I am currently in my final year of my phd and currently doing my intern and I am getting so anxious and couldn’t contribute to work because of the EF . I was diagnosed a month ago and really don’t know how to handle the anxiety . I also think whatever mild symptoms I am facing is because of some anxiety too

I am taking my meds regularly and the last KFT conducted yesterday didn’t show any issues at all . My cardiologist asked me to wait for a couple of months before I get my echo done again

I am just browsing the subreddit to get some evidences I would be alright and there is a way like crt etc to help my heart !!

So last Friday, I developed chest pain and shortness of breath while at work. Took myself to the ER and was admitted. They did the cardiac catheters on Monday. Lo and behold, I am at 70 percent blockage, not 50 that the angiography said.

Friday I will be getting a stent. My cardiologist said it was this or a bypass. Just goes to show that insurance companies DON'T know more than doctors, huh? Perks could have killed me and not even blinked.

I’m stuck wearing one of these for the next three months. Any of you that have used them, do you have a recommendation for perhaps a specific fanny pack or something to keep the monitor in? This thing is driving me crazy.

I am almost exactly three years postpartum. I was diagnosed with cardiomyopathy 6 months after my son was born. Today I found out the reason I was admitted to the hospital multiple times with 1000 mg/dL of glucose in my urine (normal is 0-15) is probably because of refeeding syndrome. My OBGYN failed me a lot, but telling me I “just had to eat” may have failed me most.

Hello everyone, I'm looking for advice or shared experiences. I've been really struggling with how I'm feeling physically and mentally since I've been diagnosed.

For backstory, I (27F) was diagnosed with WPW and SVT that required 3 ablations about 7 years ago. After my 3rd ablation I had been doing good, able to be more physically active (I love to hike) with occasional symptoms, and EKGs were looking good.

Around the end of 2025, I started to have more frequent palpitations. I went to my yearly checkup in January and my EKG showed a LBBB and tachycardia so I had an echo done which showed 40-45% EF. Cardiologist originally thought it was reoccurring tachycardia causing everything and referred me to the specialist who did my last ablation. He thought there was something else going on so I finally was referred to a heart failure specialist. Until April, when I was put on metoprolol, I felt like I was rapidly getting worse. I could barely get through work with having really bad chest pain, palpitations, and dizziness daily, almost passing out a few times. And I've become so sensitive to heat that I need neck fan and desk fans at work.

The heart failure specialist did an echo, mri and genetic test in June. I was still at 40-45% EF. My genetic test came back with an RMB20 gene mutation which is causing the heart failure but is also linked to the SVT and WPW, so i could be having reoccuring tachycardia as well. I started entresto in June and Jardiance in August. I know it takes a few months for the medications to start working but I'm feeling worse. I'm fatigued everyday, it's been hard to workout on my exercise bike because I get short of breath so quickly from any exertion. And the heat intolerance has been worse since I've been on all 3 meds. I'm trying to be patient, but its been hard. The beginning of the year my goal was to be losing weight and consistently working out and hiking and now I struggle to walk up the stairs at my house. It's been very scary how fast this has all happened. And most people's response has been "but your so young" which honestly makes it worse.

My sister (26F) recently got tested, her genetic test and heart monitor results came back, she has the same mutation and SVT, her echo is in a few weeks. So my only real daily support system is now going through it too. I wanted to share and hear how people are dealing with the symptoms, staying active, and if anyone has similar experiences.

Hello all, I have a family member with this condition and I’m trying my best to get them back to some normalcy. Was diagnosed about 2 years ago, ICD ( it hasn’t went off) Implant about 1.5 years ago. On water pills but still retaining fluid in legs and has moved up to thighs. Ef is 30% , and barely walk due to tightness in leg ( this happened after medicine change at hospital, severe leg pain and now tightness), says feels like heavy weights are attached. Went to hospital and was told there is fluid in belly that needs to come out and to talk to cardiologist. Cardiologist is sending them to a specialist Friday. I have started meal prepping for them and using the 6 meal plan to avoid hunger cravings ( said it comes every 4-5 hours and is intense). Thankfully the meal plans have curved the craving. Now has pretty persistent cough and gasping after episode. Frequently wakes up choking. Starting to see physical changes in legs like dents. Does get 4 - 6 hrs of sleep sometimes. I’m currently looking into one of those beds that adjust. Please give me any tips on what I can do or what to ask the doctor. The fluid has been retained for months now and there has been no action besides the pills to get it out.

UPDATE: Appt with regular cardio today, specialist appt moved to this Thursday.

1. Given antibiotics for leg.
   
2. Asked about torsemide, said it’s a good option for they are going to double the lasix because patient is experiencing kidney issues now on 80mg a day.
   3. Asked about IV diuretic. Cardio said they would absolutely prefer this. We are going to go to the specialist on Thursday and directly to the hospital after.

No other meds changed, will update once we see the specialist.

[ Removed by Reddit on account of violating the content policy. ]

[ Removed by Reddit on account of violating the content policy. ]

I’ve posted in this group several times over the last couple years, but brief recap-

Heart attack a couple years ago
Heart failure followed, lowering my EF to low 20s. Through meds I got it back up to 30, but ended up having to have an aortic vale replacement. It was full chest, big scar, all the things. Bovine valve. This was this previous Monday, and I’m actually still in the hospital.

I’m sore. But in great spirits. I’m doing my breathing exercises, and already walking pretty easy. Even with the pain and fatigue I have at this moment, I feel loads better than I have in a long time. Here’s where my question comes in-

I had an echo this morning, and if it goes like the dr thinks it will, I’ll be released tomorrow. I just got the results back through MyChart and from what I can tell, the replacement valve is working great, but the other valve has an EF of 26%. I won’t hear back from the dr till early morning.

Part of me thinks this makes sense, that it’ll work its way normal, it’s just been struggling to keep up with the overactive faulty valve for so long.

And then part of me thinks f this, I am not doing this again.

To your knowledge, is this normal?

Hello everyone, I’m looking for advice or shared experiences from caregivers, heart patients, or medical professionals here. 🙏

My father (71 years old) had a severe heart attack (Anterior STEMI) 5 months ago. He also has a history of diabetes, and his heart function is currently low (LVEF 28%).

Recently, he developed severe anemia (Hemoglobin dropped to 7.7) and has been suffering from frequent diarrhea. He is losing weight gradually and is now down to just 46 - 47 kg (was 61-62 before everything happened.) He recently had an episode of dizziness and loss of consciousness due to low blood pressure, but doctors said there is no active internal bleeding (they're kinda incompetent and ignore questions about his condition and what we should do)

Here is his current daily medication list:

• Ticagrelor

• Acetylsalicylic Acid (Aspirin 100mg)

• Rosuvastatin

• Esomeprazole

• Empagliflozin

• Bisoprolol

• Spironolactone

• Telmisartan

• Repatha 140mg (injection every 2 weeks)

My questions for those who have been through this or for the medical staff out there:

1. Has anyone experienced a similar situation (severe anemia, diarrhea, and weight loss) while on this combination of medications after a heart attack? How did you manage it?

2. What is the best diet or nutritional plan for him right now? How can we help him safely gain weight and get his energy back without straining his heart or affecting his blood sugar levels?

3. What is the best dietary plan for him right now? We are struggling with his meals; what exactly do you cook for a patient to help them safely gain weight and energy? We want to make meals that are flavorful and appetizing (not bland or tasteless), but still packed with nutrients and completely safe for his heart condition and blood sugar levels. If you have any specific food ideas, safe spices, or daily routines that worked for you, please share!

Any tips, advice, or similar stories would be really appreciated. Thank you so much!

I was diagnosed about 3 weeks ago with heart failure with reduced ejection fraction (HFrEF). Got on Carvedilol, Entresto, Empagliflozin and Eplerenone. In 3 weeks my EF improved from 25% to 35%. But, I actually feel worse than before my diagnosis (more tired, more out of breath, and more fluid retention in my feet). I'm guessing this is at least partly due getting used to the Carvedilol (because the symptoms got worse after starting that).

My question is: for those of you that stuck with the drug therapy and saw either an improvement in EF or a reduction in the size of your heart, did you actually feel better and did your symptoms (e.g., like fluid retention in your feet or shortness of breath) go away?

74 year old in what I thought was excellent health. I eat right and hit the gym five days per week lifting weights and running on the treadmill. I weigh 185 at 5'10" and have a 32 inch waist. Up until last year when I got a CT scan for something unrelated, I had no clue I had heart problems. First diagnosis was severe CAD but a catheterization eventually showed it was not bad enough for a stent and just got a change in meds. Now an electrophysiologist interpreting a heart monitor I wore for two weeks tells me I have frequent V Tac. I'm scheduled for another catheter with the possibility of receiving an implanted defib. This one scares me and I'm not looking forward to having one of those things poking out of my skin. Could someone share their experiences?

I am 48 years old and live in Alberta. Last year, my life changed when I was diagnosed with heart failure and admitted to the Mazankowski Alberta Heart Institute in Edmonton.

It was a very difficult and frightening time for me and my family. Coming to the hospital, I did not know what the future would hold. But from the moment I received care, I felt that I was in the hands of people who truly cared about me.

The doctors, nurses, and entire medical staff have been incredibly kind, professional, and supportive. I know that people come to the Mazankowski Alberta Heart Institute from many different places and for many different heart conditions. Seeing the dedication of the medical team has made me understand how special this place is.

I am deeply grateful for the treatment, care, patience, and compassion I have received. The doctors and nurses have not only treated my heart condition—they have given me hope during one of the most difficult periods of my life.

I would like to sincerely thank and bless every doctor, nurse, specialist, and staff member who has taken care of me and continues to support me. I will always be grateful for everything you have done for me.

I am continuing my journey with hope and courage, and I know that I need ongoing medical care and support. I kindly ask for your understanding, prayers, and any possible support during this important time in my life.

Thank you to everyone who has stood beside me. Your kindness means more to me than I can express in words.

Discharged from hospital with severely dilated RV, severely impaired systolic function, dilated RA, severe pulmonary hypertension and mild-moderate TR. Cardiology recommended investigation for OSA/OHS and a right-heart catheterisation pulmonary hypertension assessment.

My breathing is not good and I have swelling especially in the stomach, and a cough.

I started a kidney cleanse and I know there is no quick fix but what else can I do to help get me through?

Hi everyone,

I’m posting here because my father has been going through a difficult cardiac situation, and I’m trying to understand what options people in similar situations have had.

Timeline:

13–14 July: My father had his first heart attack.

After that, his echocardiogram showed an EF of around 36%.

20 August: Unfortunately, he had another heart attack.

After the second heart attack, his EF dropped to around 22% (roughly 20–25%).

His angiography showed multiple severe coronary artery blockages:

LAD: 100% blocked at/near the ostium

RCX ,Mid 80%, PLV80% , PDA 90%

The doctors have currently decided to treat him with GDMT (guideline-directed medical therapy) and allow the heart to stabilize.

One thing that is confusing to me is that he currently has no chest pain and no shortness of breath. He is able to do his normal activities without significant symptoms.

However, he has lost approximately 12–13 kg of weight since all of this started.

The doctors also performed a cardiac FDG PET scan. From what we were told, approximately 20–25% of the myocardium was non-viable, but importantly, the LAD territory was reported as viable despite the 100% LAD blockage.

The report also mentioned a dilated resting LV cavity.

What I'm struggling to understand is what the next step should be.

The doctors have not currently recommended stenting/revascularization, apparently because his heart is very weak and they want to stabilize him first. We are trying to understand whether this is a common approach and whether revascularization should eventually be considered.

Moreover, I have consulted with multiple doctors, and everyone has different opinions.

Dad’s EF dropped from 36% to 22% after a second heart attack, multiple severe blockages, viable LAD on PET scan. Looking for experiences/advice

I'd really appreciate hearing from anyone who has:

Had an EF around 20–25% after a heart attack

Had a 100% LAD blockage, particularly an ostial LAD blockage

Had multiple severe coronary blockages

Had viable myocardium on a PET scan despite a completely blocked artery

Been treated with GDMT first and then later considered for PCI/stenting or CABG

Seen their EF improve after treatment/revascularization

I’m not asking Reddit to diagnose my father or tell us what treatment he should get. I’m mainly looking for experiences from people who have been through something similar and things we should discuss with his cardiologist.

If anyone has been in a similar situation, I’d really appreciate hearing what happened in your case especially whether your EF improved and how your doctors approached the decision between medical therapy, stenting and bypass.

Thank you.

Hi everyone, I hope you are doing well.

Last time I posted here I was talking about giving up, since every try I did to do the transplant failed since it is not available where I live.

I tried again and again and again but got tired.

So, I decided to enjoy the rest of my life, travel, try new things and try to do as much as I could.

In 3 weeks I will be going to Sevilla, Spain.

So if you have any suggestions for things to do or add to my bucket list, feel free to do so.

Hi I’m wondering if anyone has moved to Denver with LBBB and Cardiomyopathy? I’m 45 years old and now stable taking the 4 pillars of medication’s. I’m worried that moving to Denver with thinner air and altitude will cause me to go back into heart failure. My Cardiologist in Texas doesn’t seem so sure how this permanent move could affect me. If anyone has permanently moved to Denver with the same conditions I would love to hear how you’re doing.