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Confused about Stiff Heart, Diastolic Heart Failure, or HFpEF?
Heart & Blood Health | Last Active: 4 hours ago | Replies (89)Comment receiving replies
I was also diagnosed with HFpEF a couple of years ago. I am a previously active 75 year old female who lives on a farm in southern Indiana and is not used to a sedate life which is what I am facing. I had a septal myectomy in 2020 for HOCM at Cleveland Clinic and thought that would take care of it and make me feel better. That is not the case. I am very exercise intolerant now and must pace myself. It agree that it is a very frustrating diagnosis. There are some new treatments in clinical reviews now for this but other than medications, there is no direct help. My cardiologist who is very experienced is also frustrated. Many treatments for reduced EF are available including helpful devices that are not available for HFpEF right now if one's EF is normal. I did cardiac rehab last winter after I had 3 stents and found their methodology of exercise for me did not work. It was a very strict program where everyone did the exact same program no matter what different heart conditions people had. I kept telling them the program made me dizzy and the nurse just kept saying "drink more water". Cardio exertion makes one feel poorly with HFpEF. I wish the cardio rehab folks can come up with a more appropriate way to exercise safely and be more flexible and creative. I take a lot of meds now but still feel poorly. I hope something can happen in the near future but with all the funding cuts for medical research, I am concerned many options will be put on the back burner.
Good luck to all who are dealing with this. We are in this together.
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Hi and thanks for sharing. It was a relief to hear you say “a couple of years ago “ even tho that isn’t the focus of your comments. I am 70 and also live on a farm (in NE Oregon)! I was diagnosed last month and feel shocked and confused. If I read information online I get very anxious. I’m told not to read it but it’s too late for that. I still don’t know the extent of my situation. I have a follow up appointment in a few weeks and have a LOT of questions! My EF is normal too and I also have exercise intolerance. Yes, very frustrating. It’s pretty rural here so I have to drive 2.5 hours to a cardiologist. If it wasn’t so far away I’d be insisting on a follow up in 2 weeks. But not the case. Sorry to hear the cardiac rehab didn’t work out. I have considered trying that. It’s only 1 hour away. I can easily do that. You mentioned an additional cardiac issue but I’m not familiar with it. Is that part of why you are on several meds? I was just put on Jardiance. And she doubled my B/P med. otherwise I’m just supposed to check daily B/P and weight until I see her again. I also feel like my stamina has fallen in the dumper. It’s hard just taking the dogs for a romp when I used to do it twice a day not that long ago. I read about some trials to make a dent in this condition. The researchers expressed frustration too that they’ve had little luck so far. I was glad to hear you say they’re making progress. Take care and keepep in touch. I am so interested in hearing how other people have done especially if they’ve had this for a long time. If you have any resources I’m sure there are folks here (including me) who would appreciate anything current. Take care and thanks again.