New to this

hi. I am due to have a crt-d fitted tomorrow and I'm really scared. I have an ef of 22% but no real symptoms of anything. Found out I had heart failure by accident as I had an xray and had an enlarged heart. Not sure I really want this procedure as I feel so well. Really struggling with the decision and very emotional about it. Any comments welcome.


2 Comments

Good luck for tomorrow

by Gemita - 2020-07-22 08:56:26

Dear Daisy,

I wish you all the very best of luck for tomorrow’s CRT-D (Cardiac Resynchronisation Therapy-Defibrillator) procedure.  I hope the procedure time is as short as possible for you and that there are no complications.  I am sure your doctors will take good care of you and you can look forward to a happier heart that will give you many more years of quality life.

I would say your feeling so well is a good sign that your heart is still coping with the demands placed on it but it is better that they try to correct the problem now before your condition worsens.  Going into the procedure in good health has to be a bonus and will help you to recover.  It is frightening to feel that we need the support of a device but these devices are life savers in some cases.  Although I do not have heart failure or need CRT, I do have a dual chamber pacemaker and I can honestly say my life has changed for the better.

I hope CRT is just what you need to bring your EJ (ejection fraction) back up.  It can be a very effective therapy for many.  Should you have any serious rhythm disturbances, your defibrillator will attempt to stop these from progressing, leaving you hopefully to get on with your life as nature intended.

I wish you well and a successful outcome

 

good luck!

by Tracey_E - 2020-07-22 09:33:45

That's a lot to swallow when you feel good! I'm sure it's hard to see the light at the end of the tunnel right now but be grateful they found it by accident so they can keep you safe. 

You may find like I did that I didn't feel quite as great as I thought I did until after, when I had something to compare it to. I was good at making excuses for why I was so tired, writing it off to other things. We compensate more than we know so maybe the silver lining in this will be you get more energy. 

I wish you an easy surgery and a fast recovery. Know you are not alone and don't be shy asking questions or just venting if that's what you need. 

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