Stage-Four Congestive Heart Failure

By Frank Clement

1 min read

So I was diagnosed in 2021 with a hidden heart attack, then stage-four congestive heart failure (CHF), then an autoimmune disorder attacked me. This caused my skin to be covered with fungus which makes me tired, and of course, I got COVID too. All of this along with an arrhythmia in April of this year that caused blood clots in my lungs. This created a new breathing problem and I am unable to tell these symptoms apart from the problems with my heart.

It is hard for me to tell if the energy loss I experience is from a heart issue or an autoimmune deficiency. I was told that if my outward appearance is being caused by things on the inside, then what do you think the inside is hurting? When my doctor said, "Thank God, you had the shots." I looked at him and said, "I didn't take them." He replied in shock, "Why aren't you dead?"

I looked up the stage-four CHF, and it says I should be in a nursing home. I still work, but at times, I think the work I try doing is tiresome. I have to stop or take a few rests when I work.

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Latoya Johnson Keelen, PhD Moderator & Contributor
<inline-mention username="Frank Clement" user-id="4749232"/> - I'm sorry to hear you're going through this. First, let me say, stage 4 HF does not mean you need to be in a nursing home. Recovery is even possible in some cases (speaking from personal experience here). There are some great interventions available depending on what else is going on inside. Arrythmia alone does not tend to cause blood clots. The blood clots, breathing problems, and fatigue are all most likely due to your heart failure, although I cannot say for certain because I'm not a physician and not looking at your medical records. Some autoimmune diseases may also play a role. Personally, I would focus on the heart issues first. Think of it like this, your heart has to get blood (including immune cells) throughout your body to supply it oxygen and other nutrients/defense molecules. This means that as long as your heart is not functioning properly, your other systems may not be either. The tricky thing in your situation is that your immune system may be attacking your heart, so you CANNOT ignore that possibility. If you're not already seeing them, you need an immunologist and an advanced heart failure cardiologist. With stage 4 heart failure, the cardiologist may recommend a ventricular assistance device and/or transplant. Don't be scared of either.
1. Frank Clement Member
 <inline-mention username="Latoya Johnson Keelen" user-id="3933592"/>
Frank Clement Member
Went to my original cardiologist this after noon and my outlook seems to look better. My doctor showed my action film of when they took a before and after action shot of the artery over my heart from April 22nd when I had the arithmia and I have to say the before shot didnt look good but the after shot when they placed the stent in at the junction that it was fully open. However I saw this and it really lifted my outlook but then he showed another artery and it looked just about closd up as the one they already placed the stent. Hope that one doesn't do the same but think it will. Now they came to the conclusion that by prescribing once again the Entresto. I was prescribed this back in April but when I was running ot I requested a refill but was told non would be refilled. This has been an issue for the CRNP who said she can't figure out why I was not getting it and said she would find out. Well my cardiologist isn't playing that game and just prescribed it saying it may even help avoid a pacemaker. We'll know in six weeks when I see him again.
1. John Bottrell, RRT Moderator & Contributor
 <inline-mention username="Frank Clement" user-id="4749232"/> Hi. Thank you for the update. So glad to hear you are feeling better about your outlook after your visit with your cardiologist. And glad to see your doctor was able to get you back on the medicine you need to help you avoid a pacemaker. Sounds like your cardiologist is doing all the best things for you and has you on a good treatment plan. Here's wishing you all the best moving forward. And please do keep us updated from time to time how things are going for you. John. <a href='https://heart-failure.net' target='_blank'>heart-failure.net</a> community moderator