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28 and low ejection fraction
I am 28 and I have recently been diagnosed with congestive heart failure. In October 2007 I was told I had an ejection fraction of 38% and in February I had a repeat echo at which time I was told I had an ejection fraction of 34%. I have had a pacemaker since June 2006 and now the doctor is telling me I need an ICD. I have constant swelling even though I am taking Lasix twice a day. I have been having increased shortness of breath and a pressure like feeling in my chest mainly at night.
I am at a loss as to what is going on. If anyone is having similar problems or have any information please let me know.
I am at a loss as to what is going on. If anyone is having similar problems or have any information please let me know.
I just lost my post to you!!!! Your history is very sad. You need to check on the Left Ventricular Assist Device (LVAD). Wish that I had more time but a severe storm is coming.
Will talk to you later,. Never lose hope. Sometimes it is all that we have.
Jack
Will talk to you later,. Never lose hope. Sometimes it is all that we have.
Jack
Sorry for taking so long... The last cath I had was in Feb. 2007 and I was told that everything was clear. I was born with a severely enlarged heart at which time my liver was enlarged and, I had muffled heart tones, tachycardia, and very poor left ventricular function and markedly increased left ventricular size. My parents were then told that I would not live three weeks. After a three month stay in ICU I started to recover and was finally released from the doctor's care when I was twelve.
At the age of 26 I started to have a lot of chest pain, shortness or breath and terrible night sweats and was put into the hospital again for observation. I stayed in the hospital for three weeks and was finally told that my heart was dropping to dangerously low levels at night. I was transferred to a bigger hospital for a heart cath. During the test the doctor discovered that I had a 2nd degree av block above the his bundle. An echo was done following the cath and we were told that I had cardiomyopathy. The doctor said a pacemaker would not help my condition and that I was going to be placed on medication because I had a weak heart pump. At that time my EF was 43.
About three months later I was put back into the hospital and later told that my heart rate was not coming up and that my blood pressure was 72/47. The doctor told my mother that if I did not have the pacemaker implant soon that I would die. They also informed us at that time that a crash cart had been placed outside of my room. I had the pacemaker implanted the next morning.
Since I have been going from one doctor to the next because each one say that they have done all they can do for me. My current doctor says that the only way I can go is down because I have failed to improve on the medications and current treatment plans.
About three months ago I started to have syncope spells. They came on exertion and when I was simply trying to get a shower. Sometimes all I had to do was stand up and I would pass out. EEG's have showed a slowing in the frontal lobe so I was placed on seizure medications. Well, the medication is fine in all but now I have short term memory loss and it is not controlling the fainting spells.
I have never had high blood pressure. I guess the problems I had as a child never fully went away they just lay dormant until now...
fl79eh74me
At the age of 26 I started to have a lot of chest pain, shortness or breath and terrible night sweats and was put into the hospital again for observation. I stayed in the hospital for three weeks and was finally told that my heart was dropping to dangerously low levels at night. I was transferred to a bigger hospital for a heart cath. During the test the doctor discovered that I had a 2nd degree av block above the his bundle. An echo was done following the cath and we were told that I had cardiomyopathy. The doctor said a pacemaker would not help my condition and that I was going to be placed on medication because I had a weak heart pump. At that time my EF was 43.
About three months later I was put back into the hospital and later told that my heart rate was not coming up and that my blood pressure was 72/47. The doctor told my mother that if I did not have the pacemaker implant soon that I would die. They also informed us at that time that a crash cart had been placed outside of my room. I had the pacemaker implanted the next morning.
Since I have been going from one doctor to the next because each one say that they have done all they can do for me. My current doctor says that the only way I can go is down because I have failed to improve on the medications and current treatment plans.
About three months ago I started to have syncope spells. They came on exertion and when I was simply trying to get a shower. Sometimes all I had to do was stand up and I would pass out. EEG's have showed a slowing in the frontal lobe so I was placed on seizure medications. Well, the medication is fine in all but now I have short term memory loss and it is not controlling the fainting spells.
I have never had high blood pressure. I guess the problems I had as a child never fully went away they just lay dormant until now...
fl79eh74me
What were you told that caused your Congestive Heart Failure? Have you had a cardiac catheterization within the last 6 months that showed your coronary arteries were clear? Afib can cause chest pain. What type of arrhythmia required the pacemaker?
I an like Ken in that we need more information. How do you feel generally during the day?
What type of medications are you on? What types of tests have you had? Have you had a right heart catheterization?
Are you on a low sodium diet? Salt is very bad for you. You may need to increase your dosage of Lasix, or reduce your intake of fluids, to reduce the fluid retention in your lungs/legs/ankles/feet. Is your lung capacity good, just very congested?
Do you currently have a productive "frothy" cough?
Elevate your legs above your heart as often as you can. This will help the pooling blood in your legs return to your heart. Never stand still, either walk slowly or sit down if you can.
Sleep with 2 pillows at night....It might help with the feeling in your chest and breathing.
Is your blood pressure being controlled? Do you know if you have pulmonary hypertension?
Sorry for all of the questions, but you need to give more information :)
My best to you. I have a condition that can lead to Congestive Heart Failure.
Jack (aka Mike Hammer)
I an like Ken in that we need more information. How do you feel generally during the day?
What type of medications are you on? What types of tests have you had? Have you had a right heart catheterization?
Are you on a low sodium diet? Salt is very bad for you. You may need to increase your dosage of Lasix, or reduce your intake of fluids, to reduce the fluid retention in your lungs/legs/ankles/feet. Is your lung capacity good, just very congested?
Do you currently have a productive "frothy" cough?
Elevate your legs above your heart as often as you can. This will help the pooling blood in your legs return to your heart. Never stand still, either walk slowly or sit down if you can.
Sleep with 2 pillows at night....It might help with the feeling in your chest and breathing.
Is your blood pressure being controlled? Do you know if you have pulmonary hypertension?
Sorry for all of the questions, but you need to give more information :)
My best to you. I have a condition that can lead to Congestive Heart Failure.
Jack (aka Mike Hammer)
For a perspective, when the heart is pumping less blood into circulation than it receives, the blood backsup into the lungs as well as the system's vessels causing fluids to leak into the tissues....medically referred to pulmonary edema, peripheal edema.
Four years ago I had congested heart failure (pulmonary edema) and there were symptoms of coughing, choking sensation, shortness of breath while inclined at night. Sitting up provided some relief.
Peripheral edema happens when standing for a period of time as fluids leak into the peripheral (ankles, feet, etc.) circulation system as gravity forces come into play.
Of importance is to know what is the underlying cause for the low EF. Usually, an EF below 29% (fraction of blood pumped with each stroke) is not enough cardiac output to meet the oxygen/blood demand. My EF was below 29% and the underlying problem was some impairment to the heart muscle compromising contractility. I did not have an arrhythmia issue although my enlarged heart could have made me vulnerable.
Currently my EF and heart size is normal due to medication, exercising, proper diet, etc. So you can normalize your EF. The lasix is to reduce fluids, and I was on that for a period of time. Also, medication to reduce heart's workload and the medication dilated vessels and slow heart rate.
I'm not clear on how your arrhythmia caused congested heart failure...it somehow reduced cardiac output, need more information. Take care.
Four years ago I had congested heart failure (pulmonary edema) and there were symptoms of coughing, choking sensation, shortness of breath while inclined at night. Sitting up provided some relief.
Peripheral edema happens when standing for a period of time as fluids leak into the peripheral (ankles, feet, etc.) circulation system as gravity forces come into play.
Of importance is to know what is the underlying cause for the low EF. Usually, an EF below 29% (fraction of blood pumped with each stroke) is not enough cardiac output to meet the oxygen/blood demand. My EF was below 29% and the underlying problem was some impairment to the heart muscle compromising contractility. I did not have an arrhythmia issue although my enlarged heart could have made me vulnerable.
Currently my EF and heart size is normal due to medication, exercising, proper diet, etc. So you can normalize your EF. The lasix is to reduce fluids, and I was on that for a period of time. Also, medication to reduce heart's workload and the medication dilated vessels and slow heart rate.
I'm not clear on how your arrhythmia caused congested heart failure...it somehow reduced cardiac output, need more information. Take care.
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