advice re 76yr old with heart disease - 2 heart attacks in 13 months and now a hole in heart A 35% heart function

[worriedson51]

hi all - sorry to be here but glad I found it / just needs some sort of perspective if possible / k know everyone’s different - basically my mam had a heart attack 14 months ago - then another one 2 months ago - apparently she has heart failure after second attack - and a joke in her heart - she loves alone and is old school - still tried her best - but she’s constantly tired and gets out of breath just walking from one room to another - this is my mam - we’re very very close - realistically what is the end game ? Already been told it’s in curable and she’s on loads of tablets - just kinda want some to say …..

[cappachina]

Hi Idont have heart failure myself but know people who do and are surviving for years Heart failure is the wrong term it basically means your heart is not working as well as it meds will help a lot Lots of people on here with heart failure who will be along soon to answer any questions you have

h

[Deejay62]

Hi sorry to hear about your mam. I have a heart function of 23% before that it had fallen to 10% and I was on the end game but I’m still battling on like many others. A cocktail of meds and a new device is helping me.

Your mam’s situation is different to mine as I’ve never had a heart attack or a hole in my heart, but I have something called dilated cardiomyopathy, pulmonary hypertension and various arrhythmias.

I’m constantly tired and out of breath, but I don’t live alone although I do plod around and try to do things because the more I try to do the more my heart will keep going.

She as you so although she lives alone I’m sure you’re there for her. Have you spoken to her cardiologist or nurse regarding what she should or shouldn’t do, and have you listened to her regarding what she needs from you. It’s very difficult to diagnose when the end will come for heart failure.

[Blearyeyed]

It's very hard , it can be doubly hard if you are caring for someone whom is very independent and still lives alone.Unfortunately, there may be a time that it is more safe for her to live in a house with other people , or in sheltered accommodation with an emergency system. than on her own entirely because of the risk of an episode when someone isn't there .

But also because dealing with all the jobs of looking after yourself and your home alone can be too much for these conditions and make your daily symptoms like tiredness , breathlessness and dizziness much worse, even on medication, even with family dropping in daily to help.

Does she get any professional support , if not. have you considered applying for any?

She might be able to get a home help , more regular check ins with community nurses, a cleaner and other home visits if you apply .

Having a referral to Occupational Health via the GP or the Cardiologist is a good start and they will assess her home and provide lots of gadgets and aids to make doing things easier on her and her heart.

A rolling frame is often useful indoors to help prevent falling and reduce getting out of breath as you walk, For example.

And that isn't an age thing, I was only 49 when I first bit the bullet and got help via Occupational Health ( intially for other health problems than my heart issue) .

The aids they have given me so far have made a huge change in what I can do and how easily I can do things too . Even silly things like tin openers , wheeled trays, a shower seat , new toilet and grabbers all help me do things with less breathlessness and risk.

There may be a point though when you need to have a serious discussion about where she lives or whom she lives with because no matter how " Old School " or independent we are there is a point when "carrying on regardless" is a risk and it reduces how well we are , especially with untreatable conditions .

Accepting help and some changes are things your Mum will need to do to help improve her life , but also to help you and the family too because worry doesn't do any of you any good either.

Take care , and big pat on the back for reaching out to the forum to try to help your Mum. Bee