For Those Living with Cardiomyopathy and Heart Failure

@ejbb
Your glucose is not that high. Did you have it taken fasting or just regular blood test? Mine runs with not fasting from 85-105.

Echocardiograms to determine EF are subjective (per my HF Mayo Doctor). And yes mine is identical to yours with it bouncing around between those numbers.

I was told by my heart failure doctor the reason I am doing so well with my low EF is due to my exercising all my life. He said my body adapted to the low EF because being an exerciser and being fit.

Doesn't mean I am not affected by it. I can no longer run or jog and never now lift anything heavy. I don't think my stamina is anywhere close to what is was prior to HF (diagnosed in 2000).

When you get the light headedness and dizziness, is this when you get up from sitting or suddenly movements? If so, this is common with HF as heart cannot force the blood as quick as when normal EF. I have dizziness and light headiness too.

What my HF doctor advised was when getting up from sitting to do slowly not quick stands, etc. When I can remember to do it, it works. I included the remember as I don't always remember and get up quick to do something and yep dizziness.

I have learned when getting out of bed to sit on side and then do a little dance with my feet. That will bring your BP up and move blood up to brain. It works.

You are going to an outstanding medical facility in September. You should be feeling glad you are getting in as Mayo is sought out by many.

How is your BP? Have you taken it at home? If you don't have a BP monitor I suggest getting one. I use an automatic one and take mine at least 1-2 times a week. Bring to your doctors visits and have them do your BP on their machines and then do yours. Compare how accurate your is with doctors.

Your symptoms can be caused by low blood pressure. Your BP can be low all the time (means continued dizziness) or low when you are sitting, etc.

You need to check it when lying down, sitting and standing up. When I am at Mayo HF appointments the nurse takes mine that way (3 measurements). It runs about 100/60 because of medications. It can sometimes get to 90s over 50s.

So you can see BP is main source of my dizziness. That is why I was told to slowly let the body to deal with standing or moving real quickly.

Your stress and anxiety is not good (for anyone). However it usually reacts with rising your BP not lowering it. It is the flight or flight hormone that rising with anxiety and stress. That adrenaline rush can cause a lot of side affects.

I want to make sure I point out I am not a medical professional. What I posted above comes from my Mayo doctors and is for me specifically. But I hope my experience helps as have same symptoms and same EF.

@jc76 Oh, thank you so much for taking precious time to offer me such an informative reply! It is so helpful to me to know that others with low EF are having the same issues. I don't feel so alone and afraid and it is so encouraging to know that life has gone on for you despite being diagnosed in 2000! I was diagnosed December 2025 but am sure I had this long before. I thought it was my lungs because gradually I was getting more and more winded when I was walking with my neighbor (5 days a week for 2-1/2 miles until one day I almost passed out and she helped me home. Haven't walked since.) I am hoping to start Cardio Rehab so I can get some exercise in because I am so afraid to overdo it and pass out. I sure missing walking each morning with my neighbor and I know my heart needs the exercise but not sure how much it can handle at this point. I guess it must be my blood pressure that is causing such dizziness and strange feelings in my body. I take Entresto twice a day and only 12.5 mgs Metoprolol because when I took 25 mgs my dizziness was even worse. I tried adding Jardiance but forget that! Even worse. I do have a blood pressure cuff and take it several times a day. It varies so much depending on how I am feeling and whether I've eaten enough, etc. I do feel very blessed that I was accepted at Mayo Clinic. I am meeting with an Electrophysiologist for the first time. May I ask if you have an ICD, Pacemaker or combo? This is my next hurdle. Thank you, again, for your kind reply!