HF Update

[Kennydope]

I was diagnosed with HF in May after being admitted into hospital with Pulmonary Oedema and acute heart failure. After suffering an in hospital cardiac arrest and Cardiogenic shock I left hospital after 1 month being diagnosed with heart failure! It’s been a bit of a rollercoaster but I’ve bee On two long holidays since and been back to work full time! Determined not to let it get me down ! Now back in the gym and on the treadmill and light weights! It’s the mental side that I’ve found difficult! Just had my first visit to my cardiologist and he assured me my prognosis was good but I’m still worrying! My EF was %23 when I left and haven’t had another since but the cardiologist says by the sound of it my EF has gone up and I will have another in echo in the summer before my next appointment and then he’ll sign me off back to my doctor but keep an open appointment for me. All seems really quick! I read about other people having yearly echos !

[BeKind28-]

Hello

What a lot you have been through and look at you now back at work going to the gym I really admire you as I had 3 heart attacks and a triple Bypass as well as suffering with how the Mental side of it all has left me which I think is normal for some and could never do what you have achieved

It sounds so positive as well what you Consultant has said at your appointment I would take that feedback and remember his words when you are doubting things even though easier said than done I know

I think if you have got to a stage where mentally understandably this has affected you where you cannot deal with it on your own some Therapy or Counselling would help

You can speak with your Doctor who can refer you even in some areas it can be a long waiting list or you can go on line and put in I think it is called Talking Therapy others will correct me if I am wrong with that and refer yourself

Depending how bad this is affecting you and I know we all cannot afford it especially as things are now but you can get private Counselling

I hope others will come and give you some more feedback but know how you feel is normal and know how well you are doing

Let us know how you get on x

[Kennydope in reply to BeKind28-]

Thanks for your kind words. I did go through a lot. I was on an Echmo machine for 2 weeks. I’m back to feeling physically fit now and as I say it’s just the mental side. If I continue feeling like this then maybe I’ll seek some counselling. I find the gym really helps. I’m up to 35 mins cardio now.

[BeKind28- in reply to Kennydope]

Hello

You are doing so well

They say the gym helps or any kind of exercise with MH

It may not be the weather for it but walking can be a good thing to going out in the fresh air

I hope whatever way you manage to get to a better place with how you feel as you deserve it x

[Kennydope in reply to BeKind28-]

Thanks BKind. I do go walking as well. Normally try to walk 10000 steps every other day on top of the gym . Exercise does really help MH

[BeKind28- in reply to Kennydope]

Hello

Yes it does x

[Yumz199725]

Wow you have been through alot! And your back to normal life that's incredible hope your echo shows more improvement of your EF x

[Kennydope]

Thanks . I feel so much better I’d be surprised if my EF hasn’t gone up but it’s a wait and see. I’m on the highest dose of entresto,dapa, bisoprole etc

[Kennydope]

Thanks PinkKizzie. I’m not 100% sure my EF improved but I certainly feel a lot better. I went to Bart’s last Friday to see the cardiologist and was hoping to have another echo but he wants to leave it until the summer. My EF was 5-10 % when I was admitted to hospital. It went up to 23% whilst in hospital on Ramipril in the ICU. The cardiologist says he thinks it would have improved by my fitness levels and no HF symptoms! Im lucky to still be here to be honest. They didn’t give me much chance of survival when I was admitted but I somehow made it through. I’ve completed the Cardio Rehab course which was really helpful. I went to the gym regularly before the event so was shocked by what happened! I went to the hospital thinking it was a virus as I was feeling unwell and breathless!

[Kennydope]

Hi PinkKizzie it sounds like you’ve been through a lot too. I can understand why you chose not to attempt another pacemaker. I have a CRT-d. I wasn’t sure when they asked me but my daughter wanted me to have it so I went along with it. Glad i did now.your EF can improve with the meds and exercise. Hopefully when you see the cardiologist in 2025 yours will have gone up.

[Noodlesalad]

Gosh you have been through such alot and very stressful time, hope you are ok now.

[gorillaqueen]

Wow you have been through the wars as they say. So good to hear you are now back to normal and living the best life you can. Good luck good health and a happy positive future 🍀😊

[Qualipop]

Since my heart attack when I was told I had two more blockages besides the one that were stented ( The other two weren't quite bad enough for stents), my GP arranges an echo for me almost every year, presumably to check whether those blockages have got worse. I only learned last week that an echo doesn't actually check the arteries but only the musculature of the heart and the EF.

[Harveyone]

Sounds like your doing great keep up the good work.