Saw the Cardiologist today, I'm now even more anxious than ever.

[puddy68]

Hi Everyone

Thank you all for your lovely replies to my original post. I saw the cardiologist today and he says he thinks my PH is primarily caused by my asthma/perhaps COPD. He didn't put me on any medications at this stage. He wants an ultra sound done on my heart in September [[2 months away!] to compare to my last ultra sound that was done 2 years ago when I was in hospital with the flu and pneumonia. He doesn't seem to think I need medications as yet, but, and this is the part I'm freaking out about, he said my prognosis didn't look good. I tried to push him in to telling me how many years I had left, but he said he couldn't give a number, that there were too many factors/variables involved. He said it's not as bad if I was in another "WHO" category, but I am absolutely beside myself.....has anyone been told that there prognosis isn't good, but went on to live for many years? Please help me if you can.

[Marvel3000]

Hi,Sorry this person does not sound very helpful at all. Is PH - pulmonary hypertension?

[puddy68 in reply to Marvel3000]

Hi Marvel3000. No, he's a cardiologist - am now in the process of getting a secondary opinion with a Pulmonary Hypertension Specialist.

[Marvel3000 in reply to puddy68]

PH specialist are the best people to seek advise from. There are medications that can help but as mentioned by JeremiahObadiah it really does depends on other factors like lifestyle and other illnesses too. Try not to focus on the little information you have so far and continue focusing on getting healthier.

[JeremiahObadiah]

Maybe you should ask the medical professional what you can best do to live as long and as healthily as possible.

You may already know the answer to this. You previously mentioned that you have radically modified your lifestyle. Have you been able to sustain your new approach to life? Is there anything else you can tweak?

The Dr may have meant that with the lifestyle you had your estimated potential lifespan was compromised. If you have given up your damaging habits your prognosis might be totally other. I hope so.

If you need help to maintain your healthy living would there be counselling or therapists you can access? If you feel you need support then it would be worth asking for it.

[Warm-heart]

Hi, I highly recommend this book (link below) written by a cardiologist. I have heart issues and recently seeing my cardiologist she said my heart is functioning well considering my issues and that is down to my diet and lifestyle she said. This is the book I use for steering my diet and it works.

amazon.co.uk/Pioppi-Diet-21...

And do find a way to destress that works for you as stress & worry of course make health decline, & don't let the prognosis you are given determine your determination to live. Such a negative outcome in our thinking is known as the 'nocebo effect' and can make the body believe it is only going to survive so long. 'You are the Placebo' by Dr Joe Dispenza is also a brilliant & inspiring read!

amazon.co.uk/You-Are-Placeb...

I wish you the very best.