Congestive heart failure

Heart Failure

by RedRocksGirl - 2020-04-22 02:50:08

Yes, I was diagnosed with CHF in October 2016, I developed it as a result of some random virus (even a cold virus can do it) settling in my heart. I'd also had chemotherapy in 1973 at age 10 and one of the chemo drugs has now shown to cause heart damage in some people, it can actually show up years after the chemo, so that could have also played a role in my hear failure.

When diagnosed my EF (Ejection Fraction) was 35%, my cardiologist put me on some meds and in three months we got it up to 40%, she said at 40% I could "go for quite a while" - whatever that means. Since then my EP went down, then back up again, but never up over 40%. It finally got to 31% and the meds wouldnt bring it up any more. I had a constant dry cough, fluid in my lungs, could feel every heart beat - which was forceful, jumbled up horribly uncomfortable at times, and I was massively fatigued. So i had symptoms for 2 1/2 years before getting my device.

In January 2019 I had a CRT-D implanted and literally the morning after there was no more fluid in my lungs, cough was completely gone and I could no longer feel my heartbeat!  It felt heavenly! I've felt 100% better since getting it, I think things got worse so gradually that I didnt realize it until it got really bad. It got to the point where I could power through work but would get home and hit the couch till bed time and I was normally a really active, up and moving all the time person. I knew it was bad, but didnt realize how bad it was until I started feeling better again. SO glad I have it now and am back to my normal active life!  :)

deciding when to get it

by Tracey_E - 2020-04-22 11:34:26

I have a different condition so no experience with CHF, but I put off getting paced as long as possible. I was exhausted, constantly dizzy and struggled through the day. After, I felt so much better. I looked at the pacer as a last resort when I couldn't take it any longer. I should have been looking at it as a means to feel better. So my advice is if you can't do what you want to do, if you aren't able to enjoy life, if your doctor tells you the pacer will help you feel better, why put it off? In hindsight, I wish I'd gotten it when I first started struggling to get through the day, when I first started canceling plans because I was too tired. 

Also, if you get to the point where your EF drops enough that your doctor feels you are at risk of SCA, an ICD can save your life. At that point, don't overthink or play the procrastination game, just do it.

heart failure

by Dave H - 2020-04-23 20:34:48

I was first diagnosed with HF in 2012. PM also was implanted in 2012.  Subsequent echocardiologist has suggested my HF was due to my being in a NSR heart rate of 125 for a period of 4 months and receiving no attempt at treatment by the TCAI EP I was seeing nor the St. David's cardiologist I was assigned to.  My LF EF has been around 20% the past few years. My current EP tried but failed to install a new third lead - since my original one is "dead."  Epicardial lead inserion may be in my future. If successful, maybe I can get back to feeling better when my ventricles are in "synch."