Heart Failure with severe LVSD

[SadlerJ]

I was recently diagnosed with heart failure with severe LVSD and a EF of 24%. I am now wondering what life looks like for me. It's being treated by numerous tablets. I have lots of questions and anxiety about what I can and can't do. Does anyone else have the same who can tell me

[Redapples123]

hi yes it’s very worrying as I had a heart attack 2016 but diagnosed hf around three years ago 31ef I take meds but although I still worry a lot I try to mk myself live as normal as possible enjoy walking stop if feel breathless

[scribbles-80]

Hi SadlerJ, it can be quite a scary and worrying time when you are first diagnosed with any issue related to your heart health as suddenly the boundaries of what you are capable of or what you feel you are capable of have changed. Heart failure is such an unhelpful term as it doesn’t mean that your heart is actually failing, it’s just not working as well as it should. It’s been over three years since my heart failure diagnosis and my mixture of medications has not only improved my EF but has enabled me to recover and pretty much return to a normal life-including returning to full time employment and exercise. I found that giving myself time to heal, accepting that there will be good days and bad, and not focusing on the EF figure too much but using how I feel as an indicator of overall health. At times it wasn’t easy but if you take things one day at a time it is possible to return to a state that feels more like the “you” that you expect and remember.

[SadlerJ in reply to scribbles-80]

Hi thank you for your reply how long was it before you could return to full time work please? What type of job do you do

[scribbles-80 in reply to SadlerJ]

Hi SadlerJ

I work in IT Support at a busy college and my role can be fairly active, especially during the holidays. It was about 5 months after my heart attack and AVR operation before I was strong enough to return to work and I did have a phased return after seeing an occupational health therapist. I sometimes think that the hardest part of my recovery was fighting the fear and trying to figure out what I could do whilst staying within my comfort zone. It has changed me as a person in so many ways, many of which are surprisingly positive but it did take time and patience to learn that living with HF isn’t all doom and gloom. Be kind to yourself.

[Shar28]

Hello and welcome to the forum. I think what you can and can’t do depends on your own individual condition, including the cause of the LVSD, and what your consultant says.

If you’re not already doing so, I’d suggest keeping a daily diary recording your meds, BP & heart rate, how you’re feeling and what you’ve been doing. Then you have actual evidence of how you’re progressing to review and see what’s enough and what’s too much and also discuss with your Dr.

Also, jot down any questions you think of then when you do see someone you’ll have them handy.

Best wishes to you and your loved ones.

[45sue]

My brother was diagnosed with heart failure with severe LVSD 18 months ago with a severely leaking mitral valve which he is too frail to have repaired ( now age 87) but his condition can be managed by medication . A specialist cardiac nurse visited for several months & adjusted his meds until his heart was back in normal rhythm and his EF improved. He takes a daily walk and his life is much as before as long as he adjusts to things that make him breathless such as walking uphill. It takes time to get the meds right so make sure you have good medical oversight and live in hope of improvement .

[schubert980]

I have had non-ischaemic dilated cardiomyopathy for 11 years and started with an EF of 13%. I did well on standard treatment until 2 years ago when I had dapagliflozin and entresto added. All these pills, currently 14 a day, have undoubtedly saved my life and very grateful I am too. Over the next couple of years you should get a steady improvement in EF and how you feel. Good luck!