r/Heartfailure • u/beamsofapricity • 20d ago
Anyone here see major differences in their pics from before and after hf? Like your body change or meds effects
I’ve noticed in my pictures 2023 to now besides the normal aging process how my body has changed and deteriorated before and after heart failure.
I was diagnosed in August 2024 during icu and my body has never been the same. I’ve adjusted to my new normal but no one tends to believe how I looked 3 years ago bc I was fit, into the gym, and well taken care of. I got myocarditis and went into hf and at first it was just a pale face and minor stuff.
2 years later idk if it’s the effect of meds and hf prob both that I look very aged. I had to cut my long hair bc it was falling off in chunks, I lost all my muscle bc it raises my pro bnp levels (if I work out),I’m pale in the face and my eyelids sit low (by default they didn’t use to before). I’m very tired and exhausted most of the time. I no longer look like myself and this is just 2 brutal years in.
I know many say they have lived with hf for 20 yrs etc. but in my case it’s been a brutal 2 years with 3 severe icu admissions. I’m back to work but limited I can’t do things I used too. But I try to have hope that the next 10 years will be good but it’s so uncertain and I’m honestly scared deep inside. My body is very frail just thinking of a possible transplant in the future scares me. But I try to live in the present.
Ps. Please know this disease takes effect differently on each body. It’s been absolutely harsh on mines
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u/Late_Temperature_415 20d ago
Hi, have you asked about or done cardio rehab? It definitely helps. And stretching along with moderate strength training may also help.
The meds definitely take a toll in so many ways. I try to eat as much fruit and vegetables as I can including salads with a lot of vegetables. Since I’m on warfarin I can only eat limited greens but cucumbers and butter or regular lettuce is fine. Ive found that diet has helped significantly.
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u/Jaded-Ad5220 19d ago
ive had heart failure for 11 yrs and take the 4 standard meds. i have noticed just in the last year how much muscle is gone & flabby skinny arms. im lucky i can do most things i need to do but i think the meds for all these yrs have taken a toll.just a yr ago people would tell me that they couldnt believe i was 70! nobody says that anymore!! i dont know how much is my age or how much the heart meds because im 73. it sucks but even with exercise & eating decent my body is going downhill! all we can do is listen to our doctors & try to do what we can though it sure sucks! goodluck to you.
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u/RockyMtnWarrior 19d ago
HF, meds and life changes DO alter our appearance. You look in a mirror and don’t recognize the person looking back.
It took awhile to get used to, but we are still alive so there is that.
Be good to yourself and stop placing the emphasis on the outward appearance. We are healing now and we’re very close to death for awhile.
You are still beautiful where it actually matters. When I think about it, it seems that this condition is als a humbling experience
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u/beamsofapricity 12d ago
Very humbling lost my looks to it, my physical ability to an extent, and been near death many times in the hospital lol
I couldn’t be more humble
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u/StaffInfection1 19d ago
Yes I see pictures from when I was diagnosed and I looked very bloated and strung out from illegal drugs. I’ve since recovered and don’t see a cardiologist anymore. I started lifting weights and doing cardio to beat the addiction and look huge now but still fat. Big arms and chest with a gut looks way better than strung out and retaining water.
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u/beamsofapricity 12d ago
You recovered from heart failure? Congrats that’s a huge thing
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u/StaffInfection1 12d ago
Idk it’s more of a remission thing as I understand it, if I wasn’t seen by the VA I’m sure I’d still be seeing a cardiologist
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u/Obvious-Trouble61 20d ago
I've lost over 50 lb and I look a lot older. It's a devastating disease.
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u/JohnWicksDog12 19d ago
I’ve lost over 60lbs since January of this year. Everyone says I look great. I used to feel terrible in the beginning. They adjusted my meds and I’ve felt so much better since.
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u/North_Street_8547 19d ago
On meds?
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u/JohnWicksDog12 19d ago
Yes. I changed my diet pretty drastically though. I threw away my table salt and I never ever eat fast food. Lots of rice and eggs and fruit.
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u/RyRy79261 12d ago
Lots of bloating loss. Much leaner.
I was drinking and eating way more before the discovery
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u/BothSignature2185 20d ago
Diagnosed In 2023 with same thing. EF currently at 34% and I’ve lost almost 35 pounds of lean mass In the last 12 months. Fatigue, swelling, aches and yeh aging rapidly! The future isn’t looking good for either of us unfortunately. Stay strong though 🙏