1. < Heart & Blood Health

Confused about Stiff Heart, Diastolic Heart Failure, or HFpEF?

Posted by Kanaaz Pereira, Connect Moderator @kanaazpereira, Jan 18, 2019

Nearly half of all patients with heart failure have a normal EF or ejection fraction. EF is a percentage of how much blood the left ventricle pumps out with each contraction. Why is that?

To get some answers, and with Valentine’s Day just around the corner (what better way to celebrate than by learning about your heart), we sat down with Mayo Clinic cardiologist and heart failure specialist, Dr. Farris Timimi. In this video, Dr. Timimi explains the phenomenon of heart failure with preserved ejection fraction or HFpEF.


Do you have heart failure with preserved ejection fraction (sometimes called Stiff Heart or Diastolic Heart Failure)? What limitations have you experienced with a HFpEF diagnosis? What has helped you?

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

Myak | @janet23 | Aug 1, 2022

I was diagnosed with HFpEF this year at Mayo. I also have AFib, hypoxia (low blood oxygen), and chronic kidney disease. All new diagnosis since 2020, possibly related to Covid.

I am getting better with these personal goals.

Diet - Healthy low carb diet with intermittent fasting. Lose 10 pounds. Extra body fat increases stress on the heart. I also take extra vitamins.

Dr. Barry Borlaug’s presentation on HFpEF was very helpful.


Exercise - Improve strength, endurance, and functional status. I see a local physical therapist and she incorporates balance training, diaphragm breathing, strength, and tips for aerobic activities. I pair my exercises to my daily routine and break them into small segments throughout the day. Medicare covers my visits for osteopenia, balance issues, and ankle pain.

Dr. Mark Haykowsky explains the importance of exercise in HFpEF.


Sleep - Get the right amount of sleep. I need a nap every afternoon. I am up early doing exercises and daily tasks, then a nap by 1 pm. Aerobic exercise for 1 hour at a lower heart rate.

The results are encouraging. I have reduced my dependence on oxygen and I hope to be off oxygen in the near future. I am stronger and I have greater endurance for activities I enjoy. My AFib episodes have decreased and so have my meds. I monitor my blood pressure, heart, ecg, and blood oxygen level. All my numbers are better with consistent focus on making small lifestyle changes.

I can’t take all the meds that have been suggested for me, like beta blockers, I have low blood pressure and sometimes my heart rate gets too low and I pass out. Talk to your doctor if the meds are making you feel worse. Keep home records.

I hope everyone can find the support they need to feel better and still enjoy life with heart failure.

REPLY
2 replies
lioness | @lioness | Aug 1, 2022

@janet23 Congratulations Janet for being so proactive I just finished exercise ready for 😴 That's the key to good health exercise

REPLY
tcokeefe | @tcokeefe | Aug 2, 2022
In reply to @janet23 "I was diagnosed with HFpEF this year at Mayo. I also have AFib, hypoxia (low blood..." + (show)
@janet23

I was diagnosed with HFpEF this year at Mayo. I also have AFib, hypoxia (low blood oxygen), and chronic kidney disease. All new diagnosis since 2020, possibly related to Covid.

I am getting better with these personal goals.

Diet - Healthy low carb diet with intermittent fasting. Lose 10 pounds. Extra body fat increases stress on the heart. I also take extra vitamins.

Dr. Barry Borlaug’s presentation on HFpEF was very helpful.


Exercise - Improve strength, endurance, and functional status. I see a local physical therapist and she incorporates balance training, diaphragm breathing, strength, and tips for aerobic activities. I pair my exercises to my daily routine and break them into small segments throughout the day. Medicare covers my visits for osteopenia, balance issues, and ankle pain.

Dr. Mark Haykowsky explains the importance of exercise in HFpEF.


Sleep - Get the right amount of sleep. I need a nap every afternoon. I am up early doing exercises and daily tasks, then a nap by 1 pm. Aerobic exercise for 1 hour at a lower heart rate.

The results are encouraging. I have reduced my dependence on oxygen and I hope to be off oxygen in the near future. I am stronger and I have greater endurance for activities I enjoy. My AFib episodes have decreased and so have my meds. I monitor my blood pressure, heart, ecg, and blood oxygen level. All my numbers are better with consistent focus on making small lifestyle changes.

I can’t take all the meds that have been suggested for me, like beta blockers, I have low blood pressure and sometimes my heart rate gets too low and I pass out. Talk to your doctor if the meds are making you feel worse. Keep home records.

I hope everyone can find the support they need to feel better and still enjoy life with heart failure.

Jump to this post

I admire your unbelievable organization and Will power! You could be a health coach for those of us with a heart failure! Really really admire you! Well done!

REPLY
samtakla | @samtakla | Apr 22, 2023

HFpEF and CO
is it always a low cardiac output state in HFpEF ?

REPLY
1 reply
Moderator
Colleen Young, Connect Director | @colleenyoung | Apr 22, 2023
In reply to @samtakla "HFpEF and CO is it always a low cardiac output state in HFpEF ?" + (show)
@samtakla

HFpEF and CO
is it always a low cardiac output state in HFpEF ?

Jump to this post

Welcome, Sam. I see you have questions about HFpEF. I moved your post to this existing discussion:
- Confused about Stiff Heart, Diastolic Heart Failure, or HFpEF?: https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/confused-about-stiff-heart-diastolic-heart-failure-or-hfpef/

I think you'll find the opening video helpful as well as the many responses. Is this a new cardiac issue for you?

REPLY
tcokeefe | @tcokeefe | Apr 23, 2023
In reply to @janet23 "I was diagnosed with HFpEF this year at Mayo. I also have AFib, hypoxia (low blood..." + (show)
@janet23

I was diagnosed with HFpEF this year at Mayo. I also have AFib, hypoxia (low blood oxygen), and chronic kidney disease. All new diagnosis since 2020, possibly related to Covid.

I am getting better with these personal goals.

Diet - Healthy low carb diet with intermittent fasting. Lose 10 pounds. Extra body fat increases stress on the heart. I also take extra vitamins.

Dr. Barry Borlaug’s presentation on HFpEF was very helpful.


Exercise - Improve strength, endurance, and functional status. I see a local physical therapist and she incorporates balance training, diaphragm breathing, strength, and tips for aerobic activities. I pair my exercises to my daily routine and break them into small segments throughout the day. Medicare covers my visits for osteopenia, balance issues, and ankle pain.

Dr. Mark Haykowsky explains the importance of exercise in HFpEF.


Sleep - Get the right amount of sleep. I need a nap every afternoon. I am up early doing exercises and daily tasks, then a nap by 1 pm. Aerobic exercise for 1 hour at a lower heart rate.

The results are encouraging. I have reduced my dependence on oxygen and I hope to be off oxygen in the near future. I am stronger and I have greater endurance for activities I enjoy. My AFib episodes have decreased and so have my meds. I monitor my blood pressure, heart, ecg, and blood oxygen level. All my numbers are better with consistent focus on making small lifestyle changes.

I can’t take all the meds that have been suggested for me, like beta blockers, I have low blood pressure and sometimes my heart rate gets too low and I pass out. Talk to your doctor if the meds are making you feel worse. Keep home records.

I hope everyone can find the support they need to feel better and still enjoy life with heart failure.

Jump to this post

Thank you for that incredibly great information and inserting those two videos! My husband and I are going to listen to both of them! Super helpful thank you thank you!

REPLY
1 reply
Myak | @janet23 | Apr 24, 2023
In reply to @tcokeefe "Thank you for that incredibly great information and inserting those two videos! My husband and I..." + (show)
@tcokeefe

Thank you for that incredibly great information and inserting those two videos! My husband and I are going to listen to both of them! Super helpful thank you thank you!

Jump to this post

I am glad to hear the information I shared has been helpful, and I will post an update soon with tips I have learned. I am now jogging indoors, 6 miles at a pace of 11-13 minute miles without oxygen! I never thought it was possible. I am not an athlete, just a 69 year old female with the desire to have a better quality of life while living with HFpEF, PH, arrhythmias, tricuspid valve regurgitation, chronic kidney disease, and ascending aortic aneurysm. I am grateful to all the clinicians and therapists who have helped me along this journey to improved health.

REPLY
12regina12 | @12regina12 | Jan 3 11:03am

Diagnosed with HFpEF and PH (Pulmonary Hypertension) in March, 2016 at Mayo in Rochester. Today's date is Jan 3, 2024
Major difficulty is fatigue and shortness of breath. I have now added water retention.
I am male born November 1942. Can you add ant encouragement... also I am taking anti depression med daily .
May gratitude fill your days. L.F.

REPLY
Myak | @janet23 | Jan 4 11:01pm

Hi @12regina12,

I'm sorry to hear you are having more symptoms.
Are you on home oxygen, a specific diet, or exercise program? Do you monitor your oxygen level and heart rate at home?

REPLY
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