caret icon Back to all discussions

Heart Failure

Hi everyone,
I'm new here and thought I'd introduce myself.
I'm from the UK and had a heart attack in August 2024, which came as a complete shock. Since then I've been diagnosed with reduced left ventricular function, with my ejection fraction sitting around 42–46%, and I also have a left bundle branch block.
I have Factor V Leiden, and I had a stroke after giving birth many years ago, so I've had a history of blood clots as well.
The thing I struggle with most is breathlessness and fatigue. Even everyday activities like walking, climbing stairs or doing jobs around the house can leave me short of breath and needing to stop. I also get dizzy at times and find it frustrating because I used to be much more active.
I'm taking my medications as prescribed and trying to stay positive, but I'm finding it difficult to know what is "normal" and what I should expect going forward. Some days are better than others.
I'd really appreciate hearing from anyone with a similar ejection fraction or heart attack history.
Has your breathlessness improved over time?
Has your ejection fraction increased with treatment?
How do you cope with the fatigue?
Have you managed to get back to a more normal life?
I'm looking forward to learning from others who understand what this is like. Thanks for reading.

  1. Hi ,
    Welcome to the Community!
    Thank you for taking the time to introduce yourself and share your story.
    Your questions/concerns about ejection fraction, breathlessness, and fatigue are quite common topics of discussion in this community. I'm hoping some of our community members will chime in here to share their experiences.
    In the meantime, I thought I'd share a few articles that may be helpful: https://heart-failure.net/living-with and https://heart-failure.net/living/battling-fatigue
    Always know this community is here for you. Reach out anytime.
    ~Doreen (Team Member)

Please read our rules before posting.