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Want to know EF and Defibulator question. Thanks
For the last 2 months my Dr. Has tried sleep apnea and exercise as a hope to Get my EF up from 25 to 30% area up. I had my Eco done and they said no changes at all.. Now they want a defibrillator put in and I as of lat night am wearing a Life vest in case it detects a problem and I go down it will shock my heart. I am meeting 2 different electrophysiologists next week. One my Current Cardio Dr. wants me to see in the same hospital and One that I was told about From the life vest group. I have only been taking Carvedilol 1 pill two times a day at 3.125mg each pill for about 2 to 3 weeks. now after the results of nothing changing up to total of 12.5mg a day of the Carvedilol. along with Lisinopril 10mg 1 pill 2 times a day. Heart Cath shows all clear other than enlarged heart. and weak. I walk on treadmill 25 to 30 mins every day or other day. and usually 2 to 5 min of that i jog. I have seen places say with a Virus caused heart problem You will not be able to get your EF any higher and i have seen you can. Im 33 yrs old. And I want to know what are my chances of getting the ef up on Med? and If it goes up will i need a defibrillator still? And If my EF stays the same after a Defib is placed in will I be able to do normal activities? I work where i climb poles and work on lines near Electric lines are. By Having a 25 to 30% EF will that make my life only 5 to 10 years left? Or can i live as long as others with low EF as long as my heart doesn't shut down from the rhythm? Sorry its so long a question But anyone with the same experience or knowledge please let me know.
If you've read anything about sleep apnea or visit the sleep disorder forum here you'll find alot of health related problems are due to sleep problems.
If you haven't check out Dr. Steven Park in that forum; he is a wonderful doctor and has alot of info on here and his website (it's on his profile)
I know about 2nd chances...9 lives...I had a blood infection called Group Beta Streptococcus that invaded my blood stream while I was pregnant in 1997, my son died and I almost died - a week in the hospital and major meds I made it through thankfully.
Then in 2009 my heart stopped and I had no clue what was going on because dr's told me all my life fainting was ok and "nothing" was wrong with me. I found out in June 2009 when I fainted - my heart was stopping (tilt table test verified this) my heart's electrical system was messed up and my autonomic nervous system was way off kilter.
Being sick can be a very tough thing to deal with, hopefully you have a support system in your family and friends also; that can be a very helpful thing in recovery and coping with chronic illnesses =)
If you haven't check out Dr. Steven Park in that forum; he is a wonderful doctor and has alot of info on here and his website (it's on his profile)
I know about 2nd chances...9 lives...I had a blood infection called Group Beta Streptococcus that invaded my blood stream while I was pregnant in 1997, my son died and I almost died - a week in the hospital and major meds I made it through thankfully.
Then in 2009 my heart stopped and I had no clue what was going on because dr's told me all my life fainting was ok and "nothing" was wrong with me. I found out in June 2009 when I fainted - my heart was stopping (tilt table test verified this) my heart's electrical system was messed up and my autonomic nervous system was way off kilter.
Being sick can be a very tough thing to deal with, hopefully you have a support system in your family and friends also; that can be a very helpful thing in recovery and coping with chronic illnesses =)
Thanks for the info.. I just don't understand why all the good people in this world seem to get the most treble things happen to them. Just last Friday a Girl age 6 went to get her tonsils taken out and the very next morning Died because she started bleeding from it and by the time the 911 people got her to the hospital she died... that set me back again because i am doing the letting god in my life. I Never not believed i just seemed to want to see it to believe.. but Now i don't want a get outta jail free card from god but to prove it somehow. and im still working on it.
As jrbon im sure is noticing I take the smallest things and stew on it for weeks. I have always been like that in life. I hope with the working on stress. eating better, losing weight ( almost 30 lbs now in 2 months) and these meds i can live to my long goal of at least 70 yrs plus. Or until the kids get married. 2yr boy 6 yr old girl 8 yr boy.
1 thing i have noticed the last 4 days My sleep machine (bipap) they changed some settings and i am not waking up as much used to be at least 6 times or more a night now 1 to 3 tops. and i feel awake when i do get up even after taking my lisinopril :)
Im glad I can talk about this with others out there. I used to be this Big strong guy that never showed emotions and never cried. only 2 times in life my wife seen me do that.
once in high school when i got mono and hepatitis A ( not the other 2 that is bad bad dr said never to worry or tell others cause they might take it wrong) That was 2 weeks of hell. you could see my insides sticking outta my stomach.
and once when i thought my mother was gonna pass when after my aunt died 2 days later my uncle died 3 months later my grandma died then mom had to have a valve replaced and one repaired from rematic fever she had as a child.
When this happened i would just look at the kids and cry >< now with the meds and the depression meds im ok. I think im understanding it more too and getting used to it not just the meds :)
As jrbon im sure is noticing I take the smallest things and stew on it for weeks. I have always been like that in life. I hope with the working on stress. eating better, losing weight ( almost 30 lbs now in 2 months) and these meds i can live to my long goal of at least 70 yrs plus. Or until the kids get married. 2yr boy 6 yr old girl 8 yr boy.
1 thing i have noticed the last 4 days My sleep machine (bipap) they changed some settings and i am not waking up as much used to be at least 6 times or more a night now 1 to 3 tops. and i feel awake when i do get up even after taking my lisinopril :)
Im glad I can talk about this with others out there. I used to be this Big strong guy that never showed emotions and never cried. only 2 times in life my wife seen me do that.
once in high school when i got mono and hepatitis A ( not the other 2 that is bad bad dr said never to worry or tell others cause they might take it wrong) That was 2 weeks of hell. you could see my insides sticking outta my stomach.
and once when i thought my mother was gonna pass when after my aunt died 2 days later my uncle died 3 months later my grandma died then mom had to have a valve replaced and one repaired from rematic fever she had as a child.
When this happened i would just look at the kids and cry >< now with the meds and the depression meds im ok. I think im understanding it more too and getting used to it not just the meds :)
I forgot to mention in my post that my CHF was caused by a virus that went to my heart. My DX is Cardiomyopathy.
I am a 32 year old female. I went into CHF around Thanksgiving. I ended up in the hospital for many weeks. My EF was a 2%! My Dr. thought I was going to need a heart transplant. They drained between 40 & 45 pounds of fluid off my body. When I was discharged from the hospital I left wearing a life vest and had a EF of 30%. That was on New Years day. I had a echo done in Jan and still had an echo of 30%. My Dr. had me countinue to wear the vest for another month. I had another echo done this past Wed. and just got the results today. My EF is now between 35% & 40%. I was able to take the life vest today and I do not have to have the device implanted as expected. Have faith. Your EF will get better... it just takes time. As for the information about our life spans - STOP reading that stuff. I also did that research and stressed myself out over it. And I'm a nurse, I know better than to do that. Good luck on your recovery!
In one of the treads of the indicated forum I just found this short story ... I guess that you will be happy to know:
09/12/2005:
Ejection Fraction 7%
Size 8.6cm
01/12/2010
Ejection Fraction 40%
Size 5.5cm
He does not specify, treatment followed.
Jesus
09/12/2005:
Ejection Fraction 7%
Size 8.6cm
01/12/2010
Ejection Fraction 40%
Size 5.5cm
He does not specify, treatment followed.
Jesus
What I understand of what you said is:
1) You are 33 Years old.
2) You suffered a no ischemic Dilated Cardyomiopathy with EF of 25%
3) You have just starting (3 weeks ago) with medication.
4) You work with Electric High power lines.
If all this is correct and you have no arrhythmias, you should understand that:
1) Your dr. recommendation for the Defibrillator it is based on guidelines that indicates that it is advisable to implant it with EF below 35% because there is a risk of sudden cardiac death.
2) Most of the guidelines also indicates to wait for 6 months on "optimal" medication before implant, to see if the EF grows with the medication.
3) If you get the Defibrillator implanted, chances are that you will no longer be able to perform your present work.
4) The defibrillator, once implanted, it is not easy to remove, even if you no longer need it. Also depending on which country you are, might not be even easy to deactivate.
5) The present max life of a defibrillator is about 7-8 years ... so along your life you will need several replacements.
6) Old statistics (about 8 years old) indicates that 50% of people with EF below 35% died before 5 years. With new medications, today those figures should be better. Remember you can be the lucky one that live many years.
7) Some people increase its EF with medication, some do with a particular type of defibrillator (Bi-Ventricular ICD). For examples of people that did it, look for the "EF bragging rights" thread in the Dilated Cardiomyopathy Forum of the Cardiomyopathy organization.
Do not forget, that it is not easy, but the final decision is yours. Perhaps consult with other cardiologist, can give you a different perspective.
Good luck
Jesus.
1) You are 33 Years old.
2) You suffered a no ischemic Dilated Cardyomiopathy with EF of 25%
3) You have just starting (3 weeks ago) with medication.
4) You work with Electric High power lines.
If all this is correct and you have no arrhythmias, you should understand that:
1) Your dr. recommendation for the Defibrillator it is based on guidelines that indicates that it is advisable to implant it with EF below 35% because there is a risk of sudden cardiac death.
2) Most of the guidelines also indicates to wait for 6 months on "optimal" medication before implant, to see if the EF grows with the medication.
3) If you get the Defibrillator implanted, chances are that you will no longer be able to perform your present work.
4) The defibrillator, once implanted, it is not easy to remove, even if you no longer need it. Also depending on which country you are, might not be even easy to deactivate.
5) The present max life of a defibrillator is about 7-8 years ... so along your life you will need several replacements.
6) Old statistics (about 8 years old) indicates that 50% of people with EF below 35% died before 5 years. With new medications, today those figures should be better. Remember you can be the lucky one that live many years.
7) Some people increase its EF with medication, some do with a particular type of defibrillator (Bi-Ventricular ICD). For examples of people that did it, look for the "EF bragging rights" thread in the Dilated Cardiomyopathy Forum of the Cardiomyopathy organization.
Do not forget, that it is not easy, but the final decision is yours. Perhaps consult with other cardiologist, can give you a different perspective.
Good luck
Jesus.
I'm sorry you're going through this, some of what you say I don't understand but in my case I had profound bradycardia (low HR's 20-40 at some points) along with moderate OSA that made my Oxygen in the low 70's at night. My dr recommended a pacemaker for those.
I also have malignant pvc's & ventricular tachycardia runs (polymorphic VT), cardiomyopathy [ef 40% last check] and some other things wrong such as an enlarged, weakened heart. For my Vt's they recommended a ICD or defibrillator.
I had a Boston Scientific Teligen 100 implanted [pacemaker/ICD], which helps with my low hr's and fainting episodes; after they set it to 60 so I wouldn't faint with anything lower. My ICD/defibrillator part senses the high hr's and has a rate of 175 for NSVT runs and at 220bpm will shock me.
The process itself was relatively easy, but my EF stayed at 40%. I don't know about viruses but I think what happened in my case was my problems were caused from a Streptococcus infection that turned septic because it went untreated. I have autonomic nervous system dysfunction along with this which causes me problems where I can't exert myself and they still are searching for answers to what's caused my problems and what's wrong with me.
I've read and talked to many on an icd support group forum (another site) that have had great success with pacemaker/icd combo's and have done very well. You may want to google icd support group [dot org] and ask there also; there's some great members there who will answer any additional questions you may have =)
I also have malignant pvc's & ventricular tachycardia runs (polymorphic VT), cardiomyopathy [ef 40% last check] and some other things wrong such as an enlarged, weakened heart. For my Vt's they recommended a ICD or defibrillator.
I had a Boston Scientific Teligen 100 implanted [pacemaker/ICD], which helps with my low hr's and fainting episodes; after they set it to 60 so I wouldn't faint with anything lower. My ICD/defibrillator part senses the high hr's and has a rate of 175 for NSVT runs and at 220bpm will shock me.
The process itself was relatively easy, but my EF stayed at 40%. I don't know about viruses but I think what happened in my case was my problems were caused from a Streptococcus infection that turned septic because it went untreated. I have autonomic nervous system dysfunction along with this which causes me problems where I can't exert myself and they still are searching for answers to what's caused my problems and what's wrong with me.
I've read and talked to many on an icd support group forum (another site) that have had great success with pacemaker/icd combo's and have done very well. You may want to google icd support group [dot org] and ask there also; there's some great members there who will answer any additional questions you may have =)
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