1. < Heart & Blood Health

Heart Failure - No Symptoms

Posted by poppy0344 @poppy0344, Feb 18, 2020

I was recently diagnosed with "NYHA class 1 heart failure with reduced ejection fraction". I had just completed an EKG and stress test. I am white maile and will be 76 next month. I take no medication. I walk a couple of miles 3 or 4 times per week. I am 5'7' and weigh 138 lbs. I don't smoke (quit 1967). I don't drink alcohol (quit about 10 years ago). I don't use caffeine (quit about 5 years ago). I hunt feral hogs once a week and walk 4-6 miles up and down hills. In most recent hunt 5.1 miles @ 0.9 mph, my max heart rate was 176 BPM. No symptoms at all. No symptoms at any time. I have been taking my blood pressure daily for several years. I have calibrated my blood pressure device with my doctors device. My blood pressure average is 123/80. It varies from 140/90 (very unusual) to 109/70 after exercise. My cardiologist recommended beta blockers. I declined since I have no symptoms. I will very much appreciate hearing any thoughts anyone may have. Thanks you.

Interested in more discussions like this? Go to the Heart & Blood Health Support Group.

poppy0344 | @poppy0344 | Feb 22, 2020
In reply to @danab "Well i want to add to this discussion that i don't think 37 is dangerously low...." + (show)
@danab

Well i want to add to this discussion that i don't think 37 is dangerously low. I was never considered low until under 30 which os the point im told they normally consider being in Congested Heart Failure. When i first started having problems with mine i was at 5% and a pacemaker with difibulator installed. I went home on Amiordione and Cardivolol. I lived that way for over 3 years living a normal life until my pacemaker had to shock me back one time. But my point being is mine never got better than 40-45 untill my Heart transplant 2 years ago. So at least for me i was at 37 for years without any major issues. My pacemaker only had to shock me because of arrythmias not heart failure. Just my history with Low ef.

Jump to this post

Thank you danab@danab, I really do appreciate hearing about your experience, it is very helpful. You certainly have managed your situation well through all the issues. Glad to hear your heart transplant went well. I will continue to investigate options and measure my blood pressure and oxygen saturation on a daily basis. I realize these are minimal tests but they are at least something. The data from this forum is very beneficial. Thanks again.

REPLY
penn1023 | @penn1023 | Mar 9, 2020

Did you have a Heart MRI and was there a scar from the supposed heart attack?

REPLY
poppy0344 | @poppy0344 | Mar 9, 2020

The only tests I have had are EKG and Stress test. I had one of each last year and this year. There was no mention of a scar.

REPLY
2 replies
penn1023 | @penn1023 | Mar 9, 2020
In reply to @poppy0344 "The only tests I have had are EKG and Stress test. I had one of each..." + (show)
@poppy0344

The only tests I have had are EKG and Stress test. I had one of each last year and this year. There was no mention of a scar.

Jump to this post

I think when there is a heart attack there is sometimes a scar and MRI would show it.

REPLY
Mentor
Teresa, Volunteer Mentor | @hopeful33250 | Mar 10, 2020
In reply to @poppy0344 "The only tests I have had are EKG and Stress test. I had one of each..." + (show)
@poppy0344

The only tests I have had are EKG and Stress test. I had one of each last year and this year. There was no mention of a scar.

Jump to this post

@poppy0344

It could be that @penn1023 is suggesting that a scar might only show up on an MRI. It would be a good question to ask your cardiologist, just to see if that is the case. I'm not familiar with heart MRIs. Have you had a CT scan of your heart? This would show any calcifications in the heart and you would also know what your calcium score is.

REPLY
poppy0344 | @poppy0344 | Mar 10, 2020

Thanks, I will check it out with the cardiologist.

REPLY
poppy0344 | @poppy0344 | Mar 10, 2020

Thanks penn1023, I will check it out with the cardiologist.

REPLY
View MoreView Less
Please sign in or register to post a reply.