Post Heart Failure Dementia and Cognitive Problems: Need Advice

got numbers from the med chart.

I Know that folks aren't MDs, but any thoughts re these numbers from the tests?

Troponin T HS - - - - Level of 24

Internet says that indicates heart muscle damage.

++++

ProBNP
At 1274

(above 300 is abnormal)

Seems to indicate congestive heart failure???

++++

Note: Would not ask if getting clear answers from the cardio doc.

Huge red tape problems going on.

Huge Red Tape Problems Getting Answers

Anyone else have these kind of experiences.

Wife released on Nov 2...

STILL DO NOT HAVE A DIAGNOSIS...

is this unusual?

I don't understand.

Is this because she got medical leave from work and how those forms were filled out?

Any experiences, advice appreciated.

Post Heart Failure Dementia and Cognitive Problems

- Wife had incident late Oct. Still don't have diagnosis

She has dementia now, huge memory problems and panic attacks as well.

Anyone else have experience with this?

Thanks.

Post Heart Failure Dementia and Cognitive Problems

- Wife had incident late Oct. Still don't have diagnosis

She has dementia now, huge memory problems and panic attacks as well.

Anyone else have experience with this?

Whether cardiac related or not?

found "Grounding exercise 5-4-3-2-1"

and that seems to help a bit

Looking for other things that might help.

@samcal9977zz, I so sorry that you are not getting answers about your wife's condition so that you can support her. It's clear that you are worried and just want to do the best for her.

I see that you started several discussions. I have merged the discussions into one topic here:
- Post Heart Failure Dementia and Cognitive Problems: Need Advice https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/wife-has-dementia-new-to-this-advice/

The discussion appears in both the Caregivers: Dementia and the Heart & Blood Health support groups. I did this so that members can answer you in one place and get a fuller picture of what is going on.

Can you help me understand a bit more? What was the incident that your wife had in October? Was it heart related? Did she experience cognitive issues before that incident?

@colleenyoung

Thanks so much for taking care of this, much appreciated!!

History is long and involved. I will try to give you highlights.

Late 70s, got wrong med. Penicillin family, she was/ is highly allergic.

Health crashed from that. Some permanent injury.

Some health problems all along.

10 years ago, same thing happened again, doc gave her wrong med. And in penicillin family.

Health crashed again, this time moving towards death.

Found heart valve problem (there is genetic history of this in the family).

Arterial Valve Stenosis. Open heart surgery in 2019 to replace valve.

Never fully recovered.

Some cognitive problems right before surgery. After surgery some cognitive problems, though I am only seeing this now, in hindsight.

(this is all a gist, really).

High level stress. Previously worked on Mid-East terrorism issues.

CERT team, Covid response team. Crisis team, Crisis PR. very high levels of stress.

High pressure at work.

Health slowly started crashing oh, say a few months ago.

Powerfully crashed in late October. Take to ER, admitted to hospital.

Has been under care of pulmonologist and cardiologist since 2019 surgery. CPAP, more.

Admit as cardiac admit.

Lots of red tape. Released from hospital Nov 2, still don't have official diagnosis or really a course of treatment.

Trying to figure out what is going on.

Powerful issues now. Dementia, panic attacks.

Posted a couple of the Med Chart numbers. Have had some suggestions that this indicates heart failure...but no confirmation from doctor.

On 5 meds now.

Doing the best we can.

@samcal9977zz
Wow - I'm so sorry you're experiencing so my issues. As for heart failure - I can elaborate a bit on my own husband's experience. He as CHF (Congestive Heart Failure) as well as ATTR-CM (often lumped in with CHF). He also has Alzheimer's. His ProBNP was over 3300, and when I read that normal is 300, I freaked! The correct doses of Entresto, Coreg, Lasix & Jardiance have brought it back under 1000. I don't think he ever fully grasped what these numbers meant. His cardiologist says that 300 is normal for healthy young people, and that 1000 is acceptable for a man aged 76.

When DH misplaces things like his wallet, it is sooooo stressful for him. We believe that is what is going to take him out eventually... it's that bad... and we look until it's found. Even if it goes into the night because he just will not settle down until it's found.

If you're just not getting answers from your doctors, are you in a position to get second opinions? Perhaps talking to the hospital social worker for other resources could be helpful. I would also suggest that you contact the Alzheimer's Association and ask to speak with a coordinator. They will call you back. You can explain what you're looking for and they will recommend some resources. It's amazing the subjects they can help with.

I hope you find or get some helpful answers soon. I would also recommend that you NOT consult Dr. Google for any of these conditions. It only shares and confuses people. Consult reputable sources - Mayo Clinc, Alz. Association, American Heart Association, Stanford, etc. Best of luck you and your dear wife - and thank her for her service - not sure if she was military, but it sounds like she was involved is some pretty intense operations.