Entresto. Would appreciate any discussion, pros, cons.

Thank you so much for your comments. I have researched the Entresto quite a bit and found both Neg. and Pos. about it which is not really surprising. I have started the paperwork with Novartis and feel I should go for it since by EF has declined so much in the past few months. I've found your words very encouraging. Thanks again.

My EF was at 48 while on carvedilol and lisinopril. I was switched to entresto in an effort to increase it. However, after one year my EF was down to 33. I guess this med doesn't work for everyone. I asked to be switched back and now my EF is moving back up. Also, I had 2 episodes of extremely low BP (80/60) while on the drug. Some doctors claim this is a "miracle" drug and maybe it is for some but not for me.

My EF came in at 47 when I was tested last year. At the time I was also experiencing AFIB. My doctor prescribed Entresto after that test. I dropped the lisinopril but stayed on the Carvedilol. Middle of this year I had an ablation which seemed to fix the AFIB and I also started an exercise program. Recently retested for the EF and it increased to 69. Have not revisited with my doctor yet so I don’t know what caused the improvement. My BP also decreased quite a bit, to the point that I needed to cut down my Carvedilol dose. The top number is now averaging 110 but the lower number is still running in the low to mid 50’s.
If this is still a topic here, I will post what I find out from my doctor next visit which is in 6 weeks.

@beebop
Great news!! Having a EF of 69 is great!!! Wouldn't it be great to know what caused it to get back to normal.

I am on Entresto and Carvedilol also. What I had was cardiomyopathy caused by a virus. I had cardiac catherization and was diagnozed with no cardiovascular disease but a LBB in LV caused from scar tissue.

My EF was going down and down and when I got to 30 and was referred to EP. It was at that point I went to Mayo Jacksonville for second opinion. At Mayo I had consultations with EP and HF. I changed to Mayo for my treatments and was put on Entresto and Carvedidol. I had some initial trouble with fatique, low pulse rate, and BP when put on Entresto and Carvedidol.

The ICD/Pacemaker fixed the low pulse rate as I am paced at 70 BPM. It had gone down into the 40s from medications. The BP also dropped to 90/60 but goes up and down with weight. My HF says if it goes below the 90/60 he would just have me not take the Entresto and Carvedidol at same time. Caveat here. That is for me specifically and not to imply that is what you should do as we are all different that is up to your doctors.

I also had an ablation back many years ago for PVCs problem in RV. It fixed the PVCs. But the LV still had PVCs and I was getting occassionaly tachacardia that my ICD/Pacemaker was shocking me back to normal rympthm.

So I ike many others wanted quick fixed but may EP did not want to do anohter ablation without trying medications first. The medication I was put on stopped the incidences of tachacardia and reduced my PVCs by about 75%.

I like your post and was inspired by your success. You should be very happy with your success. It is still a topic. So keep posting.

Thanks for sharing this. I got my doctor to OK my reducing my Carvedilol dose down from 12.5mg 2x day to one of 3mg and one of 6mg daily. The lower BP #’s are when I’ve been resting for a while and they do go up soon as I get some activity. Since I’m no longer getting weak or tired I’m not worrying about the lower numbers. Best Wishes for your progress.

Common side effects include: dizziness, fainting, light-headedness, cough, headache, diarrhoea, feeling sick, stomach pain, tiredness, weakness. Serious side effects include: swelling of the face, lips, tongue and/or throat and difficulty breathing and/or swallowing.

This medicine can reduce the risk of hospitalization for heart failure and cardiovascular death in adults with chronic heart failure.

All you gave to do is Google any med.

I've taken Entresto for the last 6 months with no real problems. My EF increased from 49 to 52% I've had a very stormy spell for the past 18 mos. due to unrelenting AF which medication didn't control. Short story is that months of fatique, shortness of breath etc. etc. resulted in an AVnode ablation. Without much improvement at all my pacemaker was upgraded to a CRT in July which seemed to improve my sx. along with the Entresto and discontinuing the Metoprolol. I now feel the best I have in many months, but am hoping for more improvement to be able to get back to a normal life. I am so grateful to my Mayo Cardiac team that has taken such good care of me and am looking forward to even better days. Best of luck to my fellow AF and Heart Failure friends. Happy Holidays!