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Posted 7/25/2016 11:22 AM (GMT 0)
Dear Forum Readers:
I'm a new member of this forum as of a few minutes ago. I was recently diagnosed with LVF through an echocardiogram. Here are some notes about the echo from my primary care doctor.

Echo shows good pumping function
Some hypertrophy of left ventricle
Valves ok
some meds to consider but reassuring

Prior to this diagnosis about two weeks ago, I was asymptomatic. I was at my primary care doctor for my annual physical exam and made an offhand comment about being slightly short of breath. I live in Blacksburg, VA and had been trying to lose weight by walking. The area where I live is very hilly. I never suspected an issue with my heart. My PCD ordered a proBNP test, which came back at 625.3. I'm 49 years old and 280lbs at 6'2".

Since this diagnosis, my life has kind of been in a downward spiral as bizarre as that sounds. I awoke about 4:30 a.m. today with a chill and palpitations. I kind of feel this uneasiness now and almost jittery. I realize this is a lot of information. But for those of you with LVH, does this sound like your symptoms, or am I having major issues with anxiety?
thanks for your comments,
Jeff
Posted 7/26/2016 3:35 AM (GMT 0)
the good news is valves and pumping. all systems going good there. meds, yeah, we need them sometimes!!!! anxiety is a bugger. causes all sorts of haywire, rapid heart and all of the common stuff. yes, decrease anxiety. I will look up ya dx. I know a little more on the by-pass stuff. just saying welcome, forum can be slow.
Posted 7/26/2016 4:53 AM (GMT 0)
First, I agree with The Happy Turtle, you have good pumping and that valves are okay, now if I were you I'd get a second opinion from another cardiologist.
Did your doctor talk with you about life style changes like loosing some weight might help, so maybe a diet change.
Also, anytime you get a diaganosis of a heart ailment, then yes its scary, but you have treatment options and things you can do to improve your health, so I think yes you experiencing a lot of anxiety right now...maybe look into counseling..
Posted 7/26/2016 1:24 PM (GMT 0)
It would be totally normal to be experiencing some anxiety. And I think it's also normal after receiving a new diagnosis to start to notice things and become more anxious about your health in general.

I would do a follow-up with your cardiologist and go in with a written list of questions and concerns and discuss them all. This can help lesson some anxiety and make the future less scary.

Be very careful about what you read on the internet. It's important to be educated, but you will read a lot of worse case scenarios that can do more harm to your emotional state.

Finally, there are hundreds of thousands of us living normal healthy lives with heart disease. Some of us were born with it, some acquired. Either way, it is possible to live a complete and full life. Lifestyle changes must be made, but I'd guess most of us are better for them.

Good luck.
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