What are the most challenging aspects of living with heart failure?
A heart failure diagnosis can bring on many challenges in a persons' personal, social, professional, and emotional life. We're here to make sure you don't feel alone.
What's been the hardest part of living with heart failure?
Some of our Facebook community members shared the following:
"Always being tired and not being able to do what I used to do"
"Miss being able to do things with my family and friends, miss walking my dog, and doing things outside"
"Not being able to go on walks with my wife anymore"
"The hardest thing about heart failure is that when you don't look like you're in distress people forget that you still have a disability"
" Always tired and short of breath. I have pulmonary hypertension as well"
"The extreme exhaustion and not being able to keep up with my 3 kids. I miss out on so much 😭😭😭😭"
"Lowest of the low energy, fatigue, inability to do much physical work since stamina and endurance is definitely low"
"Fatigue, lack of stamina, poor sleep, emotional and mental strain, lack of understanding from friends and family"
"Not having the strength to do things I used to do, but thankful to God that I am here after flat-lining twice"
"Not knowing what each day will bring"
"The constant tiredness and exhaustion, and can't fully recover"
"Fatigue, shortness of breath, poor sleep, emotional and mental strain, lack of understanding from friends and family. 3 grandkids wear me out just keeping them one night but my daughter doesn't understand that"
"Shortness of Breath. Taking Meds every 2 hrs"
That's just some of what our community had to say about the most challenging aspects of living with heart failure. What would you add to this list?
Being short of breath all the time! It limits your ability to do anything
Kimberly (Heart-Failure.net Team)
Tiredness,not being able to care for myself,shortness of breath,hospital visits because of swelling and as some say friend and family not understanding. How can I forget the inability to get around. I.e if store do not have motorized carti can’t go to that store
Have you discussed your concerns about repeated hospital visits due to swelling? This can be very dangerous and may be a sign that you need a different medication to keep fluid down.
I agree 100%
Kimberly (Heart-Failure.net Team)
Yes I am now on the third type of diabetic (not
t sure of spelling) only been on I think it’s called bumax for two weeks. Believe me when I say I have spoke about everything . I am even at the point of having chronic kidney disease almost at stage 4
Thank you for sharing. This must be so frustrating to deal with day after day. Please know we are here to support you the best we can and greatly admire your courage in sharing with us. Wishing you a peaceful day. - John M. (Heart-Failure.net Team)
Not being able to get my tummy tuck because I'm on blood thinners. 😀 😀 Seriously though, trying not to lose yourself in the diagnosis and remembering to appreciate life.
lol. I just went through the surgery process on xarelto. Every follow-up the surgeon keeps complaining about cardios prescribing blood thinners! It's funny - he understands the needs but hates it.
Great point on appreciating life. We get the opportunity to understand this and I know I try to celebrate all of my newfound "bonus days"
