Heart failure and cad

[Emilyiris12]

Ive just been diagnosed with heart failure and coronary artery disease having stent/stents fitted tomorrow dont know whether im coming or going.

[Tos92]

I’m so sorry to hear this. Other members have been where you are right now and they will tell you that it’s going to be okay. It’s amazing that they are being so quick with you and doing the stent procedure tomorrow. I hope after surgery, you feel better. It’s important to take one step at a time, and it sounds like you are in very safe hands. They will give you all the help and treatment you need to manage the heart failure after the procedure. Heart failure sounds awful, but it’s probably more just a case of your heart not working properly and I’m sure the procedure tomorrow will be one step closer in helping with that.

Please keep us updated after the procedure tomorrow and I hope others will come along to show their support.

Wishing you all the best.

Tos

[Flimflab in reply to Tos92]

I had a stent fitted 12 months ago and like many others have made a good recovery. I would agree with Tos92 comments that it sounds like you are in good hands and to take it step by step. It was a busy and stressful day and I wished I had been more organised with my questions when the cardiologist discharged me. Particularly I wish I had asked when my follow up meeting with the cardiologist or GP would take place and what happened about getting cardiac rehab classes.

After your operation I'm sure you will have further questions, so do come back and ask.

Wishing you all the best.

P.S. I wish I had taken something to read as unexpectedly I had to wait.

[EU95PTM]

Welcome to this group! It’s a group no one imagines themselves joining but usually someone can come along an help. It will be a bewildering and scary time for you right now, and that is completely normal. I’ve been there too, except the extent of my heart disease was discovered after a heart attack. I then developed heart failure as a result. I have only 1 stent but the cocktail of medications have made an enormous difference to how I feel and I’m largely asymptomatic for heart failure, with only occasional shortness of breath (usually when climbing a steep hill or multiple flights of stairs). Try to take things a day at a time for now. Wishing you all the best.

[70Percent]

I’ll echo what Tos92 and EU95PTM have said.

It’s all a bit much at first but it is possible to live with a wonky heart and / or arteries.

I for one am pleasantly surprised at the difference after a few months of meds and lifestyle changes.

I’m sure it will all go smoothly tomorrow.

[BeKind28-]

Hello

I was your age when I had 3 heart attacks and then had to have a triple Bypass

The heart attacks left some of my heart damaged which could not be reversed

So having these stents will be the best thing you do and with medications you can go on to feel better than you have in a long time

It is nerve wracking I was a wreck but after I was so glad it had been done and I am sure you will feel the same once you have had your stents done

You will get looked after really well and you will soon be home recovering

Let us know how you get on x

[francesw47]

Hello Emilyiris.

There is something particularly awful about a diagnosis to do with your heart. You only have one, and its precious. Its a great shock when someone tells you there is something wrong with it. The stent should resolve the issues with your coronary arteries. You should be offered cardiac rehabilitation - which is a mixture of exercise and education but be mindful of the HF as you will need guidance about exercise to begin with.

HF is a horrid term - and frankly does not describe the condition well at all. I have HF, have done for 4 years now. To me it means that my heart does not work as well as it used to - it is damaged in the bottom of my left ventricle and so pumping blood is not as efficient as before. Quite simply, the rest of my ventricle has to work harder to get the blood through my aortic valve and out into my body. That makes me tired. Its managed by medication which has improved my heart function considerably and I do my bit to help myself too. Healthy diet, no alcohol (thats my choice), exercise as much as I can and rest when I need it. I'm in my early 70s now, still work a bit, still look after my house and garden, still have fun....my lifestyle just needed a few tweaks to accommodate the HF.

Hope all goes well with the stent and please keep in touch with us to let us know how you get on over the next weeks/months. And welcome to the forum!

[Sljp0000]

Hi, don't worry about having stents. It's not particularly painful and it's more scary than it actually is if that makes sense. It will all be over in a flash.We all say on here that Heart Failure is a stupid term. It doesn't mean all doom and gloom. With the right medications and your stents working well you'll feel much better. The meds might take some getting used to but you will.

Remember your heart is a muscle, it might even recover a little with the right exercises and blood successfully getting in and out properly.

All the best for today, God bless you,

Susie x

[Gioia123]

It is overwhelming and it’s continually on your mind- what does it all mean etc?

I have 2 stents post 2 heart attacks.

Go to the Rehab classes that are offered - the cardiac nurses/physios that take the classes are excellent They are all so knowledgeable so if you have any questions - no matter how ‘daft’ you feel your questions are- ask the nurses/physios they will set you right.

All the best , take it easy and make sure you laugh 🧤

[Elsabounre]

If placing stents is your diagnosis..you may be one ofcthe luckier ones..as there may be no damage to the heart itself..a routine proceedure which has the highest rate of success..try to relax..in a few days..you will be so much better

[Emilyiris12]

Thank you all for your replies. I had 3 stents fitted and put on further medication to help with the heart function which they tell me is significantly impaired. I hope this will help me be more mobile as i was really struggling with the breathlessness.