Heart results ?

[Lifesforloving1]

Hi ,
mum worrying myself sick over my heart results. Please can someone explain to me if you have any knowledge ? I haven’t been told it’s heart failure but medication they want to proscribe is used for it ? I have had a stroke before…

Hi OP - your doctor should have explained this to you better. Can you make another appointment and ask them?

It would have helped if they had told you why you were going to be prescribed medication.

If you're worried about heart failure, please don't think it means you're on the point of death. It just means that your heart isn't working as well as it did, not that you're about to die.

Your ejection fraction is only a little below normal. You don't give your age - that is relevant.

https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/heart-failure/

https://www.bhf.org.uk/informationsupport/tests

@TheShellBeach
thankyou for you’re reply ! I would have thought someone would have explained this to me …… but nobody has, just had this letter through the post.
I have booked to speak to a doctor in a few weeks time ! No one has ever mentioned heart failure before to me… I have had a stroke before though so maby this is the reason ? I’m 30. Would you say this is bad functioning ? It was dropped a little I know. x

Do you get palpitations? Why did they do the tests? Cardiomyopathy UK have a helpline with nurses you can speak to who will explain results to you Cardiomyopathy uk

Don't panic. Do ring the consultants secretary (number should be at top of letter) and let them know the letter has upset you and can someone ring. To discuss.

Honestly the best person to explain this to you is your doctor.
It's very unusual for someone of your age to have strokes and heart failure. You must be under a consultant and she or he is the best person to advise you.

an ejection fraction (EF) of 45-48% is low …not extremely low but it’s too low for a 30 y.o. and it is an abnormal result. I consider these results to warrant close attention. The dilated left ventricle is particularly concerning. This is in effect what heart failure is. Your heart is a muscle like your bicep and these results indicate it is not in good shape. An ACE is a treatment option but you may need a beta blocker or a second tier drug like Entresto. Do you fatigue easily? Feel short of breath with normal every day activities? And echocardiogram is better than an MRI for determining EF. Op these results are OLD. You should be and should have been under the care of a cardiologist since 2018 working to treat and improve these conditions. EF can be improved under proper management as your heart gains strength and muscle tone. Please see a doctor request a cardiology consult and don’t miss a single ordered test. I’m USA there may be some variation in how you do it but heart failure is heart failure and you need an accurate diagnosis and treatment plan

@Lavenderandbrown

Thanks for your reply , you’ve now made me worry more than ever !
I think the best thing for me to do is speak to the doctor about my results - it states my function was declined a little from 2018 being at 50% now between 45 - 48 % .. would more exercise/ better diet help this ? I have never had perfect function due to a stroke I had when very young.. I did read you can improve function by making heart stronger. ?

Yes your heart function can improve with medical management. As I had mentioned your results are old. I recommend an echocardiogram and seeing a cardiologist. I’m not sure how the stroke affects heart failure (HF). HF is very manageable but not quite as simple as diet and exercise. Medications can help with “preload and afterload” …all beyond my expertise but the treatment regimen is well tested and works. Don’t despair but don’t wait OP for medical management. You may find with updated results some healing (improvement in your EF) has already happened You have youth on your side too.

That's really unhelpful and will worry the OP needlessly. The ejection fraction isn't so bad.

OP go and ask your doctor to explain.

Yes your heart function can improve with medical management. As I had mentioned your results are old. I recommend an echocardiogram and seeing a cardiologist.
i’d have a punt that it was a cardiologist that organised the cardiac MRI, interpreted it and made suggestions about the medical management.

I’m not sure how the stroke affects heart failure (HF)
but you still think it’s ok to give advice?

OP, there are a lot of have-a-go
-medics on MN, mainly well intentioned, but often giving confusing advice. The best people to advise you are the people who can see the trends in your cardiac measurements and put that into the context of the rest of your history (including why they ordered the original investigations) and any symptoms/functional limitations you have now.

@TheShellBeach
I will do thanks, I agree, it’s made me worry myself even more !
wasn’t such a helpful comment & have been working myself up…. I have an appointment today to speak to a doctor.

@Greybeardy
Thankyou, I have now spoke to my GP and I feel a lot better ! Going to have a very low does of Ramiprill & she reassured me that this was only a slight drop - and I do not have heart failure. I have scaring from having a stroke as a child. @Lavenderandbrown You honestly made me feel so awful with worry - I know you were trying to give your advice but…. You did put the fear of god into me.

Well that's very good news, OP!
I bet you're feeling a lot calmer now.