Last year after admission to the QE in Birmingham (one of a subsequent few admissions) unable to breathe, literally gasping for breath, I was diagnosed with heart failure. It came as a horrible shock as I already had kidney failure for 6 years which is treated with thrice weekly haemodialysis . The fact is that once the kidneys stop working it affects other organs especially the heart. My symptoms were complicated by my not having enough fluid removed each session thus my lungs were impacted with fluid which now is removed diligently with no chance of build up.
My ejection fraction was 27% when last measured which is not brilliant at all but like Mandycakes I am not downcast, having medication that helps my heart to work less hard pumping blood around. I do feel very tired walking sometimes, but stop, then continue,..some days better than others.
I lso have pulsatile tinnitus in my left ear which allows me to hear my heartbeat when all is quiet, especially at night, and it's very disconcerting as every now and again my heart stops for a second then thuds and starts again. I've googled it and it's quite common and (hopefully) nothing to worry about, but I would rather not hear it at all
In June I had four stents inserted into my arteries after another emergency admission. I can't praise the surgeon and staff who came in on their day off, enough - it was a Sunday- to perform the procedure. I used to have very bad discomfort in my chest on exertion, all that has gone now thanks to this simple operation.
The term Heart Failure does sound ominous but with medication, lifestyle adjustments and a positive attitude, we can still live as good a life as is possible.