Hi, I have recently been diagnosed with heart failure. It was quite a shock and initially really frightening but I have now come to terms with this and am wanting to be as healthy as I can. I am trying lots of different gentle exercise classes, taking on some new interests and being kind to myself. I have reignited my interest in cooking and experimenting with food. I am looking for the best ways to deal with my heart failure, menopause and arthritis in both knees. Although I get tired easily I feel like I have a new lease of life and a second chance to make the best of it and do not intend to waste this chance. Before my diagnosis I was feeling very stressed and at times felt as if I was just surviving/existing and sort of waiting for death or dementia. I was stressed with a demanding job, becoming more and more exhausted with no energy to do the things in life that I used to love. Now, I feel more positive and empowered to change my future. I have been ignoring my health for too long until I can no longer take a blase attitude and am so far finding it very empowering and enlightening. It is still early days and I do not yet have a full health plan from my Cardiologist and I am using this waiting time to educate myself and decide what i want out of life. I hope to meet some like minded people on here and am sure I can learn a lot from you all and may even be able to offer some positive contributions.
Introduction: Hi, I have recently been... - British Heart Fou...
Introduction
good afternoon
Have full empathy for your condition. Been there had the eventual by pass op
I found a tiredness that creeped upon me without notice
Every day was tired morn noon n night
One trick I use is to do a small task however big or small everyday
you will do jobs you never thought about and really raises feel good factor
Hi, thank you for your message. That is good advice. Initially I found it really frustrating getting tired and not being able to do things I would have taken for granted before. But now I try to focus on how much I am improving and celebrate the little victories. It has been a real wake up call and made me appreciate things a lot more
I had a quad bypass 3 months ago , still get tired etc
Get up on a morning , within a couple hours still heading for couch - sometimes have more energy
Learn to listen to your body and react accordingly . Keep warm I’m paranoid about been cold internally
I used to think I was the only one with these symptoms
But reading this forum and chatting to the medics
I’m normal
It is frightening getting a diagnosis of heart failure. I found I had severe heart failure 5 years ago, and am still here! My problem now is a dicky hip, which makes getting a good amount of exercise rather difficult.
It means heart inefficiency rather than that your heart is about to give up, and medication and a healthy life-style can enable you to cope. If you are offered a cardio rehab course most of us nave found them very useful for graded exercise and information.
Hi, I have registered for the online cardio rehab course. I understand the difficulties of exercising when you have other health problems that limit what you can do. I have arthritis in both knees. I find stretching and strengthening classes are good such as yoga, pilates and tai chi but its a case of finding a class that caters for people with limited movement. I did some online classes with an arthritis group and they were really good. Have you tried the aqua classes? I did an aquarobics class a while back and it was fun.
I think you’ve taken the first steps, inasmuch it sounds like you’re being positive towards your health and being honest with yourself.
If I can say anything, it will be do things gently; if you set yourself a task and don’t complete it, there’s always another day.
Best of luck, listen to your body and never feel you can’t reach out to those health professionals that look after us so well.
Thank you. I do have a tendency to try to do too much but I have learnt to be more patient with myself. Life is different now. In many ways it is better as I am more focussed on making positive improvements and feel in a better place than before. I was always very stressed, working extra hours and always feeling like I wasn't doing enough and being exhausted doing it. Its been a wake up call that I needed and being off work has given me the time to try different things that can benefit my health. Reading the prognosis for heart failure online saying may live 5 years or if really lucky may live 10 years was frightening. It has been good to find positive people living well and long with a heart failure diagnosis.
Hi Crystallinetiger
It is a very normal reaction to feel scared / shocked/ disbelief but it’s fantastic you have such a positive attitude … alongside professional input there is so much you can do . It’s great you are already finding activities and tweaking your life towards a healthy lifestyle
Alongside joining a local U3A group, where I joined Tai Chi, gentle yoga and craft groups I found Pumping Marvellous heart failure support group ( on line ) a great source of support and information.
I was 60 yr when got my diagnosis out of the blue, but my life has taken on a richer and more fulfilling outlook on life. It has taken time to climb from class 4 heart failure to class1 with a few hiccups along the way.
As previous posts suggest listen to your body and reach out to your health team to get the support and treatment ( chase up if required )
Best wishes
I was
Hi...it's great that you are being positive and are going to make the most of your situation. The actual name heart failure makes it all seem more scary initially. Someone once said on the forum that it should be called heart inefficiency which to me is far more appropriate and true. I try to stick to a Mediterranean diet...plus only use Extra Virgin olive oil, eat a handful of almonds every day, avocado...lots of fruit and veg. I exercise daily but know when to rest. Have you looked at Pumping Marvellous...very informative and helpful site. I hope you continue being positive and enthusiastic and make the most of things. It's getting used to a new normal isn't it? All the best and take care xx
Thank you for your kind words. I was reading Pumping Marvellous last night. Its great there are sites like this. I was diagnosed at the beginning of October and still do not have a health plan and have not been provided with any information about support or even had the diagnosis discussed. I have moved GP as the one I was with was horrendous and didn't even do the referral to Cardiology properly. Fortunately it is possible to find support and information online which has helped me understand what is happening. I have my first appointment with my new GP next week/ Still waiting for an appointment with a NHS Cardiologist but have had an ECG and Echocardiogram with them. I went to see a private Cardiologist as I needed to know what I was dealing with and he sent me for a CT scan and my next appointement is in 2 weeks so should find out what the plan is going forward. Great to see positivity on here.
I found the more knowledgeable I became and had a better understanding , the better I dealt with things and I don't even really discuss my HF much . Mine developed through severe valve regurgitation and delays with op but I try not to dwell on it and make the best of living with it. Fortunately in two years , I haven't had to visit my GP or cardiologist for anything heart related...apart from the usual scans and check ups...blood tests and health checks. I am extremely fortunate to have the facility of a fantastic GP and surgery and a cardiac clinic at the hospital that make me feel more confident should I need any help at any time. This forum is a great source of support and information and people have been very kind to me since being on it. I hope your GP appointment goes well and that reports from the cardiologist are positive. Take care xx
I'm sorry to hear of your recent diagnosis of HF, it does knock you for 6 when you're told. My husband has HF, his nurse said she cannot emphasis enough the importance of getting enough rest when that tiredness/weariness comes over you, don't try & push yourself through it. It's also very difficult when you have comorbidities.
Have you been assigned to a specialist HF nurse? Under NICE guidelines you should be referred to the specialist nurses, if they're available in your area.
Hi, thank you for your response. No I have not been assigned a specialist HF nurse. I haven't had my first appointment withe the NHS Cardiologist yet. I will ask at my next GP appointment. Thanks
I do not have the same condition as you, mine is paroxysmal A.Fib. I cannot help but think what a greatly encouraging post this is for anyone newly diagnosed with any heart condition. It took me over 18 months to get to where you are now. Well done and thank you.
Thank you for your kind words. I was in shock and did cry a few times but wasn't going to get any support from the GP I had at the time so had to pull myself together to fight for the care I needed. I did feel really lost but by researching online I was able to find information and support which has really helped. Hopefully, other people have better GPs than I had who will discuss their diagnosis and provide information on the condition and support groups available.
In this new journey, what I found very useful and what helped me alot , was self monitoring! Keep accurate BP records everyday, when starting off. This will tell you how you are doing, how you are progressing, how well your meds are helping. Armed with this information you will feel confident about speaking to your GP and other health professionals, when you have problems along the way. N.B. the phatmacists are also very useful.
I hear you and emphasis with you last year 13th September 2023 to be precise aged 49 had echocadiogram on 14th Hospital asked me to attend hospital immediately. They told me I had severe Heart Failure 20% function. I was shocked, emotional. But have come to terms with it Fast forward to January 2024 I had echocadiogram repeat to check if medication was working. And thankfully increased to 32% function. Yes now I have lots if medication but slowly improving. My next appointment in January I need to give my cardiologist an answer of whether I want a defibrillator fitted. It won't improve my symptoms. But could save my life if the worst happens..
Sending hugs
Shabana
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Heart failure, seven years on
How do people balance exercise and rest?
