Patients and Caregivers Forums

Hello everyone. I am just now beginning to discuss the option on an LVAD with my cardiologist. I have had Dilated Cardiomyopathy for 15 years. Life was a breeze, cruising along at 35% EF, up from 20% at dx. However, the last year has been tough. My EF is now back to 20% and I've been hospitalized...

Bivad anyone have them? Them?

Hi. I am new here. I received my Lvad on December 29, 2017 after 20 years with congestive heart failure. In early 2016 my heart started getting extremely worse. in 7 months I was hospitalised 8 times. After 5 days the drs said i was ready to go home. I have had no problems so far. My question is...

This is my first post. My husband has had his LVAD for five weeks now, and I want to share this web site with you all for making your life easier with a LVAD. My husband is so grateful to discover how this shirt gave him freedom to do daily life activities. Take a peek and see if it is something you...

The most favorite Lvad t-shirt now available on black friday https://www.facebook.com/LVADshirt/posts/1973147372701194

Hi, my name is phil lay and I've been the care giver for a grouchy old man since he received his first lvad (he's on his third one now). I've been fired several times, mind you I've never been hired or paid. I do it outta love for the old fart. So here's my question: he's in Sutter again, and this...

My husband was diagnosed with CHF in 2014. In 2017 he had a stroke and his heart enlarged and as time went on, his heart health declined a lot. Last week, while I was pumping gas, my husband, son (5 yrs) and daughter (2yrs) were in the car and my husbands ICD fired. HIs ICD fired a total of 54 in 40...

hi, I’ve had my lvad for 8months, had the surgery in Canada, then I’ve recently moved back to the u.k. I’ve not really met anyone with the lvad, it would be nice to swap stories, tips and chat about living with the device would be nice.

Has anyone used a NMES unit for foot drop on a person with an HVAD in place?

Hi Everyone, I am a RN Care Advisor that does case management for some patients with LVADs and I am trying to learn if anyone started having an increase in fatigue and SOB around year 4-5 with the LVAD and if there were any discussions/treatments/medications etc that improved it? Thanks again and I...

My husband got his lvad December 22nd, 2018 and he is getting discouraged as he feels he isn't making much progress. Feels like he takes one step forward and two back. Any ideas on how to encourage him.

Two years ago my husband who suffers from congestive heart failure was tested to be put on a heart transplant list. He was deemed to healthy. Now we are facing the same testing. I can live with the thought of him receiving a heart transplant. He feels fine right now. No shortness of breath, he golfs...

Hello, My name is Meghan and my boyfriend, Chris, recently received a HeartMate 3 on December 27th. I am 25 years old and my boyfriend is only 30. He was diagnosed with dilated cardiomyopathy on Halloween, so this process came very quickly for us. Chris has been medically sedated since December 14th...

I am preparing for my LVAD surgery next month. Other than clothing, what types of supplies will I likely need to purchase for myself (not covered by insurance)? Are there additional products that people have made your life with a VAD easier that were not mentioned by your medical team?

Has anybody gone into a "Bridge to transplant " surgery, then after 3 years been told you've always been "Destination "?

Join us TONIGHT at 7pm EST for an interactive video support group designed for LVAD recipients and caregivers. Connect with others who are affected by LVADs, make some new friends, and discuss issues that are unique to the LVAD world. There are multiple ways that you can join the meeting. Choose one...

I am 49 and got my lvad in September 2017, I have been playing guitar since I was 10 . Now the problem is my electric guitar picks up the pump and transmits it through the amp to the point of not being able to play. I don't think there is going to be any solution to this but I thought I would throw...

Hi Everyone, Not sure if this is of help to anyone... I have been concerned about my HeartMate plug being accidentally pulled out of the wall socket. Not usually something to worry about. However, I have had another plug separated enough from the scocket to turn off a light when my cat jumped over...

I have an ICD as well as my LVAD. Can the two affect each other. I had three alarms on my control unit but I felt like I do before getting a shock. I am interested in knowing if anyone else is having this outcome ?

My journey began in December 2015. I had to have a pacemaker implanted. I thought that had solved my heart problem. Not until I arrived in GA did I eventually learn that I had chronic heart failure. I was sent to a Heart Failure Clinic in Atlanta. My cardiologist suggested that I get on the heart...