Thankful for this group

I am so thankful I found this group. Learning so much & it helps to know that there are others who are walking this path of a new normal. I am 59 was active & healthy until 2020.

I got my Boston Scientific CRT-D which I have named "Josie" (my grandmothers name she lived to be 91) on August 3, 2020. Never had any heart issues until March of this year.  After 2 negative COVID tests & 1 negative antibodies test, 4 months with a life vest, 4 months on meds & 4 months quarantined for everyone but my wonderful supportive husband.  My ejection fraction is at 20%. Some Drs say I had Covid others say no. Whatever I had the beginning of March jacked up my heart. 
 

1 Comments

Good luck with Josie

by Gemita - 2020-08-31 04:36:48

Your grandmother should take good care of you.  

It is always a mystery how some diseases strike without an identifiable cause.  Our bodies are so complex.  Could it have been Covid-19 coronavirus I wonder or another virus that has affected your heart.  Only time will tell.  We are barely scratching the surface understanding how Covid-19 may affect the human body.  

I expect your doctors have checked for other causes of heart failure like blocked arteries, hypertension, valve disease, arrhythmias for example?   Do you have any other conditions that might be making your symptoms worse like problems with your thyroid, kidneys or lungs, or perhaps you have diabetes, an untreated hidden infection or an inflammatory auto immune condition that needs treating?   When you feel stronger I would want to look at all these possibilities and learn as much as you can about your condition and how you can work effectively with your doctors to increase your chances for a favourable outcome.  It is usually a combination of treatments and/or fixing/improving some underlying conditions that will bring the most benefit.

I really hope Josie helps to increase your ejection fraction (EF) but please be patient because I believe it can take a while for your EF to improve following cardiac resynchronization therapy treatment.  I hope your doctors can help you and that with a combination of treatments they will be able to improve your EF and quality of life.  

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