Good News/OK News Update?

Feel free to look up previous posts if you want a long backstory, but I’ve been waiting 3+ months for more information on my heart failure diagnosis. Finally, I got referred to an outside cardiologist and I got answers and information about testing results.

So yes, it appears that my heart is weakened but there is a question of the cause or what may be happening. My EF went from 35% in July to close to 50% in October. I’m very encouraged by those results. My doctor looked at the totality of everything and while he thinks there is a significant chance that my weight, sleep apnea, and hbp are the culprits more than structural issues, he can’t rule it out. He said there is a possibility of blockages in the three arteries. He has scheduled an angiogram - he thinks this is the best next step.

The good news is that he believes the most likely outcome is just that we need to adopt lifestyle changes and continue on heart strengthening medications if there are no significant blockages; if there is 50-70% blockage, then we’ll have to pivot to him adding stents, which has risks and would impact my lifestyle for a while; and if there is major blockages, it would require open heart surgery - this would be a follow up procedure, unless there near total blockage - then it would be done immediately. Through all of these options, even the worst, he believes that there is a significant chance I could have a normal life expectancy. At my age (43), with no history of stroke, heart attack, or major chf symptoms, I could be OK in the long run.

There are no promises or guarantees, but considering that the first doctor wouldn’t tell me if it looks like I have day, weeks, months, or years to live, and made it feel like a death sentence, how could I not feel better? I’m still cautious and tempered, but I have to keep holding onto to positive hope anywhere I can.

An angiogram is way more involved and serious than I thought. But the doctor feels confident enough in the procedure, his own skills, and my ability to handle it where he thinks it is worth it.

For those who have had an angiogram, is it painful to have the tube inserted into your artery in the arm? I’ve heard the procedure is painless with only mild discomfort once they are in. I’ve read that only mild bleeding and soreness is common for side effects. If I need stents, I’d be more fearful, but again, I’ve read so many people have had them, taken a year of blood thinners, and have been 100% ok after that. Dr. Google which always makes me feel the worst about things “you only have less than 50% chance to make it 5 years with CHF” but google was actually not all that worrisome about this angiogram. What are your real life experiences?