topic Re: Heart Failure in Wellness

Heart Failure

Patriot3 — Sat, 13 Jul 2024 13:01:24 GMT

Does anyone else have heart failure? I was diagnosed last year and find I get more tired "every day". Does it keep getting worse?

I also have low iron and have had two iron infusions. It's down again w/my last blood test.

Have cardio appt next week and hematologist the following week. Getting anxious about all this. I try to ignore, but it's always there! 85 yo.

Re: Heart Failure

msgb — Sat, 13 Jul 2024 13:58:55 GMT

My mother had congestive heart failure for the last 9-10 yrs of her life.

I do not know if it gets worse it was in my opinion something that had to be watched.

She wore a pacemaker too during that time.

She was the mother of 7 and the grandmother of 12 and she continued to help each one of us as we were there for her too.

Ftigue and being tired is a hallmark of the health issue. I know that my mother did like to get a nap in --especially on her La-Z-Boy chair--actually it had been my father's and when he passed she sat in it saying she felt closer to him. !

Though she was a nurse she would get nervous about her appts. Please mention the iron being low to your doctor. I do not remember if this was an issue with my mom.

I know she was on some meds but she liked to get things naturally thru food and supplements if possible.

Prayers and the best for your appt.

Re: Heart Failure

PamfromCT — Sat, 13 Jul 2024 14:22:46 GMT

@Patriot3, All my prayers and best wishes for you! Please keep us informed. All my best.

Re: Heart Failure

BlueFinch — Sat, 13 Jul 2024 16:08:32 GMT

Try as much as you can to just follow your treatment plan, while controlling your anxiety. Do things that you enjoy that may help distract you from your fears. Worry takes its toll on us and can make health conditions worsen. For the young, or old.

There have been advances in treating CHF, slowing down progression, while extending life for many. I have a dear family friend who is 94, diagnosed with CHF almost 15 years ago. She's been determined to not let her diagnosis dictate her life. She's a force to be reckoned with. I think how she's attacked CHF mentally has added to keeping her going.

You may be more tired because your iron level is down again. Also anxiety can be exhausting, as well. The doc's will help determine the cause of your fatigue. Also remember that as we age, we lose energy. We may feel like we need a nice nap to keep going. That's just part of the natural aging process. And, this can begin in middle age for some.

I know it's hard to face health issues. Ignoring doesn't work very well. Remember to distract and focus on positives as much as possible, instead. Very best to you. Keep us posted.

Re: Heart Failure

mrshckynut — Sat, 13 Jul 2024 16:21:10 GMT

@Patriot3 my husband john was diagnosed with CHF about 2 years ago also 85

mrshckynut

Re: Heart Failure

Patriot3 — Sun, 14 Jul 2024 01:27:38 GMT

@msgb wrote:
My mother had congestive heart failure for the last 9-10 yrs of her life.
I do not know if it gets worse it was in my opinion something that had to be watched.
She wore a pacemaker too during that time.
She was the mother of 7 and the grandmother of 12 and she continued to help each one of us as we were there for her too.

Ftigue and being tired is a hallmark of the health issue. I know that my mother did like to get a nap in --especially on her La-Z-Boy chair--actually it had been my father's and when he passed she sat in it saying she felt closer to him. !

Though she was a nurse she would get nervous about her appts. Please mention the iron being low to your doctor. I do not remember if this was an issue with my mom.
I know she was on some meds but she liked to get things naturally thru food and supplements if possible.

Prayers and the best for your appt.

@msgbThank you!!

Re: Heart Failure

Patriot3 — Sun, 14 Jul 2024 01:28:07 GMT

@PamfromCT wrote:
@Patriot3, All my prayers and best wishes for you! Please keep us informed. All my best.

@PamfromCTThank you!!

Re: Heart Failure

mrshckynut — Sun, 14 Jul 2024 03:00:34 GMT

@Patriot3 wrote:
Does anyone else have heart failure? I was diagnosed last year and find I get more tired "every day". Does it keep getting worse?

I also have low iron and have had two iron infusions. It's down again w/my last blood test.

Have cardio appt next week and hematologist the following week. Getting anxious about all this. I try to ignore, but it's always there! 85 yo.

@Patriot3 my husband said to ask if you had an ultrasound test on your heart and if your cardiologist told you your ejection fraction ef number said that is how they measure degree of CHF in patient

mrshckynut

Re: Heart Failure

on the bay — Sun, 14 Jul 2024 04:06:20 GMT

@BlueFinch,

Your post was so encouraging.

@Patriot3,

My mother was diagnosed with heart failure and many other things. She lived a few months short of her 99th birthday and died after a fall.

Still she walked at least 1/4 of a mile every day rain or shine.

I couldn't keep up with her!

She faithfully went to all her appointments and was on a lot of different medications. She also did take naps most days too.

I know it must be scary especially to hear of this and all the appointments can make you worry more. I know none of us know and start to think a lot about our own lives. I thought @BlueFinch's thoughts were very encouraging and I hope you will have hope too in doing things that give you joy even something each day. A friend and I were just talking about all of this too. I will be thinking of you!

Re: Heart Failure

smoochy — Sun, 14 Jul 2024 04:07:25 GMT

I was diagnosed with CHF in March 2023. I also had an arrhythmia and abnormally slow heart rate. Four hospitalizations that month, two ambulances rides. I had a pacemaker put in. My heart failure is under control. I'm supposed to be eating much less sodium in my diet bit I find that extremely hard to do. I'm sure you will be ok as long as you take your prescribed meds and follow doctors orders.

Re: Heart Failure

Patriot3 — Sun, 14 Jul 2024 16:41:58 GMT

@on the bay wrote:
@BlueFinch,
Your post was so encouraging.

@Patriot3,
My mother was diagnosed with heart failure and many other things. She lived a few months short of her 99th birthday and died after a fall.
Still she walked at least 1/4 of a mile every day rain or shine.
I couldn't keep up with her!
She faithfully went to all her appointments and was on a lot of different medications. She also did take naps most days too.

I know it must be scary especially to hear of this and all the appointments can make you worry more. I know none of us know and start to think a lot about our own lives. I thought @BlueFinch's thoughts were very encouraging and I hope you will have hope too in doing things that give you joy even something each day. A friend and I were just talking about all of this too. I will be thinking of you!

@on the bayThank you!!

Re: Heart Failure

Patriot3 — Sun, 14 Jul 2024 16:43:30 GMT

Thanks to all of you for your kind and encouraging remarks. Prayers to you all!

Re: Heart Failure

Patriot3 — Mon, 15 Jul 2024 12:42:33 GMT

@mrshckynut wrote:
@Patriot3 wrote:
Does anyone else have heart failure? I was diagnosed last year and find I get more tired "every day". Does it keep getting worse?

I also have low iron and have had two iron infusions. It's down again w/my last blood test.

Have cardio appt next week and hematologist the following week. Getting anxious about all this. I try to ignore, but it's always there! 85 yo.

@Patriot3 my husband said to ask if you had an ultrasound test on your heart and if your cardiologist told you your ejection fraction ef number said that is how they measure degree of CHF in patient

mrshckynut

@mrshckynut Yes, all of that

Re: Heart Failure

jubilant — Sun, 18 Aug 2024 19:44:47 GMT

@Patriot3 My mother also lived into her 90's with congestive heart failure and until the last few months was able to walk on her treadmill for 10 minutes a day. That may not sound like a lot but it did help with stiff muscle pain and kept her more limber. I will keep you in my prayers.

Re: Heart Failure

Mom2Dogs — Sun, 18 Aug 2024 21:17:13 GMT

@smoochy or anyone else that can answer....Slightly off topic question.

A friend of mine had a defibulator and pacemaker put in about 2+years ago. She had several episodes of fainting...if she had been alone when this happened chances are she would have died but thank goodness she was in public when it happened.

Ever since then she has been different...her personality as well as her ability to keep up. I am wondering, as she does not know because I asked her and she did not ask her doctor....does the pace maker keep pace with a continual constant heart rate...meaning for example if she was running, would her heart rate NOT GO UP? Does the pacemaker have a FIXED rate? thanks

Re: Heart Failure

smoochy — Sun, 18 Aug 2024 22:31:56 GMT

@Mom2Dogs wrote:
@smoochy or anyone else that can answer....Slightly off topic question.

A friend of mine had a defibulator and pacemaker put in about 2+years ago. She had several episodes of fainting...if she had been alone when this happened chances are she would have died but thank goodness she was in public when it happened.

Ever since then she has been different...her personality as well as her ability to keep up. I am wondering, as she does not know because I asked her and she did not ask her doctor....does the pace maker keep pace with a continual
@Mom2Dogs wrote:
@smoochy or anyone else that can answer....Slightly off topic question.

A friend of mine had a defibulator and pacemaker put in about 2+years ago. She had several episodes of fainting...if she had been alone when this happened chances are she would have died but thank goodness she was in public when it happened.

Ever since then she has been different...her personality as well as her ability to keep up. I am wondering, as she does not know because I asked her and she did not ask her doctor....does the pace maker keep pace with a continual constant heart rate...meaning for example if she was running, would her heart rate NOT GO UP? Does the pacemaker have a FIXED rate? thanks

yes my pacer is set at a certain rate-72- but it does allow for increased activity. It will keep up with me.but returns to the set rate

constant heart rate...meaning for example if she was running, would her heart rate NOT GO UP? Does the pacemaker have a FIXED rate? thanks

Re: Heart Failure

Zhills — Mon, 19 Aug 2024 00:31:20 GMT

A defib/pacemaker is designed to "kick in" if your heart rate drops. I don't believe it has a cap.

My husband was advised to walk and that raises your heart rate!

You can live a long productive life with a P/D. They work miracles!

Re: Heart Failure

Mom2Dogs — Mon, 19 Aug 2024 01:22:21 GMT

@Zhills Thanks, my friend can barely walk a 1/2 mile, so there must be something else going on. She did tell me she has an echo cardiogram scheduled...maybe that will show something. Her energy level is at an all time low.

Re: Heart Failure

Zhills — Mon, 19 Aug 2024 01:27:58 GMT

They can be adjusted. That may solve everything!

Wishing her well!

Re: Heart Failure

smoochy — Mon, 19 Aug 2024 04:32:43 GMT

@Mom2Dogs the pacer will keep up with her and return to it's original setting Mine is set for 72 beats per minute but my heart rate varies at rest. 68, 72, in the general range. The point is that it takes over when my heart isn't beating fast enough or regular enough. I do not have a defibrillator