Left ventricular failure

Hello @abida, Sadly I have not been fit as a fiddle for a long time. I'm trying to live a better lifestyle and exercise more and can appreciate your concern about having guidance on exercise after heart failure. I've been on blood pressure meds for a long time for hypertension and my age (79) keeps me aware of my limitations on exercise.

Mayo Clinic has a Cardiac Rehabilitation Program that includes exercise physiologists if that might be an option for you -- https://www.mayoclinic.org/departments-centers/cardiac-rehabilitation-program/overview/ovc-20442302

Cleveland Clinic also has some good recommendations that may be helpful:
-- Heart Failure: Exercise and Activity: https://my.clevelandclinic.org/departments/heart/patient-education/recovery-care/heart-failure/exercise-activity

Did your care team or doctor provide any suggestions for exercises that may be helpful?

I’ve recently experienced my 3rd heart attack, triple bypass, and now left ventricle heart failure. Exercise has been very slow for me. Some shortness of breath and angina. I researched deconditioning on the Mayo website and a doctor recommended walking for 10minute intervals 3 times a day to start, which worked for me. I will walk at the mall or outside but don’t set goals. I wasn’t able to do treadmill due to lumbar and cervical issues. I just recognize that I am in a better place than I’ve been and thankful for that.

Hello @abida

I just read your post and also John's, @johnbishop, response. Has your cardiologist, who diagnosed LVF, provided you with a referral to a cardiac rehab facility at your local hospital? If not, you should definitely request a referral of this type.

Please remember that if your current medical team does not seem to be addressing your concerns, it is always your right to seek a second opinion.

Will you request a referral for cardiac rehab?

Thanks a lot john for the response but unfortunately in Pakistan there is hardly any concept of cardiac rehabilitation program but your suggestions are quite helpful I wii definitely connect with them online right now I have started to walk about for half an hour early in the morning and I am feeling better thanks again God Bless

Hi Teresa no there is no concept of cardiac rehabilitation the focus is just on procedures unfortunately but I am really grateful for the suggestion of a second opinion although being a doctor I did take the liberty to start my morning walk and it has helped me to get back on my feet slowly but surely thanks once again really appreciate it God Bless

Hello, again @abida,

I am glad that you are finding the walking helpful. I have diastolic dysfunction from a moderate leaking aortic valve and I also find gentle exercise to be very helpful. Because warm temperatures and humidity are a problem for me I tend to exercise at home using walking videos such as the "yes2next" videos available on Youtube.

You mentioned "procedures." Are there any planned procedures on the horizon for you?

Teresa I had 3 stents deployed together with angioplasty and my lipid profile was normal but I had suffered from gastritis before the whole episode and the sugar level also went shockingly high never had any sugar problem prior to that well it’s quite humid here also so like you I walk in the rooms of the house but early morning I can go out our dog also needs his walks both you I and others like us need a strong will power to tackle these health issues may God grant is the strength Amen

Yes, @abida, strong willpower, willingness to do research, and spiritual strength are all vital when we are tackling complex health issues!

Do you have follow-up procedures or lab tests scheduled for the future? What is your most difficult symptom?

Thanks Teresa yes I am following up everything all the tests and whatever is necessary right now I think that the most difficult symptom was the side effects of medicines concor and verrata both of them were finally discontinued by the cardiologist but every now and then I do suffer from mild fatigue but by Grace of God I am good

It sounds as if you are keeping track of everything, @abida. Fatigue is certainly something we all face when we have heart failure.

Are you still able to work?