I went to the doctor yesterday, having been under the weather for four days at that point, although actually having been a bit sub-par for several weeks. And this is what I learned: I am in an episode of acute systolic congestive heart failure.
Not the happiest of diagnoses, to be sure, but also not a dire one. Although both my grandmothers and my favorite aunt all died of congestive heart failure (CHF), they were quite a bit older than I am. And I’m expected to recover from this acute episode in a week or so. 🙂
I found out a few years ago, before I turned 60, that I have chronic CHF, after going through another acute episode like the one I’m in now. I was put on medication for it, which I took until I inexplicably stopped last year, wanting to decrease the amount of meds overall that I was takiing.
For some irrational reason (yes, an oxymoron!) I thought that I no longer needed meds for CHF.
Well, as it turns out, I do need ongoing meds for CHF. And now I’m actually on even more. Oh well. Needs must, at least sometimes! 🙂
Let Us Live Like We Mean It! 
Sorry to hear (read) this, Timi. I had a heart scare a couple of years ago with ectopic heartbeat but after loads of tests was told it was ‘normal’… ! I still get it, intermittently and it continues to worry me,though. Like yours, many of my family had heart disease. But I like your positive attitude. That in itself, should surely help?
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Thank you, Val. I do indeed have a positive attitude! At this point, my condition can be pretty well managed on proper meds, diet, exercise and rest. So I’m not too worried about it at all. I hope your own condition will not bother you too much! 🙂
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That’s one set of meds you definitely need to keep taking.
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You are so right!
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Who would know better about the body and what should go in it than a doctor who studied the art of medicine scientifically? I’m sorry to hear that it’s the heart. With me it’s arthritis in several places and my spine, making my ability to walk quite interesting.
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Oh Alan, I am sorry to hear of your own difficulties. And I actually share them–severe osteoarthritis pretty much everywhere, as well as spinal stenosis in my neck and lower back. Isn’t growing old a pain? But the alternative is NOT to be wished for! 🙂 I do send you thoughts and prayers for feeling as good as possible, as much as possible, and easy walking! I have a nice collection of multi-colored canes, btw. 🙂
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Oh, I forgot to mention spinal stenosis. Growing older is fine-tuning skills and learning new ones. You have my thoughts, too. Your condition is inside, more serious (inside is organs, outside, bones).
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I’m very grateful for my own good health, but my dad keeps a list of his meds in his wallet in case he’s unexpectedly admitted to hospital or has to go to A&E, as happened last month.
As we say over here, keep taking the tablets.
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I will this time! And I also keep a list of meds in my wallet–which reminds me, I need to add to that list…
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