EF of 31% with Atrial Fibrillation

[racer373]

I recently got diagnosed with severe EV dysfunction along with Atrial Fibrillation. Before I noticed my AF i was drinking bottle of wine 5 out of 7 nights a week.

That was 8 weeks ago, since then have stopped drinking, lost weight and continued to exercise. Ive also been prescribed medication to help.

I've heard encouraging stories where my EF can improve but a recent google search(I know its a bad idea!) stated that there is no cure and that life expectancy is 5 to 10 years which has really worried me.

I'm seeing my cardiologist on Wednesday so hopefully will know more about my condition then.

Has anyone been in a similar position and improved there EF?

Bisoprolol 2.5mg

Apixaban 5 mg

Dapagliflozin 10mg

Spironolactone 25mg

sacubitril valsartan 2 x 25mg

[TheBesty]

Hi there,

I was a heavy drinker (10-15 pints a night) & a prolific class A drug user, plus worked a very busy day job full time, I was hospitalised with cardiomyopathy LVEF 13%.

I have been sober for 13 months now and I'm on a load of medication, list on my bio. Changed diet completely, don't eat any crap anymore at all.

My last echo was 31% and due for my next echo this December which I feel will be higher.

Don't read the 5-10 year thing, thats for someone with no medication. Every case of heart failure is different, and some of the medication we are on today has not even been on the market for 5-10 years yet so that data and expectancy is outdated.

[racer373 in reply to TheBesty]

Thanks TheBesty I really appreciate your reply. It's the worry and guilt that's getting to me. It's good to hear positive stories. Hopefully when I see my Cardiologist on Wednesday he can also put my mind at rest.

Although I'm sure there will be challenges, I'm looking forward to a life without alcohol. Your story is inspirational, I hope your EF continues to improve in December.

Thanks

[TheBesty in reply to racer373]

Thanks.. One way of looking at the alcohol aspect in a positive light, is to think yourself lucky that you can make one lifestyle change that can relieve so much pressure on your heart, quitting drinking can make a massive positive impact on your heart... All we have to do is stop poisoning ourselves, its a no brainer really eh 😆

The fit & Healthy, sober people with heart issues don't have such luxury so owe it to them & our hearts to stop drink, narcotics, fast food etc.

[Alicant in reply to TheBesty]

Those are wise words..ie the fit and healthy …we owe it to them…well said friend..

[iansHealth1 in reply to TheBesty]

A very great amount of respect young fella. Sensible with it.

Keep and stay well.

Ian

[Mentdent]

The five to ten years includes all those who don’t change their life styles, die from other things and are old already. Don’t read too much into that.

[TheBesty in reply to Mentdent]

Yeah i was thinking loads of 85+ year olds that get diagnosed wouldnt last 10 years regardless of heart issues, and its more common in the elderly... If i was offered to live to 85, I'd bite an arm off for that.

[Poppeye]

Hi...good for you getting yourself sober!

Do you consider yourself alcoholic? did you get any help with quitting?

I ask because I am on this forum trying to find some help for my wife who is alcoholic, has heart failure (LVrEF 30-35%) yet is unable to stop drinking 14 units 7 days/week.

The addiction to alcohol seems to have robbed her of the ability to take the decision to quit, even in the face of the incontrovertible evidence that it is harming her health and survival prospects.

How do you take that first step? Everyone always says that the alcoholic has to want to quit themselves, there is nothing you can do to help them. But how does the alcoholic take the decision to quit when the decision to quit is denied to them by the addiction itself? Was was it that helped you to make that decision?

Good luck in your journey without alcohol...I quit myself 6 years ago, trying to help my wife give up too (it didn't help) and I don't miss it at all...but then I am not an alcoholic. It is really difficult if you are.

[Frank1803]

Yep I am about the same,diagnosed about 3years ago,was a bout drinker.Stopped drinking ,did what they said or most of it...but the pills really help,really help..I can walk a good distance ,say a few miles without any discomfort.Ignore Google.There are people on here that have HF and afib and have good lives.Hopefully things improve .You are on Entresto,and if you are tolerant of it that's great because it really is a fantastic drug.

[Doublef in reply to Frank1803]

What makes entresto so good

[Frank1803]

I am not a doctor or pharmacist but I was told my condition could improve if I was tolerant to Entresto...some people say it is a ' miracle' drug for HF...The heart nurses gradually increased my dosage over 6 mths ..all other drugs stayed at the same dosage.My condition improved..I was very tired after 100yds say and a small incline could be difficult...now a couple of mile at a reasonable pace is fine...no alcohol either....I still have Afib and HF and diabetes and COPD...but honestly I feel fine...for 70...so keep doing what they suggest ...and give theMeds a chance ,hopefully you will get a positive result