Heart Failure? - Heart Disorders Message Board

forginon · 05-17-2007, 10:12 AM

I'm a 51 year old who's recently been told he has heart failure.

My symptoms began months ago with some night-time wheezing, loss of endurance and breatlessness both during activity and while resting. Plus, my feet, legs and abdomen were badly puffed-up (swelling or edema). I also have strange discomfort in my abdomen.

Many test have been run and the results are mixed. I had an "advanced" blood test that indicated heart failure, as did an echo cardiogram. I've been put on a bunch of meds and over the last couple of months lost a boatload of water and regular weight. The Drs also suspected the med I use for management of chronic pain, methadone. They switched me to another med and I've experienced real improvement in sleep and a few other areas. They were looking to see if the methadone was causing something called prolonged QT intervals, as has received some press lately.

I spent a month working from home and have just returned to work since I'm feeling better. I believe my cardiologist put me on all these meds and recommended light work to get me more "stable" (his words) for more invasive tests (don't know what they might be).

They still seem at a loss to understand how a 51 year old could have heart failure. The cardiologist is suspecting a bad flu I caught just before the heart failure diagnosis, but he admits it's a reach.

I'd appreciate any thoughts you might have that might give me more insight into this disease and what kinds of treatment some of you have endured.

steve

forginon · 05-18-2007, 09:28 AM

Kenkeith & Lenin,

Thanks so much for the replies.

Seems like my symptoms match what you've described.

As for "ejection fraction," is that one of the results of am echocardiogram? I did undergo that procedure and was told the number spread ran from "20" to "60" or "80." Apparently my number is "20." I realize that's not a fraction, but it's all I was given. The "sensitive" blood test I mentioned I believe is referred to as a BNP.

Thanks again,

steve

Lenin · 05-19-2007, 06:47 AM

steve,

The BNP test is a specific heart failure blood test. It measures the level of a certain hormone in your blood called B-type Natriuretic Peptide and both confirms heart failure and judges its progression. This hormone is produced when the ventricles cannot pump enough blood.
The higher your BNP level is at diagnosis, the worse your heart failure is likely to be.

started04 · 05-21-2007, 08:37 AM

I'm not surprised your EF was/is 20% That would be in the heart failure and 80% would/could indicate over compensation. When there is over compensation (50 to 75% is normal), the EF can very quickly drop into the heart failure range if the underlying problem isn't treated.

An EF is a virtual fraction and expressed as a percentage. Probably should be stated efficiency percentage.

forginon · 05-21-2007, 10:12 AM

Thanks again so much for your help, guys.

Looking for more info-

Since the diagnosis in mid early April I've lost an enormous amount of weight, clearly alot of it water. But I made serious diet changes and have realized weight loss there as well. The edema has almost gone away, as has the majority of breathlessness. At the OK of one of my Drs, I have resumed some exercise and am not resting nearly as much as originally ordered. I am on the meds kenkeith mentioned in his first reply to me.

Within the last 5-6 days I've noticed a slight return of some puffiness and some very minor breathlessness. I see the cardiologist this Thursday, but I was wondering what you think - why would I see a return of some symptoms? Could I be over-doing it too soon? Is it normal to have hills and valleys?

steve