DF just diagnosed with heart failure - what now? Will tests be done quickly?

[Soooodenim]

Dad is 67 and has been suffering with angina in the form of breathlessness on exertion. Blood test has revealed he has heart failure.

He’s been told he’ll have to have further tests but in all the shock of the diagnosis, he didnt think to ask how long this could take. Is it like a 2 week cancer pathway where you’re seen urgently? He knows he needs an ECG, and an echocardiogram but he’s not sure what else.

We’re all very upset by this - not knowing how severe it is and what the future might hold is very frightening. Any experiences or advice while we wait for more from the doctors would be much appreciated.

It won't be like the cancer 2 week wait no as people can live many years with heart failure. It just means the heart isn't working as well as it should be. They'll do tests to see the extent and then he may have surgery or just have medication to stabilise it. It's actually more common than you think heart failure. I'm not medically trained but worked in cardiac rehab and worked with many in heart failure 😊

My Mum’s HF was extreme. She was diagnosed and admmited to CCU (like ICU but for hearts) with a heart working at only 18%. She went on to live for another 12/13 years.

Loads of fantastic information on https://pumpingmarvellous.org/

Its not the end of the world, people live quite well once diagnosed and medications started.

Thank you @WhatMe123
So does that mean he could wait months for tests? I’m wondering if booking private tests would be better? Although very expensive, I imagine. And we don’t know the full extent of the tests needed.

@Changeiscomingthisyear I’m so sorry you eventually lost your mum but it’s lovely to hear you got those extra years.

@Brandnewskytohangyourstarsupon thank you. Yes, the term “failure” is so awful - it sounds like the end of the world!

Is surgery usually an option? Can that help? I’m sorry if I’m asking vague/silly questions.

My mil and husband both of heart failure. It all depends what stage and extent as he can live a relatively normal life for a very long time. Private testing sounds tempting but if he his diagnosed needing x drugs then the GP can refuse to supply them and you may be stuck paying a lot of money for private prescriptions.

Just so you’re prepared people with heart failure also often end up with COPD further down the line.

The treatment for heart failure has improved significantly in recent years. I think the name they give it is unfortunate. have they done an echocardiogram or anything yet?

Hey OP, my grandmother had heart failure. Because of her age (81 at diagnosis) they didn't really do much testing, but they did put her on meds to help with breathlessness etc. She has since passed away but not to do with the HF, it was cancer in the end. We were mortified when told but really it didn't affect her too much and she had great support. The testing etc will probably take a while I'd imagine, but please don't panic too much although I know that's easier said than done.

My mum lasted just under a year from diagnosis to her passing. It will depend on the test results. Sending hugs 🫂 💐 🙏

Thank you all. And I’m so sorry for those of you who have lost someone to this.

I’ve been looking at https://pumpingmarvellous.org/ - It really is helpful and puts things in a non-scary way - thank you @Brandnewskytohangyourstarsupon

My aunt is 90 and has been in heart failure
For 12 years. She's still living a good life, her walking is slow and she gets puffy ankles, she has a recliner chair to put her feet up.

Heart failure is a very scary term for something that can range from a mild inconvenience to a life-limiting condition, which is very unhelpful indeed. Your dad could live a totally normal length of life with the right medication. It all depends on the cause and the severity of the damage. Like a PP’s mum, my DH ended up in ICU and then CCU when he was diagnosed with HF – his heart was working at 12% capacity. Your dad’s is very unlikely to be anywhere near that bad as his symptoms would be a lot more severe. Unfortunately nobody can tell you what the outcome will be because it’s so dependent on those various factors – but you will have a better idea after the tests are done. Pumping Marvellous is a wonderful resource, and the BHF have a great helpline that I found very useful when I was spiralling with anxiety.

One thing I will say is that the only immediate risk to your dad is that he is at a slightly elevated risk of a cardiac arrest. I would recommend you find out the location of your nearest defibrillator — or, if financially feasible, consider buying one. The chances of him having a cardiac arrest are vanishingly slim and I’m only saying this because it would be remiss not to mention it.

Sending you love and solidarity. It is a really tough diagnosis to get, but it’s not a death sentence.

This site can be bonkers at times, but this thread also proves it can be bloody lovely. Thank you all for supporting a frightened stranger on the internet ❤

My aunt lived with heart failure for over 25 years. She had a pacemaker and took tablets and had excellent quality of life until she was very elderly (died age 104).

She got very poorly before diagnosis and I don't think had realised how hard work everything was until she got on a decent treatment regimen.

Ironically, in the last 2 years of her life she had no treatment at all due to dementia and refusing medication. No pills and her pacemaker was overdue a battery replacement but it was felt kinder not to subject her to hospital visits. That heart kept on going none the less! She died of dementia and losing her swallow, not the heart failure.

Thank you @smallchange

Your aunt sounds like trooper. You’re also in the bloody lovely gang 😊