Congestive Heart Failure Question

CHF

by Grateful Heart - 2017-03-07 19:22:10

Since you are already paced, you know what to expect in that regard.  If CHF is confirmed, they will switch out your pacer for a 3 lead CRT, which will pace both ventricles and hopefully improve your condition. 

Everyone is different but I was diagnosed with CHF, enlarged heart and a few other abbreviations 8 years ago.  It was a shock but I changed my diet, monitor sodium intake and exercise/ lost weight....tried to take control where I could.  I believe it helped me as well as the meds.  

I know I am very lucky....not everyone sees these results. 

Didn't really see a question in your post so....ask away.

Grateful Heart   

positive perspective

by belsheart - 2017-03-08 01:34:44

Hi Kate,

I have CHF and have had it forabout 6 years.  Once you are on all the right heart meds, you will likely see some improvement in heart function and likewise if you get a CRT.  It is a scary diagnosis, but there is lots of help out there.  For many people, it becomes a chronic (rather than acute) condition, at least for quite a while.  Just be sure you are seeing a heart failure specialist and if possible, go to a heart failure center at a major hospital.  Also, there are some facebook groups for heart failure and cardiomyopathy that I have found to be very helpful over the years.  One more word about medication:  it can be tough to adjust to some of the side effects, but hang in there.  Just let me know if I can help in any way

Standard X ray as a investigation for Heart Failure

by Selwyn - 2017-03-08 08:12:21

A standard chest X-ray ( CXR) is not a reliable guide to diagnose heart enlargement nor heart failure. 

You should not count your chickens before they are hatched!

Wait for the further medical tests. I have had 'heart enlargement' for at least 10 years. Symptoms of heart failure are common symptoms relating to many medical conditions ( Who hasn't been short of breath with, for example with stress?). I have had many echocardiograms, the last one 2 weeks ago, in great detail. I am now waiting for a high definition CT scan of my heart. Of course, my ECG( EKG) is shot to bits and provides unlimited entertainment to my doctors that do not know me. Heart enlargement is NOT heart failure.

Just wait and see what they say. THe worse possible thing is to self diagnose, you always imagine the monsters have teeth!

In any event, since I have talked about chickens, we also have an expression in England,that,

"It is not over until the fat lady sings" !

( for those not in the know, this relates to the end of the show, in the music hall era, when the fat lady was the last act, I believe).

Wait for the fat lady!!

Selwyn

Congestive Heart Failure

by Cabg Patch - 2017-03-08 15:16:35

First I applaud Selwyn, an xray is not a good diagnostic tool for CHF, so stop looking under the bed, the monster may not be in.

Second, and due respect, just because a diagnosis of CHF is determined, doesn't mean you'll be getting a CRT, 3 lead, or Bi_Ventricular device. Fact is there are a number of factors that determine that. I've had end stage CHF for 10 years, EF20%, Cardiomyopathy, CAD (quad bypass), valve disease, and numerous arrhythmias and it was only after I developed LBBB 2 years ago that a CRT was implanted. By the way, it ain't helpin so as Selwyn said, wait and see. There's a lot between here and there, get the specific results before mapping out the funeral.

Thank you!

by K8 - 2017-03-08 16:36:09

Thank you all for your responses!  I am very optimistic, and looking forward to meeting my new cardiologist who comes highly recommended.  

I intend to be as proactive as possible!  It looks like a low sodium mediterraneum type diet may be appropriate.  I guess they will clue me in when the time comes.  Red wine?  I hope, I hope.  Sigh...

Thank you all again...

Kate