Stiff Heart - diastolic heart failure

Hi @tcokeefe. I am a 67 year old female who was diagnosed with diastolic heart failure 5 years ago. I know the feeling you are experiencing. I’ve been told by my cardiologist and an electrophysiologist, that the 5 year mark is not accurate. It all depends on the person. I’m hoping to see my grandchildren grow up. I try to exercise and eat
right. I am in Afib all the time now but my meds seem to be helping, at the moment. I try not to read too much on the internet but searched all I could the first year or so. Good luck to you. Wishing you a Happy, healthy New Year!!👍🏻

don't worry that much !!! the diastolic heart failure involves the left chamber of your heart, mostly due to a thickness of the wall after a long undiagnosed hypertension. the main factor for the prognose is the EF, that means ejection fraction of the left chamber. and of course the hypertension should be treated. If the left atrium is enlarged ( because of the diastolic failure, more blood in the atrium) the mitral valve can become insufficient. even then there is a solution ,as the cardiologist will put a mitral clip around the valve (no operation, katheter)
yoanne

Thanks so much , that’s good news and so good to hear from someone with firsthand experience!

Thanks yoanne!

Hello @tcokeefe

I'm glad that you were comfortable sharing your concerns here on Mayo Connect. I am about your age as well and was diagnosed with diastolic dysfunction (DD) over 20 years ago. It is scary to think of heart failure, isn't it? It certainly was for me as well.

When I was diagnosed I was having terrible fatigue after exercise. I just love to exercise and so this was a real let-down for me. However my EF (ejection fraction has always been good) so it hasn't been of great concern to my cardiologists. Also, I just started with the coughing symptoms but very little shortness of breath.

Do you know what your EF is? You can find it on your echocardiogram report, It might say EF or it might be spelled out "ejection fraction." If that is good and you don't have edema (swelling) in your extremities those are good indicators.

We do have a discussion on DD here on Connect. Here is the link,
https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/diastolic-dysfunction/?utm_campaign=search
Perhaps as you read these posts by other Members you will have some additional information to help you think about this new diagnosis.

Did your echo show any heart valve problems? Do you know your EF? (If not, look at the report (or get a copy of it from your doctor) and find out what it is. Are you taking any meds for this condition?

I look forward to hearing from you. Will you post again?

I have just been diagnosed with diastolic heart failure. I am 70 years old, female and have been having shortness of breath and coughing for quite some time. The shortness of breath for the past few years but increasing lately, thus the echocardiogram and diagnosis. I am absolutely terrified because it looks as if five years is the survival for about 50%, and after that it drops off sharply. I would love to hear from some female people with this condition. Thanks for any input

Hi Teresa and thanks for all the information! Yes, I have normal EF. I do have shortness of breath (past few years but markedly worse past several months - that's what sent me to cardiologist - for a long time I thought it was just age and out of shape but began regular walking about a year ago but breathing not only didn't get better but worse!) and persistent cough (also a few years - GP thought might just be post nasal drip...). I have a history of very mild mitral valve regurgitation, but not considered a problem. No swelling of ankles/legs but from what I'm reading, i think that is related to right side issues, and coughing is left. Question: it's my understanding (but believe me, this is all new to me and just starting research and NOT much out there for this condition!) that DD precedes DHF. That once you start symptoms like cough or shortness of breath it becomes DHF. It seems first two stages of DD don't necessarily produce "symptoms" other than what shows up on medical tests like Echo. ?? Thanks again!! I'm so glad I found this forum!

@tcokeefe I have moderate aortic regurgitation. Here is some information, which you may already have, regarding DD from Mayo Clinic's website. It speaks of DD with preserved ejection fraction. Here is the link,
https://www.mayoclinic.org/medical-professionals/cardiovascular-diseases/news/heart-failure-with-preserved-ejection-fraction-hfpef-more-than-diastolic-dysfunction/mac-20430055
I'm also glad that you found this forum. While Connect cannot diagnose problems or give medical advice, it is nice to post with others who have the same problems. As one of our mentors always says, "We are better together."

By the way, @tcokeefe, what medications are you currently taking for this heart condition?

I totally agree! And just not feeling so alone and that maybe odds are you CAN survive past 5 years! Thanks so much and I’ll take all the support and connections I can get!

Spironolactone 25 mg