am still disappointed that a stent wasn't suggested or an artery by-pass in my left leg was not suggested either at an convenient time! I have no idea if the blockage is surrounded by other arteries to compensate the blockage! Now I am retired I will follow this up soon!

[Harveyone]

Hi Jarvo sorry to hear of your diagnosis.Bit of shock but ofcourse you can improve with meds etc.I have dilated cardiomyopathy with a ejection fraction of 29% & a Crtd device fitted.Done nothing but improve my capacity although takes time.Let know how you getting on etc.Chris