Heart Failure

I don't think so.

Not medically, it's a very precise diagnosis and I think she would be in hospital. Wonder what is really going on with her, does she need some tlc?

She has always been an attention seeker and her DH is in very poor health. I think it might be be a "Look at me too" reaction. It's not new!

Time to go the slightly-sympathetic-but-bracing-with-it route? "Yes, you were so lucky that they pulled you out of that and got your heart working properly again, weren't you? It was so worrying for everyone - and now DH is in bad health and you can be strong for him!"

Perhaps she means her heart is failing her emotionally. As cornergran says it is a specific clinical diagnosis identified by signs, symptoms and tests- its not a silent thing.

My mother told me her GP had told her " her heart was failing" when she was 76. She was feeling neglected and we took her on a holiday. It was never mentioned again and she lived to 101.
Don't fall too hard for it.

Thanks for the advice - accords with what I suspect is the case. She has always used her health as either an excuse (e.g.for not exercising) or when sympathy seeking.

In the past we have had "suspected bowel cancer" "a spastic colon" "brain tumour" "arthritis of the spine" and now this - "heart failure".None of those mentioned have developed into actual conditions. The diabetes, which she does have, has been a rich source of other symptoms too.

Oh dear! I sound very cynical and unkind but I love her dearly and try to be supportive through it all. Her DH does have real issues but she rubbishes them and is not very kind to him and always turns everything back to herself.She does not like me to ask about him and how he is.They have had a difficult marriage with a lot of financial problems - and still have.

Because I listen to her and try to support her it does tend to, dare I say, encourage her. I did suggest that she needs an urgent appointment with her GP if she really thinks she is in heart failure.I suspect not but I hope I am not wrong in my view.

My husband died of end stage heart failure. If she had had such a diagnosis all sorts of medical interventions and tests would be done to ensure the correct medication is given. As well as medication intensive tests would be done to see if she would benefit from the new specialised pacemakers. Think that she's looking for some attention and tlc again.

Why would anyone claim to be in heart failure if they had not been told so by a doctor ? it is a specific condition and can not always be detected by just looking at people. My neighbour has heart failure and if you saw him in the street you would not know there was anything wrong and he has a defibrillator in his chest.

Keep pushing her to see her GP and get the appropriate treatment/medication/advice. Then if it is heart failure she will be in the right hands, and if it isn't the GP will reassure her that all is OK. She sounds like someone who won't believe good news on her health, but she needs a professional diagnosis.

Well my pestering her to go and see her GP has paid off and she went this morning. He has ordered an ECG and blood tests so we may get a more accurate diagnosis than her own "I'm in heart failure".

She was a nurse for 2 years in the 1950s and has always self-diagnosed the worst possible complaint for any symptoms! I really do think she is attention seeking as her poor DH is not well and she resents the attention he gets. Our Mum was the same. She once claimed to have a fractured spine after a fall upon her (well-padded) bottom which the Dr diagnosed as bruising!

Thanks everyone. I appreciate the responses.

I had a heart attack fourteen years ago, I was diagnosed with heart failure. I know my heart doesn't work brilliantly but I doubt if any one else would know.

My DS got her results last Friday - ECG and 8 blood tests and as I hoped they are all fine. Her GP thinks she has been having panic attacks caused by stress.

The stress has hit a higher level again as her DH had a major stroke last week and is paralysed on his right side and has lost his speech. He is in hospital having intensive physiotherapy and treatment.

For your sister and her hubby, gaga, and some for you

Panic attacks are terrifying.

and that was a very obvious thing to say

In answer to the initial question - no! I had a heart attack 16 years ago. I never think about it now. I'm active, I take a few precautions, and take my medication, but on the whole I believe my heart to be ok. Heart failure is something else entirely. She does sound very anxious and does probably need to address that via the GP.

Gagagran was she a qualified nurse or a nursing assistant, picking up bits and pieces of information en route.

Well ultimately heart failure is what we all die from so she has a point.