Seems to be a lot of us here with cardiac issues or others with questions. I figured I would start this as place where people can come to share their stories, ask questions, get answers, find others with their same condition(s) and just generally be a place to support each other through difficult times.

My back story. I was diagnosed with Dilated Cardiomyopathy (DCM) in 2001 with resulant congestive heart failure. My ejection fraction was 15-17%. I have a pacemaker and the ICD function has saved my life during multiple ventricular tachycardia storms generating multiple chocks per episode. They have ranged from 8 - 53 shocks in various events. I have been through on ablation and am awaiting approval for a new technique to get FDA approval for my next one.

Feel free to reach out here or via email if you want to discuss anything.

I hope others share their experiences so we can help each other.

Heart valve in 2016. 11 or 12 cardioversions since. Had a pulsed field ablation in January. It seems to be working. My ICD has never shocked me. Paces all the time due to AV node ablation. Now I'm dealing with pulmonary issues. Use oxygen at night into my cpap and going to have a portable concentrator for longer walks. Hopefully get my stamina back to 2017-18 levels.

My ordeal began about 4-5 years ago with A-fib. Had a cardioversion and that seemed to fix everything. A year later I got Covid and that setoff the A-fib again. Had an ablation done which helped but ended up having 4 ablations in total - 3 before open heart surgery to replace aortic and mitral valves and one after for A-flutter. They also installed an ICD but it has never shocked me. They finally seemed to get it right with the 4th ablation as I have been ok since *knocks on wood*. My EF was down to 20% at one point but has improved somewhat.

It has been a year and a half since my surgery and I feel good. I can still get out and do physical work outside with no issues. Stamina is good as well.

One question for yall - how long was your chest incision sensitive? Just the scar part. Mine is still sensitive - not painful but just touchy. I don't even like the shower water to hit me straight on.

My incision are is pretty much numb. I am on my 3rd implant each with its own scar. I know the device can irritate the tissue below the scar if you use something that puts pressure on the area.

Had a patient with a new pacemaker who started off on a cross-country trip. When he came back the pacemaker site was infected. Had to have pacemaker and leads removed, new set installed on other side of chest. Seem the driver's side seat belt was right over the pacemaker, rubbing it and starting the inflammation. Nasty.

I've had patients with atrial fib whose EF went south when rate was not controlled, but came back when controlled. It's a real thing--not common, but happens.

My Dad had a quintuple bypass at age 58 (I'm now 52) and his dad died of a heart attack when my dad was just 12 so there is definitely a family history for me that has me concerned and trying to be proactive:

-Had a stress test this past fall and it went very well, docs did not seem concerned about any findings

-Decided to start taking the Crestor the VA prescribed for me; 5mg a night and also CoQ10 with it as was recommended by members here. Total cholesterol as of January 2025 was 225 with HDL of 42 and LDL of 160. I plan to get another blood test at the 2 month point of the Crestor to see if its helped.

-I do have occasional AFib that developed maybe 10 or so years ago but after going on a CPAP in 2021, the instances of that have gone from 1-2 a month to just 2-3 a year if that. I think my heart was getting so stressed from OSA that this was a side effect but it seems to be under control thankfully with no drugs or other intervention needed

-Weight and lack of regular exercise is always a struggle for me. I do recognize that I could stand to lose a good 25 lbs and need to get back into a regular routine of exercise.

Been a heart failure patient for years. EF 35% with 30% PVC's prior to Entresto. After 8 months of the drug, EF 45% with 0% PVC's. Pricey, but, I guess the stuff works.

I couldn't breath starting in Dec. 20-30 feet and then I was winded and needed a serious break. That was really odd bc I've done a lot of kayaking in the fall, biking, long exercise walks without a problem.

Finally went to urgent care in Jan and was diagnosed with pneumonia that I beat without meds but my L lung was full of fluids and they sent me straight to hosp ER for admission.

I found out that I have Afib, a clot in the chamber and CHF with 10 to 15% function and a shit ton of fluid to get rid of. Did Lasix and pissed like a racehorse for 5 days and dropped 20 lbs of water. Tried to do mini ablation but the TEE showed the clot And they also found I have 100% blockage in one artery and 85% in another but that I'm some sort of genetic freak because I'm growing auxiliary to make up for the blocked one of 100%.

ECG next month and depending on the results, I'm set for a June reattempt at the mini ablation and insertion of a couple of stents. Although the doctor said that should work fine but if not, bypass coming the fall.

I just did a 3k non-stop walk on Sat for the American Heart Assoc and I felt fine. Wasn't winded, fatigued or light headed. I just don't do anything arduous beyond mowing the lawn.

Lots of pills - Jardiance, Entresto, Lasix and Eliquis, among others.

At age 60, I found myself with a Cardiologist.

Afib. I have had 2 ablations, with episodes between the first and second. The most recent ablation was last August and episode free since.

I carry Pill in my Pocket, should I have another episode.

I am very grateful for my Electrophysiologist.

If you think you are experiencing a cardiac issue, do not wait, do not pass go, do not collect $200. Go to the hospital. You can thank me later.

I'll play.

Diagnosed with aFib about 5 years ago, probably had it for 3-4 years before that but only manifest under extreme conditions and didn't bother trying to sort that out.

Ok with simple meds for several years until late 2024. January went to my cardiologist (a phrase I had hoped to avoid for life), about the time I was really winded. Technically this was the EP doc, who's been managing this in addition to the general cardiologist.

Discussed going ahead with ablation for the aFib so I didn't have to keep dealing with this and oh, BTW, the reason you're winded is you are also in atrial flutter almost always. Got cardioversion a week after that, interim to the ablation for the aFib. That lasted 4 days, back in flutter. Fine, deal with it the week until ablation.

Plan was to do aFib ablation, let that heal a bit then come back and do right side ablation for flutter if still an issue.

That promptly went to shit when, under anesthesia and upon starting the TEE probe prior to ablation I went into sustained V-tac (Google and doc says not cool). Shocked out of that, they got an IR in to do emergent cardiac cath, all vessels clear (hey folks, you had just done a CTA, remember THAT?). She didn't want to mess with the left atrium ablation for aFib at this point in the adventure but was still comfortable doing right for the flutter.

Key point - if you're going to go into a death rhythm do it in the cardiology suite of hospital.

Doc was a bit freaked out, not being certain what had triggered that. Said she'd never seen that from a TEE, but at the point of initiation she hadn't even done anything else. Apparently there is a remote possibility of that as a side effect. Of course it could also be something else that coincidentally happened at that perfect time. Like, for instance, ARVD/C. One of the docs I work for told me not to look it up....

So, been wearing a Zoll Lifevest (external wearable defibrillator) since just in case. That has been a real joy, this is nearly three months now. Have an appropriate cardiac MRI scheduled for early May to diagnose if ARVD or something else is part of the issue, but either way I'm next getting an implantable defibrillator, followed soon after by the aFib ablation we were starting out for.

So yeah, it's been a year so far. They tell me soon I'll be back to normal. I'm not whining, just working the puzzle.

This is my story and I apologize up front for the length but I think there is a lesson to be learned from it. Up until age 60 I was in pretty good shape. I ran my last marathon at age 54 and three legs of a 300 mile relay race with my kids and their friends at age 58. My father's side of my family had some history of heart related early deaths so I always ate a pretty healthy diet as well as running and doing an annual physical.

When I turned 60 I went in for the physical and mentioned I wasn't running any more and felt more tired at 60 than I thought I would. Bloodwork showed no issues, cholesterol still under 200, but he ordered a stress test. It came back inconclusive so an echocardiogram was the next test. It came back a little abnormal so they performed a heart cath to see if it was "Normal" for me or if I had a blockage. They backed out after finding 6 blockages of 80% or more and scheduled surgery for the next morning. They found two more during the surgery so they did a total of 8 bypasses. The cardiologist explained to me that I had what they call "Sticky" cholesterol (Lipoprotein a) so even though my blood tests showed normal for years it was slowly building up in my arteries. The fact I had eaten healthy and exercised probably delayed the inevitable by 10-15 years and kept me alive. They put me on a statin and now my total cholesterol is 115-120.

Fours years later during an annual checkup they found AFIB. I wore a monitor which showed I was having AFIB 43% of the time. Again, no pain or symptoms other than a bit of rapid heartbeat now and then. They did a successful ablation.

At age 67 I was experiencing some unusual lack of stamina and weight gain. I mentioned this during my physical and they sent me to the hospital for testing. They ruled out a recent heart attack but said I was experiencing heart failure. The weight gain was fluid in my lungs and referred me back to my cardiologist. Another heart cath showed nothing, an echocardiogram showed my EF had dropped to the low 40s, and a MRI showed I had a silent heart attack somewhere along the line. The last test they performed was a pyp scan which showed a strong positive result for cardiac amyloidosis.

They started me on Entresto (Expensive) and Vyndamax, the $200,000+ a year prescription that is one of two shown to combat cardiac amyloidosis. So far so good. My last annual checkup the echocardiogram showed an improvement in my EF% and I haven't had to use Lasix to combat fluid retention.

I think the important thing here is pay attention to your body. Mention anything that seems strange during an annual physical. By all basic measures I was a healthy individual. Good blood tests, active, not overweight, but I happen to mention a few things and luckily my doctor picked up on it and ordered the initial testing. The only common thread was lack of energy and I attributed that to turning 60. No pain and no other common symptoms. If you feel more tired than you think you should get a physical and tell the doctor.

As a side note, if you are on Entresto or Vyndamax go to their web sites and see if you qualify for assistance. Between insurance and their assistance I am able to keep the cost manageable and not drain my life's savings.

I was perfectly unhealthy until that fateful day last June when I woke up, took a shower, and called 911 with a STEMI. While online with 911 I managed to get dressed, unlock the front door, and brush my teeth (I wasn't gonna have some cute EMT seeing me all desperate and such).

Made it to the hospital, had stents placed and a balloon pump inserted, and spent three miserable days in the ICU getting sponge baths from cute nurses (except Martin, not my preference but a good sponge bath nonetheless).

That started on a Sunday, and I had a followup appointment on that same Friday, released because I'm stubborn and went back to work on Monday.

I take a pill salad daily and that is the only sucky part, other than that I'm active, work 40 a week, and still exercise daily.

Heart attacks suck.

I had no heart issues until 53. Been into athletics in high school and college and raced dirt bikes for 20 years so thought I was in reasonable shape. Had a stress test at 40 due to history. Showed no blockage. At 53 I was washing my daughter’s car in the heat and felt a little tired. Went inside and sat down for 10 minutes, felt fine and finished washing her car. Feeling came back so I sat down. Thought about lying down but decided against it. Wife calls on the way home and I tell her I’m not feeling great. She says we can go to the doc when she gets home. For some reason I got up and ate an aspirin. My grandfather dropped dead at 51 so something in the back of my mind.

Wife comes home and says I look like shit. Other than tired, I have no other symptoms. Wife drives me to ER. Within 1 min of arriving they hook an ekg up to me and tell me I’m having a widowmaker. Still feel only tired. They wheeled me in for surgery. Doc tells me the A team is all warmed up from a previous surgery. Woke up twice and talked to my surgeon while looking at my heart on a big screen tv.

Went through rehab. On my first followup with my cardiologist he tells me he doesn’t know why I’m alive. Told me if I took a nap I would have died. Tells me if I didn’t chew an aspirin I would have died. Honestly doesn’t know why I survived.

For now I am blessed. I have average heart function for a person that never had a heart attack.

On my soapbox. You can be having a heart attack with no bad symptoms. No chest pain, no shooting pain down arm, no cold sweats, just tired. Please, if you think there is any possibility you are having a heart attack, seek help immediately even if no symptoms. It may just save your life.

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Please, if you think there is any possibility you are having a heart attack, seek help immediately even if no symptoms. It may just save your life.

Sound advice here. My STEMI (2014) came about after a day of moving 8 yds. of mulch to the beds. No searing pain, just a dull ache below my left shoulder blade. Figured I pulled a muscle. Stood under a hot shower that seemed to help until I got out. Called my GP the next day and she took me right in, slapped an EKG on me for 5 minutes and called an ambulance. Spent a few days in CCU with failed stent attempts. Sent home on drug management. Short time later, EF dropped like a stone and have been treated for heart failure ever since. The rallying cry, "Don't lift anything heavy!"

I haven't and 11 years later, I'm still here with no further episodes. The point, as cruiser said, not all heart attacks feel like heart attacks. Listen to your gut and don't ignore abnormalities.

Oh, and, not a good idea to wait that extra day. Every cardiologist I saw told me how lucky I was.

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Originally posted by pace40:

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Please, if you think there is any possibility you are having a heart attack, seek help immediately even if no symptoms. It may just save your life.

Sound advice here. My STEMI (2014) came about after a day of moving 8 yds. of mulch to the beds. No searing pain, just a dull ache below my left shoulder blade. Figured I pulled a muscle. Stood under a hot shower that seemed to help until I got out. Called my GP the next day and she took me right in, slapped an EKG on me for 5 minutes and called an ambulance. Spent a few days in CCU with failed stent attempts. Sent home on drug management. Short time later, EF dropped like a stone and have been treated for heart failure ever since. The rallying cry, "Don't lift anything heavy!"

I haven't and 11 years later, I'm still here with no further episodes. The point, as cruiser said, not all heart attacks feel like heart attacks. Listen to your gut and don't ignore abnormalities.

Oh, and, not a good idea to wait that extra day. Every cardiologist I saw told me how lucky I was.

You got very lucky like me!

I have a family history of Heart Disease going back to either 1642 or 1682. Apparently the hand writing on those records is nearly illegible. End result is that no male in my direct family line has lived to see 80. My grandfather was killed by a heart attack at 63 years of age and my older brother was 59. BTW my older brother was a life long runner but refused to tell is Primary that he had started walking instead of running. Found that out after he passed and his wife had been asking him to get a full physical for 3 years prior to his heart attack. Just another lesson for everyone reading this, if you have fatigue issues then get your butt to the doctor and don't hide anything.

As for myself I have a history of smoking and quit in 2012 after my brother passed. In 2015 I started walking for exercise and that summer worked up to a 13:30 pace and walked off 50 lbs. In 2018 I had an episode of tachycardia after a light workout at the gym and had a record of that because I was wearing my Garmin Chest monitor. Sent that to my Primary via a text when he was in Mexico on Vacation. He called back and said I can't see any cause for that because what I sent was a trace of the heart rate. He scheduled me to see him the day after he got back from vacation. That led to a Cardiolotist and a boatload of tests. End result was a Mitral Valve repair in 2018 with a triple bypass.

Everything went pretty well but AFIB became an issue in 2021 and Metoprolol was added worked well until early 2023. Then Sotalol was added and exercising got a bit painful due to an over restrained heart rate. Also had Xaralto added to the Plavix I was taking since my heart surgery. That led to Gastric Bleeding that in hindsight was triggering bouts of AFIB due to Anemia. BTW, this is hindsight speaking here because my Cardiologist did NOT put in a regimen of CBC testing to monitor for indicators of Anemia. Take note, you can have gastric bleeding without any Black Stools. If you are on multiple blood thinners then have a talk with your Cardiologist about monitoring the Hemoglobin count. March 7 of this year I woke up and could barely walk 10 feet. Went to the hospital thinking I might be having a silent heart attack and it turned out my hemoglobin was 6.6. At this point I've been scoped at both ends and no active bleeding was seen. However these tests are not capable of monitoring for seepage. Note the normal range starts at 13.5.

At present my anticoagulants have been changed to Aspirin and Elequis plus an Iron supplement and I am getting back to normal strength. Beginning of May I go in for an ultrasound because the one done at the hospital generated a note about Mitral Valve regurgitation. Unfortunately that particular test was not recorded so the new test is to determine if it's a new issue or the minor regurgitation I had after that mitral valve repair. Going forward I may need to get a prosthetic valve inserted. Also looking into a Watchman but not crazy about the idea of two mechanical devices so close together in my heart.

I had AFIB at 78 and I started taking magnesium. I also starting eating more kale. My next blood test showed my magnesium level was too high so I stopped taking the supplement.

I am confused the usual treatment is Eliquis or Xarelto. I have taken low dose Magnesium for nightime leg cramps.

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Originally posted by ZSMICHAEL:
I am confused....

He's talking about trying to control the aFib, not manage the potential clotting results.

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Originally posted by Georgeair:

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Originally posted by ZSMICHAEL:
I am confused....

He's talking about trying to control the aFib, not manage the potential clotting results.

Actually Sotolol and Metoprolol are Beta Blockers intended to control AFIB by limiting the heart rate. Xaralto, Elequis, Plavix and Aspirin are all anti coagulants. These are given to keep stents in the heart open and reduce the chance of a major blood clot forming in the Atrial Appendage during AFIB. BTW clots formed in the Atrial Appendage have a tendency to be pushed to the brain which will cause a major stroke.