Heart failure and enlarged heart

Sorry about your situation. Heart conditions are vey scary and depressing sometimes. To me, I am not a doctor, but you need to find a good cardiologist, go through some testing to obtain a baseline on your hearts condition, then start asking a lot of questions. I found out if you don't ask they will never tell you everything and you'll feel lost inside. Another word of advice and from experience, stay off the internet you will become more depressed. Everyone's situation is different. I can say from what I have read, diet, medication, surgery (if needed) and controlled excerise prescribed by your doctor can help improve heart disease. Good luck, wish you the best.

@mram7 Welcome to the line. Im also 38, advanced dilated cardiomyopathy. Diagnosed in 2013. I never would have thought i would become a heart "expert". YOU are in charge of YOUR healthcare. I have a binder i take to the er with copies of echo cardiogram, er visits, med list. Dr. Seem to treat you better. If your on warfrin check into getting an inr test kit to do labs at home.im also on spironalactone for water weight helps the shortness of breath. Its important to try and always be calm. Metoprolol, pravastatin, digoxen. And ive been taking entresto the last 6 months i think it is really helping. Right now im currently, slowly, seeking heart transplant, with the back up of a heart pump if i need it. Keep log of blood pressure, pulse, weight, oxygen levels. I get tired all the time, the days i try to push through it i usually end up getting angry at something stupid.
Stay connected strengthen your suport net and stay calm. You are NOT alone.

My husband is 42 and in heart failure. It went undiagnosed for several months until he ended up in the ER. He had blood work, Echo, the mention of cardiomyopathy, and even a hernia repair that they thought might be linked that wasn’t. He has recently been diagnosised with AL Amyloidosis. We got lucky that a doctor knew what he was looking for and helped us. This condition often goes undiagnosed until it is too late and involves other organ failure. It is very important to trust your instinct and listen to your body. Good luck.

Hi, My Name is Liz
my brother is thinking about getting a VAD. My family and my self would like to join in on a support group that is familiar with this device. I would love to hear some experiences and what to expect of this procedure. Thank you all for putting this together.

@poopadu217 Hi Liz its actually called a LVAD and here is a link to a discussion on that device. I personally did not have one but many pre Heart Transplant recipients had one while they waited and it sounded like a great option. One of the issues I know having had a Heart transplant is your in a weaker state and recovery takes longer. But those with a LVAD were able to regain their strength and be prepared for a great recovery after transplant.
https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/lvad-1/

You’re not alone in feeling confused and frustrated — many people with heart failure say the hardest part at first is not getting clear explanations.
Heart failure does not mean the heart has stopped. It means the heart isn’t pumping as efficiently as it should. An enlarged heart often develops because the heart has been working harder over time to compensate.
The symptoms you describe — chest pressure, heaviness, pain radiating to the neck/jaw/shoulders, and tingling or numbness in the left arm — are concerning and should always be taken seriously, even if initial ER tests were reassuring.

Regarding heart enzymes:

Troponin and other cardiac enzymes can be normal, mildly elevated, or fluctuate in people with heart failure without an active heart attack. Mild elevations can occur from:

✓Heart muscle strain
✓Enlarged heart
✓High blood pressure
✓Inflammation
✓Rapid heart rate
✓Heart failure itself
That may explain why the ER said things were “fine” (no acute heart attack), while your PCP later noted.

Common heart failure symptoms people report include:

✓Chest pressure or discomfort
✓Shortness of breath (especially with activity or lying flat)
✓Fatigue and weakness
✓Swelling in legs, ankles, or abdomen
✓Palpitations
✓Lightheadedness or tingling sensations

Treatment varies depending on the type and cause of heart failure but often includes:

ACE inhibitors, ARBs, or ARNI medications
✓Beta blockers
✓Diuretics (to remove excess fluid)
✓Mineralocorticoid receptor antagonists
✓Lifestyle changes (low sodium diet, fluid management, monitored activity)

At your age (38), it is especially important to identify the cause, which can include:

✓Viral myocarditis
✓Genetic cardiomyopathy
✓Uncontrolled high blood pressure
✓Valve disease
✓Prior infections or inflammation
✓Substance or medication effects
✓If you haven’t already, it’s reasonable to ask a cardiologist (if not already seeing one)
✓An echocardiogram (to assess pumping function and structure)
✓Clear explanation of ejection fraction
✓Clarification of whether your chest pain is ischemic, inflammatory, or pressure-related

You deserve clear answers. If something doesn’t make sense, keep asking until it does.

Your symptoms are real and important, even if ER tests didn’t show a heart attack.
Heart enzymes don’t only rise during heart attacks — heart failure itself can cause mild elevations.
ERs mainly rule out immediate life-threatening events, not long-term explanations.

Heart failure at 38 is uncommon but does happen, and many causes are treatable or manageable.
Feeling like doctors are giving you the “run around” is unfortunately common early on — cardiology follow-up is key.

Important:

*If chest pain becomes severe, crushing, or is associated with shortness of breath, sweating, nausea, or fainting — return to the ER immediately, even if you’ve been there before.*

Below are credible, authoritative sources with direct links that support some of the information given above.

Heart failure & enlarged heart
Mayo Clinic – Heart failure
https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/heart-failure/symptoms-causes/syc-20373142
Cleveland Clinic – Heart failure
https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases/17069-heart-failure
Enlarged heart (cardiomegaly)

Mayo Clinic – Enlarged heart
https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/enlarged-heart/symptoms-causes/syc-20355436
Cleveland Clinic – Cardiomegaly
https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases/21490-cardiomegaly
https://www.heart.org/en/health-topics/heart-attack/warning-signs-of-a-heart-attack
Cleveland Clinic – Chest pain
https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/symptoms/17643-chest-pain
Heart enzymes (troponin) and mild elevations
Cleveland Clinic – Troponin test
https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diagnostics/22770-troponin-test
https://www.acc.org/latest-in-cardiology/articles/2015/07/27/10/33/causes-of-non-acs-related-troponin-elevations
https://www.mayoclinic.org/tests-procedures/troponin-test/about/pac-20384815
https://www.heart.org/en/health-topics/heart-failure/what-is-heart-failure/symptoms-of-heart-failure
Mayo Clinic – Heart failure symptoms
https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/heart-failure/symptoms-causes/syc-20373142
There are additional references if needed.

@tommy901 Hi Tommy, Nice detailed explanation to Heart failure and Enlarged Heart. I might mention that if you are directing that response to a particular person in this thread you need to include his or her handle. Like mine is @danab it appears to me you were addressing the person who started this thread which was a while ago in 2018. I was actually responding to a woman named Liz about a LVAD her brother was getting. Just wanted to let you know how some of these threads work. Liz had responded in general to this thread but I helped her find the area she was looking for on LVAD's.