Yesterday, I asked the blogging question
Today, I ask the blogging question
What is heart failure?
Please do not fail to take a moment to answer that question, in your own heart.
My heart tells me there are many definitions of heart failure. Indeed, I did not fail to find this definition of heart failure online:
Heart failure: Inability of the heart to keep up with the demands on it and, specifically, failure of the heart to pump blood with normal efficiency. When this occurs, the heart is unable to provide adequate blood flow to other organs such as the brain, liver and kidneys. Heart failure may be due to failure of the right or left or both ventricles. The signs and symptoms depend upon which side of the heart is failing. They can include shortness of breath (dyspnea), asthma due to the heart (cardiac asthma), pooling of blood (stasis) in the general body (systemic) circulation or in the liver’s (portal) circulation, swelling (edema), blueness or duskiness (cyanosis), and enlargement (hypertrophy) of the heart.
Until today, my heart has failed to tell you about this heart-felt exchange with one of my heart doctors, Dr. Estes, last week:
Dr. Estes: I think you’re in Class 2 heart failure.
Me: I don’t believe you. Maybe Class 1. MAYBE.
Dr. Estes: Well, there’s a grey area between Class 1 and Class 2.
Are you surprised at my heart’s failure to
- report about that conversation before today or
- accept Dr. Estes’s opinion?
My heart has such an unusual structure that nine out of ten doctors fail to agree about its failures and its successes. And I find that thinking in terms of failure — for my heart or for anything else — does not help me survive or succeed.
My heart will not fail to provide you with a definition of Class 1 and Class 2 heart failure, here and now:
Class I
No limitation of physical activity. Ordinary physical activity does not cause undue fatigue, palpitation (feeling heart beats), or dyspnea (shortness of breath).
Class II
(Mild)Slight limitation of physical activity. Comfortable at rest, but ordinary physical activity results in fatigue, palpitation, or dyspnea.
Again, my heart expresses this: I believe my heart is not failing me. I feel comfortable during all ordinary physical activities, except climbing stairs. And, I have no swelling, blueness, or duskiness, EVER. I do have some enlargement of the upper part of my heart, because of my leaky valve.
Also, I have an amazing team of heart doctors, committed to helping my heart not fail.
My heart will not fail to express this, either:
I think the term “heart failure” is a failure of the heart because it is WAY too frightening. My heart-felt suggestion: stop using “heart failure,” replacing it with a more heart-successful term, like “heart struggle.”
Do you see any heart struggles in my heart-felt pictures from yesterday?
Please do not fail to express what is in your heart, below.
Heart-felt and successful thanks to all who helped me create this heart-struggling post and to you — of course! — for not failing to read it.
A heartfelt post, lovely and full of deep breathing. Stay well Ann.
Thank you for this lovely and heartfelt comment, Miriam.
My brother had a heart that struggled for years. He used it to love too deep and to live without care. In the end it had enough and it was time for a new one. He opted out of that choice and just moved along as if his struggle didn’t exist until it stopped. His heart didn’t “fail” it lived a good life. Ignorance is truly blissful.
Thanks for sharing from the heart about your beloved brother. <3
Thanks for giving me the opportunity to think about him yesterday. It’s weird how a just a few words can hit you like a wave. That’s what this post did for me.
“The most fearless hearts, the audacious dreamers, have always maintained a sense of optimism that often flies in the face of the available evidence.” Martin O’Malley
XX Sally
Love and thanks from my heart to yours, Sally.
I’d stay with the term “heart struggle”. That sounds a lot better to me. đź’–
Our hearts are similar that way, Van!
Good information and heartfelt. I prefer to call it heart struggle. I hope you stay well, Ann. Have a lovely day.
Thank you for this lovely and heartfelt comment!
You are welcome.
My chronic heart failure has become stage 3 heart failure. Heart failure is too final – I say my heart beats inefficiently for my physical needs
Our hearts beat as one, Vicki. Heartfelt thanks for visiting here today and sharing what’s in your heart. <3
My heart tells me you know what your heart is doing. I say your heart is excelling. Have a heart-excelling day my friend!!!
As usual, my heart excels after a visit from you, SD!
I hate the word “failure.” As Vicki pointed out, it seems too final, almost as if the battle is futile somehow. Struggle sounds more appropriate. I just remind myself that, in the celestial words of Celine Dion, “My Heart Will Go On.”
I’m so glad you spoke from your heart here, Micki.
Nothin’ but, Darlin. You’re in my thoughts and prayers. XOXOX
At first I was terrified by the idea that you had any kind of heart failure. “Heart struggle” does sound much better, but I went to a thesaurus in search of potential alternatives and one that came up was “fracas”. I think it would be a relief to think of your heart in a Class 1 fracas. Or even Class 2.
Either way your heart has class.
Your heart has class, Chris.
FWIW, my grandmother had HF for the last 20 years of her life (68-88). She lived in Mexico City (~7500 ft. elevation) where oxygen is in short supply for everyone. She traveled on public transportation daily—she was a restless soul who reminded me of that song “ain’t nothing gonna slow me down…oh, no, oh no gotta keep on movin'””Not only did HF not slow her down, it was not what she ultimately died of, so I know that it is very possible to live with it. My brother also has it now, and has for several years, and is doing fine with it. I know your situation has its own very special and unique characteristics, but I waned to share some heart failure “success” stories.
It’s all worth a lot, Krystal. Many thanks for these success stories!
Today’s post has taken me by surprise. I’m not quite sure what I want to say. I have to think about it for a while. In the meantime, I’m sending a virtual hug your way.
I usually have to think about these things, too, Maureen. A virtual hug back at you.
Xxx ooo
?????–I’ll talk to you about this tomorrow Jan
Janet S. Woodruff RN, BSN Healthcare Associates BIDMC ________________________________________
Uh-oh. Am I in trouble?
Your heart is first class, Ann!
It takes one first-class heart to know another one, Emilie!
Having been rushed to the hospital for what may have been “heart failure,” I wholeheartedly agree that heart struggle is better. Their results were inconclusive as to if I had a heart attack or not. That’s why heart failure sounds too dramatic to me.
Our hearts are similar that way, Bradley.
I think you’re right about heart struggle. I have an aunt whose heart has not been failing for about 15 years. It is struggling a bit though. I think the turtle could be contemplating failure. I hope the best for your heart.
Your comments help my heart hope even more successfully.
I like the idea that our hearts are doing the best they can. Some struggle more than others and they need some help.
Thank you for this heart felt and touching post Ann. From my heart to yours đź’•
From my heart back to your heart, Val. Thank you for this touching comment. <3 <3 <3
I agree with swapping out failure for struggle- it sounds more positive, hopeful, failure has such a permanent feeling to it, such negativity. How about persevering heart? That’s my heartfelt 2 cents. <3
Love your heartfelt 2 cents with all my heart, Lisa. <3
I could never believe in your heart failing.
Thanks for believing in me, Colleen! <3
I would say hard working heart than any of these definitions. That refers to physical heart but your heart is going so well.
Your comments always go so well for me!
Was there something he was trying to tell you? It doesn’t sound like you have changed recently?!?
Dr. Estes always tends to be more conservative and concerned. I think he was trying to tell me he is looking out for me.
I also think there was some hope that my heart would respond better to last May’s surgery, Maria. <3 <3 <3 <3
You have a big heart, Ann
It takes one big heart to know another one, Derrick. <3
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Your heart may struggle, Ann, but it’s one of the most beautiful hearts I know.
My heart thanks you for your beautiful comments, Carol.
Your heart is too full of love and compassion to be a fail-ure.
.
It takes one to know one, Barbara! <3 <3
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