Heart Failure Not Congestive

I am confused. I was just diagnosed with heart failure when I went to the emergency room because I was having heart palpitations. Apparently, they were caused by PVC's, which were diagnosed when I was 21 (40 years ago). I have never felt them before now. While I was being examined, they found that I had heart failure. However, they could find no congestion. I do have slightly high blood pressure and they increased my dosage for that and started me on lisinopril. Other than telling me not to smoke (I never have) and not to drink (I drink one glass of wine on rare occasions), they did not tell me to do anything differently. I have overwhelming feelings of sadness that come on suddenly. My arteries are clear, so I can't say I need to change my diet. I am exercising more, though. I don't understand what caused the heart failure. Everywhere I read, it says that heart failure is not caused by PVC's. I don't believe it is just coincidence that I have both. Anyone else have any ideas for me?


This discussion is related to Are PVC's a precursor to heart failure?.

[kenkeith]

Heart failure happens when the heart is not able to pump enough oxygenated blood into circulation to meet the demand.  Congested heart failure happens when the heart is not pumping most of the blood received from the lungs.  The blood backs up into the lungs and blood serium leaks into the lung tissues (edema).

The underlying cause for heart failure is the heart walls do not effectively contract with enough strength to be effective.  The underlying cause can be heart muscle damage (caused by alcohol, nicotine, drugs, some medication, virus, etc.) Occluded vessels are also a cause but that has been ruled out by clear vessels.  

Heart failure is often recognized as a heart that can only pump a volume less than 30%  (normal is 50 to 70% and is termed the ejection fraction (EF).  Many people do well with a heart rate below 30% and don't have any symptoms.  About 7 years ago, I had congested heart failure, and the first symptom was shortness of breath, dry cough, hyperventilating when lying down...felt like  I was choking...went to ER and was told I had had a heart attack...I was shocked!!

Heart failure can be successfully treated depending on the underlying cause or at least and be controlled to slow or stop any progression.  Hope this has helped and if you have any further questions you are welcome to respond.  Thanks for your question.

[stano2008]

I have had a heart condition since I was prob fifteen. Nobody believed me. Im 33 now and its showing itself more. I have been checked out multiple times over the years and nothing showed up. Ive always been active and  fit. I dont feel the missed beat it until it slows down. It beats irregular a dozen or more times a day now but I can still run ten 10 km without problems. Im going to see a doctor soon now that the problem its showing itself lots. No pain just skips a beat for no apparent reason.

Sometimes it feels like it flips over and I need to take a deep breath. Years ago after a bad snowboarding accident It felt like my lungs would fill with fluid when I layed down flat. I would wake up gasping for air. When I lifted my head up a bit to sleep I was fine. That problem went away on its own. Now this! I will keep posting on here to update my condition.