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Original poster

DP has been admitted with heart failure - he is only 38

30 replies

Earthstar · 26/02/2010 13:10

My poor dp has been admitted to hospital with heart failure - he is the youngest on the ward by about 30 years.

We are hoping for a full recovery and some lifestyle changes but it is quite shocking (sad)

OP posts:
StrawberriesAndCherries · 26/02/2010 13:11

poor dh what a shock, and for you. How are you coping?

itsmeitsmeolord · 26/02/2010 13:12

Bloody hell! I'm so sorry. Do you have much support available?

BigBadMummy · 26/02/2010 13:13

oh goodness. Thoughts and prayers are with you.

Do you have people around to help you and support you?

changemylife · 26/02/2010 13:13

Hi there

I can totally empathise. I was admitted to cardiac care about a year ago with suspected angina. I was there for 2 weeks and quite honestly it was the most scariest time of my life.

I ended up having an angiogram (which was clear) it turned out to be a viral infection

I was 38 and by far the youngest on the ward.

The one positive thing it gave me was an appreciation for my family who helped look after the kids and of course my DH!

I really hope he is feeeling better soon

OrmRenewed · 26/02/2010 13:15

Sorry to hear that earthstar

Do they know why yet? Dad had a bypass and valve replacement before christmas and he is doing very well now.

Original poster
Earthstar · 26/02/2010 13:18

Thanks so much for the replies - it has cheered me up

I am coping OK in a practical way - I live near the hospital and have one ten year old so we can cope on our own.

We thought he had pneumonia - he had been short of breathe and telling the GP that for 3 weeks and they never took his blood pressure for the first 2 1/2 weeks. For goodness sake don't rely on the GP if you are worried about your dp is my advice.

He is having billions of tests to see how much damage there is to other organs and if there is anything particular causing it all apart from lifestyle factors.

OP posts:
Original poster
Earthstar · 26/02/2010 13:20

We won't get a proper diagnosis until the tests have all been done - he has an infection, enlarged heart and ludicrously high BP - has probably had high BP for a long time without knowing it.

He has had oxygen and drugs overnight and looks much beter this mornign than last night.

OP posts:
FluffyDonkey · 26/02/2010 13:25

I am so sorry. I hope everything goes ok.

I feel I should warn you though - be prepared never to get a straight answer/diagnosis.

My friend had a heart attack aged 21 and 3 years later we still don't know why, but she has had lots of treatment etc. so is ok.

Godo luck

sb6699 · 26/02/2010 13:30

Hope the tests go as well as possible.

Sending you all much love and strength.

psychomum5 · 26/02/2010 13:30

Oh goodness, I am sorry, what crap news.

just to say, I have recently been in hospital, and spent time on 5 different wards all together (the first 4 on my first admittence, with pneumonia/asthma).I was the youngest by 30yrs on each of them, so tis not just limited to the cardiac ward....I think it is hospitals in general.

The only time I have ever been on wards with people of similar age is maternity/ womens health and surgical.

I do hope they are able to help your DP, and that he isn;t stuck there long. Tis pants.

are you ok??

Original poster
Earthstar · 26/02/2010 13:41

Thanks everyone

it doesn't seem very real to me, it just seems to be the kind of thing that happens to other people, I know that sounds ridiculous.

Thanks for the tip about not always getting clear answers about stuff even after all the tests are done.

How are you doing psychomum5?

OP posts:
psychomum5 · 26/02/2010 14:09

getting there slowly.

have stopped shaking quite so much, and as long as I rest (finding that bit hard at times), my speaking is improving too.

immunity has died tho, am full of cold again, and have just slept all morning and still feel knackered.

thankyou for asking

inmypants · 26/02/2010 14:14

Earthstar my db had a heart attack a few weeks ago brought on by dehydration following food poisioning - never a fitter guy could there be. he had his angio yesterday now all the swelling etc has gone down.He was very very fit - didnt drink or smoke and is building their house at the mo - I saw him last week and he has lost a lot of weight and is very tired, fell asleep on the sofa whilst we were talking and also having to take aLOT of medication which in itself is making him feel crap.... so do be preppared for thta....

I hope he continues to gain some strength and you get an idea of damage etc and recouperation....

noddyholder · 26/02/2010 14:15

I have this enlarged heart and had probably had it for yeras but was omly diagnosed in 2000 I am maintained on medication and I have had to change my life but things are improving in treatment all the time Hope things improve and try to take it a day at a time xx

saggarmakersbottomknocker · 26/02/2010 18:35

Sorry to read this Earthstar. My dd has suffered intermittantly with CHF all her life. She's 16 now and whilst her heart remains enlarged she isn't currently in failure. I hope someone has told you that heart failure doesn't mean your dp is going to suddenly drop down dead. It's a scary term but it means that, for whatever reason, his heart isn't pumping as efficiently as it should.

If he has an infection it could be as a result of that - in rare cases something like flu can put a person into heart failure. There are loads of medications that can support his heart until he recovers from his infection and can help to reverse any damage done. I hope you get some idea very soon as to why this has happened and that you get a good prognosis.

Take care.

queenoftheslatterns · 26/02/2010 18:38

oh my goodness, what a terrible shock, sending you all love and a speedy recovery x

Original poster
Earthstar · 26/02/2010 20:07

A big thank you to all of you for taking time to post and being so helpful and lovely.

Dp is off oxygen now but will be in for a few more days yet, he is getting loads of attention and seeing a professor tomorrow. He got very angry with poor dd over nothing this evening; he is generally an Unusually angry person and I am now worried that if he can't get that in check it will give him a heart attack when he gets out . I am hoping there will be somebody at the hospital who might advise on thAt?

OP posts:
coppertop · 26/02/2010 20:12

Best wishes to you and your dp, Earthstar. xx

cocolepew · 26/02/2010 20:18

What a shock, best wishes to you all.

ABetaDad · 26/02/2010 20:21

Earthstar, that is dreadful news. Glad ot hear he is getting better and now under proper care.

Is the anger issue due to extreme stress, overwork or just a personality issue? There are therapies available such as CBT and anger management but also a full analysis of his life with a personal coach to set new life goals and change his focus may also be a good idea.

Times like this can be a real focus for positive change in someones life and of their family. It did for me and am a better man for it.

Keep well and all the best.

Bicnod · 26/02/2010 20:29

You poor thing, you must be out of your mind with worry. Sending much love and hope he is home soon x x

Psychomum - glad to hear you are home from hospital and feeling a bit better, I was wondering how you were doing.

organichairbrush · 26/02/2010 20:37

I'm really sorry. I have heart problems too, so I know that it's scary. The only advice I can give is to take each moment as it comes, and not to dwell on the future too much. But I agree that one the most depressing things is being the youngest person there (I'm 32)...

psychomum5 · 27/02/2010 00:40

thanks bicnod, yup, slowly mending me.

earthstar, if you are worried about his anger, is there anyone you can talk to with regards to your health fears for him??

doubleinstructions · 27/02/2010 00:49

Oh thats horrible news...fingers cossed for you.
Was maybe his anger at dd due to being scared and shock?? Your poor dd,she must be frightened.
Sending you best wishes.

lulu2 · 27/02/2010 00:53

sorry to hear about your dp earthstar. My dp had a heart attack 3 years ago aged 34 and ended up having a single bypass, he has recovered really well.
It was a terrible time and i really struggled when he came home from hospital. I found the british heart foundation very helpful, the booklets they produce are very informative and i rang them as well for support and advice.