9th August 2007
In early April I was diagnosed with Heart Failure. Symptoms ranged from widespread edema, shortness of breath, even when at rest, terrible fatigue, an ejection fraction of 46 and blood test(s) that the cardiologist said pointed clearly to heart failure.
I was put on a number of heart meds like Coreg, Digoxin, Lasix, Monopril, Potassium, and Aldactone. I lost 64 lbs in the first 40 days, I'm sure most of it was water. Within 3 months the total weight loss came to over 80 pounds.
Then last week I had a repeat echo cardiogram indicating an ejection fraction of 59. Three days later came my angiogram. The cardiologist said my "coronaries" were "clear," and my heart had no damage. I asked if this meant that I no longer had heart failure, and he said "yes, that's what it means - keep doing what you're doing and keep taking the meds and see me in 3 months. For now return to your GP. And go ahead and do whatever you like."
WOW! This was great news. But I'm confused. I was under the impression that this condition was chronic, or longer lasting than this. Is it common for folks to "recover" like this?
steve
I was put on a number of heart meds like Coreg, Digoxin, Lasix, Monopril, Potassium, and Aldactone. I lost 64 lbs in the first 40 days, I'm sure most of it was water. Within 3 months the total weight loss came to over 80 pounds.
Then last week I had a repeat echo cardiogram indicating an ejection fraction of 59. Three days later came my angiogram. The cardiologist said my "coronaries" were "clear," and my heart had no damage. I asked if this meant that I no longer had heart failure, and he said "yes, that's what it means - keep doing what you're doing and keep taking the meds and see me in 3 months. For now return to your GP. And go ahead and do whatever you like."
WOW! This was great news. But I'm confused. I was under the impression that this condition was chronic, or longer lasting than this. Is it common for folks to "recover" like this?
steve