Afib, Pacemaker & now Congestive Heart failure.

Hello All,
It has been a while since I had my PM put in (April 2010). I have struggled with it and finally got used to it. I a tired all of the time and I thought that it was because of the Afib & the PM.
Last Thursday night I felt very bloated, could not get a good breath and was extremely weak.
I saw my doctor Friday morning and he said that I was in congestive heart failure. He prescribed lasix & potassium, sent me for blood work and a chest x-ray. Today I have a heart echo and the veins in my neck check.
My question is.......can congestive heart failure be cured or control? I never have a good day and I am only 65. I feel like that I am losing this battle. In my profile I posted my heart history if you would like to read it. It is too long to write it again and I get so tired just being on the computer. Any comment will be greatly appreciated.
Thank you for your help.
Bobbie from West Monroe, Louisiana

4 Comments

Options

by golden_snitch - 2013-05-20 04:05:01

Hi Bobbie,

I'm not sure that it can be cured, but there are several treatment options to help you feel a lot better and stabilize your condition. Drugs are one option, another might be to upgrade your pacemaker to a system with three leads, so that both ventricles are stimulated. Some pacemaker patients develop heart failure because their ventricles are beating out of sync: one being stimulated (usually the right), the other not, so that one pumps a little bit earlier than the other. Due to this loss of synchrony, the overall function of the ventricles might be reduced (lower ejection fraction, EF).

Since you have AF, you're also losing the so called "atrial kick". In a normal functioning heart, this usually doesn't make such a big difference, but if the function of your ventricles is impaired, then not having an atrial kick can make your symptoms even worse.

Hand in there! There are definitely treatment options for you, and you are not losing the battle. Once all the tests have been completed, I'm sure that your cardio will come up with a plan - or, by that time, the drugs he's prescribed have already helped you. If he doesn't mention a bi-ventricular pacemaker (also called "CRT" = cardiac resynchronization therapy), I'd ask him if this could be an option for you.

I have a friend who was diagnosed with heart failure about 12 years ago. At that time she had an EF of 27%, normal is 60%-80%. She was put on drugs and had a bi-ventricular pacemaker implanted. Today, her EF is back up at 45%-50%, she can work 30 hours/week, can do some endurance training etc. - she's doing a lot better now :)

Hope you get better soon!

Inga

CHF

by Grateful Heart - 2013-05-20 11:05:10

I have a Bi-V ICD for 4+ years now. My EF went from 24% to currently 50%-55%. Just wanted to say that in some instances it can be turned around just like Inga said about her friend.

You're not losing the battle, just need another approach. Sounds like your Doctor is working on it for you.

Take care,

Grateful Heart

CHF

by fishfighter - 2013-05-21 04:05:31

I been living with it just a little over 2 1/2 years. I'm in need of a transplant, but due to the CHF eating me alive, I can no longer be listed.

Yes, it is a very rocky road ahead for you. Your cardo Dc will be limiting your fluid intake each day. You will have to weight yourself each day. NO SALT! If you are a little overweight, that has to go.

As tired as you are, try to get out for a short walk. The more you lay around, the more fluid will build up. Do whatever you can to stay active.

Oh, I'm only 55 years old.

Can heart failure be cured?

by Selwyn - 2013-05-21 08:05:23

Heart failure is a symptom, it's cure depends on the cause. Clearly, some of the causes of cardiac failure are more difficult to treat than others - if the underlying cause ( e.g. hypertension, arrhythmias, valve disease, severe anaemia, coronary disease etc...) is corrected, then there is a cure.

Ask as to the cause of your heart failure, you may then have the answer to your question.

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But I think it will make me feel a lot better. My stamina to walk is already better, even right after surgery. They had me walk all around the floor before they would release me. I did so without being exhausted and winded the way I had been.