What do constitutes heart failure?

[Caledonia1944]

If you have a stent inserted. Does this mean I have what is called heart failure. My specialist has never used these words but now I’m wondering. So what exactly does heart failure mean?

[aardvark68]

Hi Caledonia1944.

Definitely not. The reason why they put in stents was to unblock one or more coronary arteries. So now your heart should be working properly. Heart failure is when the heart has been damaged - for instance after a heart attack- and it is NOT working properly. Unfortunately it is a bad description because it causes people to worry too much. Usually the condition is manageable with drugs and lifestyle changes.

[Caledonia1944 in reply to aardvark68]

Thank you. That makes sense.

[aardvark68 in reply to Caledonia1944]

You’re welcome. Just to reassure you that you don’t need to worry about it, I am female and similar age to you I think? In 2015 I had a STEMI and a cardiac arrest. Fortunately I was in A&E at the time! They put in a few stents and I have been fine ever since. I travel extensively and walk a lot!

[Caledonia1944]

thank you. I want to travel to but travel insurance is so expensive when you have health issues.

[Letsallhope1 in reply to Caledonia1944]

Try Staysure, I managed to get insured and get covered for my extensive heart issues with very little money compared to other providers.

Regarding heart failure, aardvark68 has already explained clearly the difference. Do you take meds for the heart or it is all back to normal after the stents op?

[Caledonia1944 in reply to Letsallhope1]

Yes I am on blood thinners etc. They also found I had an aneurysm 4.1 of the aortic root and a smaller 3.9 dilation of the ascending thoracic aorta so on meds for that too. All good, at least I get the medication others don’t find out until they dissect , so I count myself lucky.