6 month check-up

I have only been a member since mid-March 2013. I have a Boston Scientific CRT-D. I had a virus that attacked my heart and I was being treated for severe asthma for about 6 months prior. After taking myself to the ER and demanding someone to find out what was going on because it was not asthma. Many test later, 3 doctors and an echo-cardiogram I had 2 blockages AND an EF of 11. Over the next 9 months that my insurance required before they would approve the CRT-D, I had to work and my heart was so weak that I could not keep protein down. I lost 125 pounds during that time. The good news is that I only qualified for the defibrillator but now I qualified for the CRT as well. Mine is bi-ventricular with 3 leads. I am paced 100% of the time and I do have a quality of life now not to mention a better quality. I lost the ability to sing during this time and now what was once a strong voice is now whisper, but it is getting better and I will sing again. With the medication before the surgery my EF rose to 15 once and one time it was as high as 22. My question is in October I will have another echo-cardiogram and I was wondering how high does the EF change for you? Also, does it still continue to improve longer? I still have not been able to work a full week and sometime I MUST sleep for 13+ hours. I caught a cold from one of my Grandkids and I have had it for a month now. Finally it is getting better. Oh, I guess I should admit that I am 61 years of age. I am needing to retire in Jan 2014 due to stress at work. I have 34 years in my present job and I will be OK. I will need to work part-time somewhere to make sure though. Anyway I am thankful for this site and I have done much research, read all of the recommended books here, and search out other ones. There is one, HEART 411 that is very good. Thanks for taking your time to read this and even more so as I continue to get answers too.

3 Comments

Takes a while

by PacerRep - 2013-09-26 11:09:26

Most cases in my experience...people improve gradually over time. Your EF did not get down to 11 overnight, it certainly is not going to fix itself overnight. Now nobody will ever be able to tell you just how high your EF will get back up too, but it should continue to improve overtime before it eventually plateau's.

Good luck

Thanks for the responses

by imed2u - 2013-09-27 10:09:36

PacerRep and Grateful Heart:
Just want to say "Thanks" for the responses. It puts me at ease and I will let you know of the results when I get them. I had all of the conditions of a Type/Catagory 4 rating. I was told by the cardiologist I qualified for a heart transplant at the time. Now with the pacemaker I am thinking that will not ever become a reality. Again, thanks again.
IMED2U

You will sing again

by Grateful Heart - 2013-09-27 12:09:48

I had the same experience. Suddenly couldn't hold a note and didn't know why. Then my heart issues came to light along with shortness of breath and I still didn't connect it. My condition was also due to a virus.

It depends on why you needed the CRT but it sounds like you already have seen improvement. Like PacerRep said, it takes time.

My EF went from 24% to 30% with meds and then 50% with device after about 18 months. Last echo about 6 months ago, it was 55%. I've had mine for almost 5 years now.

Just for reference, I have a BS CRT-D also.

Good luck with your echo in October.

Grateful Heart

You know you're wired when...

You run like the bionic woman.

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I'm 44, active and have had my device for two years. I love it as I can run again and enjoy working out without feeling like I'm an old man.