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Topic: I'm a bit confused DCM/Heart failure? (Read 312 times)
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sweetcheeks
Full Member
Posts: 100
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Hi all
After a recent appointment with my Cardiologist, I asked lots of questions much to his umphs groughs and big sighs.
I wanted to know about how big my heart was. I was told its not a big boggy heart, so I said Oh not so bad then. His reply was, yes it is, its very bad because of the function of it. I dont understand the difference between heart failure and cardiomyopathy. Aren't they the same thing? If its not 'boggy' does that mean in an affect the cardiomyopathy has gone away do you think? If it is heart failure why dont they just call it heart failure and not DCM? Would love to hear what you think.
Kind regards
Sweetcheeks x
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Diagnosed '02 PPDCM at age 23,AF,Thyrotoxicosis. meds- amiodrone,frusomide,nebivolol,rampril,spiraloctone,warfrin ef 20-25%
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lorna2355
Hero Member
Posts: 2974
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Hey Sweetcheeks,
I will try and explain best I can but bear in mind I am not an 'expert' just someone living with the condition.
Heart Failure is a term that basically just means the heart is not functioning as it should. Although I am mostly sympton free these days I will always have heart failure. There are different stages of heart failure and your treatment is based on where in the scale you come in.
In order to determine the best course of of therapy, physicians often assess the stage of heart failure according to the New York Heart Association (NYHA) functional classification system. This system relates symptoms to everyday activities and the patient's quality of life.
Class
Patient Symptoms
Class I (Mild)
No limitation of physical activity. Ordinary physical activity does not cause undue fatigue, palpitation, or dyspnea (shortness of breath).
Class II (Mild)
Slight limitation of physical activity. Comfortable at rest, but ordinary physical activity results in fatigue, palpitation, or dyspnea.
Class III (Moderate)
Marked limitation of physical activity. Comfortable at rest, but less than ordinary activity causes fatigue, palpitation, or dyspnea.
Class IV (Severe)
Unable to carry out any physical activity without discomfort. Symptoms of cardiac insufficiency at rest. If any physical activity is undertaken, discomfort is increased.
There are loads of people with loads of different conditions that have heart failure i.e. someone with blocked arteries. It is a widely used term and not unique to dcm.
Despite the way it sounds, heart failure does not mean that the heart suddenly stopped working or that you are about to die. Rather, heart failure is a common condition that usually develops slowly as the heart muscle weakens and needs to work harder to keep blood flowing through the body. Heart failure develops following injury to the heart such as the damage caused by a heart attack, long-term high blood pressure, or an abnormality of one of the heart valves. The weakened heart must work harder to keep up with the demands of the body, which is why people with heart failure often complain of feeling tired.
Heart failure is often not recognized until a more advanced stage of heart failure, commonly referred to as congestive heart failure, in which fluid may leak into the lungs, feet, legs, and in some cases the liver or abdominal cavity.
The DCM (in our case) is what caused the heart failure. DCM itself effects each and every one of us in a different way. We can have a wide range of symptoms and/ or practically none.
I hope this helps
Love'n'Stuff
Lorna xx
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diagnosed dcm 2006 had stage 4 heart failure. now have a crt-d fitted. on ramipril, spironolactone, furosemide and bisoprolol. just stopped digoxin and warfarin.
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JustJ
Hero Member
Posts: 721
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nothing more to add just wanted to say wel done Lorna!
J
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JustJ
Hero Member
Posts: 721
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Nah, you know the facts as well as i. Funny thing is everytime I see the class breakdown i keep hoping it will have changed so my class will be better LO, crazy huh?
J
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