heart issues

Thanks everyone for your input. I've now joined the BHF forum. I was a member of Cardiomyopathy uk but didn't renew my membership so will do that too.

Best wishes to all

I also have heart problems and additional health issues what I would say is.

Follow your consultants advice and get on with enjoying the life you have.

I do make the best of every day and know that nothing is guaranteed in life. I appreciate everything I have, my family and the people around me. I try not to take anything for granted and know that life can change in a split second.

We all have a life to live.

Thanks.

I think, secretly, we all wish we could go the way Fennel's dad went. But, we can't really choose. In the meanwhile, just make the best of today, because tomorrow is not promised, whether you have a heart problem or not.

Meant to add sorry about your Dad x

Thanks Fennel. That's probably the way I'm gonna go but not yet I hope, I'm only 61! I'll up my onions and garlic...

Alliss - I know it's not the same as your condition.
But my Dad was diagnosed with an enlarged aorta when he was in his 50s. It's a very serious heart condition, he only told Mum about it . We didn't find out about it until after his death.
He dropped dead suddenly at the age of 84 when his aorta finally burst, and after a full active life.
I wish I could go that way.
My mother always made sure he had one onion a day, in some form. She had been told it was good for the heart.

I have Paroxysmal Atrial Fibrillation and take a tiny dose of beta blocker and also an anti-coagulant. I bung in a bit more beta-blocker when it happens; and then it stops. Just a bit of a nuisance. OH has exactly the same thing.

Hope you're feeling better and you get the results you want from your echo. I'm waiting for the results of my 3rd echo to see if there is any improvement in heart function from last one a year ago. Like you I don't smoke but do have the occasional glass of red wine, which my cardiologist is ok about. I've always been active.

There was talk at the beginning of my diagnoses about perhaps needing a pace-maker in the future depending how my condition develops. So far I feel just the same as before and hope that can continue.

The British Heart Foundation are very good. Thanks for your response and best wishes with your echo.

Hi, I had a HA and stent at the end of Feb. this year. Completely out of the blue, I don’t drink or smoke, I’m wasn’t over weight and lost another 15lb because I was so poorly, the Cardiologist tells me it’s probably genetic.
I’m now waiting for another Echocardiogram to see if I need a pacemaker. I hope not as apart from the medication side effects I feel OK. I belong to the British Heart Foundation and they have a good online support group called Health Unlocked. There is always someone to reassure you. I don’t feel so alone.

Thankyou so much for your replies. Good to hear your friend is well after 15yrs urmstongran. I think it is the initial shock at diagnoses. I started reading up on 'tinternet and everything I could get my hands on to learn more about the condition.

At first I thought better write my bucket list! Now I just carry on as normal, whatever that is!

Sorry that you have been 'proper poorly' tartlet.

My cardiologist and heart failure nurse said to carry on with exercise and hill walking so long as I feel ok. I sometimes feel I get more tired after physical activity but that could be just an age thing anyway!

Hope you remain well and enjoy your days as much as you can. I intend to and I don't let it get me down.

I think it's because it's your heart and obviously such a vital organ is what is the scary bit. You can't see what's going on.

No-one knows apart from people who are close to me and we don't really talk about it because I don't want to be treated any differently. I'm still 'me'.

Once again thanks for responding.

I think if I was completely asymptomatic I'd try to put the diagnosis to the back of my mind, take the medication and just get on with life as normal. Best not to dwell on it probably.

I was (eventually) diagnosed with persistent atrial fibrillation caused by dilated atria over 10 years ago. Add in a mitral valve problem and remitting/relapsing pleural pericarditis for good measure. The latter can be very nasty indeed.

A couple of years ago I had a particularly bad episode of the pericarditis (inflammation of the sac containing the heart) and spent three weeks in hospital over the Christmas and New year period because I also developed myocarditis (inflammation of the heart muscle) on top and was what my granny used to call 'proper poorly'. That left me with scar tissue which restricts the pumping of the heart somewhat. But as yet, I don't have heart failure, and cardiologist advice is always to keep challenging myself physically. But some days, I can't do much at all and just try to make the most of the better days.

So my advice is try not to worry and just carry on as long as you can.

Our friend was most unwell 15 years ago. He was 50y. Admitted to hospital and after a few days cardiomyopathy was diagnosed.

The good news is, all these years on, he is (fairly) fit and healthy.

He takes medication and has an annual consultation with his cardiologist. But after that initial scare all is good.

I hope your prognosis is as positive. Why not? Good luck going forward. x

OK thanks for replying.

I think your condition is different from mine, so just follow the advice that your doctors give.

I do have a healthy diet, plenty of veg, fish, nuts and seeds, and have always been active, mainly fell walking which is good cardio exercise, so this diagnosis was a big shock as it was only picked up on when I went to GP for the first time in about 10yrs with a chest infection that just wouldn't clear up.

GP took my blood pressure and listened to heart. Pulse was high and she wanted me to have the ECG. That came back abnormal and that's when I was referred to a cardiologist and he arranged for me to have the MRI scan.

I have a home blood pressure monitor so I can keep an eye on things. It's always high in the surgery , white coat syndrome! Have worn the 24hr monitor twice and consultant has been happy with the results.

Thanks so much for responding. going to do a bit of gardening, it's a steep garden!

I had what seemed to be a small heart attack back in 2006. Some of my coronary arteries were blocked (smoking in my youth acc. to the specialist) and I had 2 stents inserted.
Together with other heart patients we had a few talks among which exercise. Build up slowly the distance and speed - in general it's good to exercise the heart . It is a kind of muscle.
I take beta blockers and statins like you, also one for blood pressure. They said it would be for the rest of my life.
The other talks were about diet, smoking etc. Can't remember now.

Thanks so much for your reply, much appreciated. It's just learning to live with it on a day to day basis. As I said earlier, I don't have any symptoms at the moment such as swelling of ankles or breathlessness, so am able to carry on really as I always have apart from taking it a bit more slowly going uphill or lifting things. I know it's important to remain positive and active so that's how I'm managing it.

Allassinsane, I was diagnosed back in 2006 with Atrial Fibrillation. After having had the usual tests such as you've mentioned, nothing appeared to have been found concerning disease of the heart except that it wasn't pumping the blood around as efficiently as it should meaning that pools of blood were collecting then causing the " palpitations " when released in blobs.
The conclusion in this type of heart problem was heart-failure and I was put on warfarin to stop any clots from forming and also candesartan and statins as well as bisoprolol and spironolactone.
I didn't take this final diagnosis as a death sentence as with a good diet gentle exercise and the medication, a person with heart-failure can live for many years now after diagnosis.
The candesartan eventually had adverse effects which reduced my blood pressure far too much so I haven't taken them for years, with no more ill effects and a normal blood pressure.
I do take things far more easy than when I was working, obviously, but I was told to do so by the doctor attending to me.
However I've remained quite well over the years and learn not to over-tax myself as the secret is not giving the heart too much to do when the pumping mechanism is wearing out. A bit like a failing pump on a washing machine-----don't overload it then it doesn't have to work as hard.
Don't be scared , though if you do have genuine concerns speak to the GP.

Should add I occasionally have palpitations but these go after a while.

I was diagnosed with dilated cardiomyopathy following a very bad chest infection which took a long time to clear up. Also a diagnoses of heart failure. So far I have no symptoms, it was picked up on an ECG and then an MRI scan showed in more detail the cardiomyopathy with left bundle branch block. Had an echocardiogram a couple of weeks ago to see if there is any improvement in heart function from the last one I had a year ago. I see a consultant every six months. I'm waiting for the results of that. I attended cardio-rehab which helped give me more confidence exercising, I love hill walking and my consultant has been happy for me to carry on as at the moment I'm asymptomatic. I take a beta blocker and candersartan. I did join an online support group but just wondered if there was anyone on GN with similar problems. I do get on with my life and enjoy all the things I did before my diagnoses but it's always there at the back of my mind. My husband is very supportive. Thanks

Hello! It might help if you gave a little more information. What is your actual diagnosis? What help/information have you been given over the past two years?