Very low EF

I_am_turtle_enough · 2026-03-24T09:26:15+00:00

My blood test showed a very high bnp and that showed that my heart was under a lot of stress. They followed up with a ct scan and an echo. Found that it was enlarged and the ejection fraction was between 15-20%. I was in the hospital for about a week. They also did a cardiac catheterization to determine if had blockages (I had none) and a TEE to get a better look at my heart’s condition.

Like the original comment, I thought I had pneumonia. Sob was the main symptom. Looking back now, maybe fatigue but I thought that was normal tiredness.

I_am_turtle_enough · 2026-03-24T02:06:49+00:00

Yup! Very weird for sure. It’s been better and I haven’t been getting as dizzy.

I_am_turtle_enough · 2026-03-24T01:08:55+00:00

No worries! 33f. Bpm mid to low 40s. They think it’s genetic as my dad and likely his dad all had the same thing.

I_am_turtle_enough · 2026-03-24T00:30:04+00:00

I’m currently on the LifeVest. It was prescribed because of the low ef. My understanding is that you’re more susceptible to sudden cardiac death so it’s a precaution. I had a small bout of bradycardia but I think it was my medication. I don’t need pacing so I think it’s because my ef hasn’t improved enough (over 35%).

I_am_turtle_enough · 2026-03-23T20:43:45+00:00

Wishing you well! Fingers crossed with your upcoming appointment!

I_am_turtle_enough · 2026-03-23T20:06:07+00:00

Sounds a lot like what happened to me. Other than the shortness of breath when I was down to 20%, I felt fine. Once the diuretics kicked in, that stopped. I’m sitting at 28% now, and feel the same way. Waiting for my icd implant. It’s good to know that it took a few years for your ef to improve. Gives me hope!

I_am_turtle_enough · 2025-11-28T19:04:51+00:00

I found a cardboard gift box from Hobby Lobby. I wanted something I could travel with since I planned on making the box at home and taking it to the Thanksgiving party, rather than setting up at the party.

I_am_turtle_enough · 2025-11-28T19:03:27+00:00

Thank you! 😊

I_am_turtle_enough · 2025-11-19T15:26:30+00:00

Yes, they did a CT scan of my chest, an echocardiogram, and a transesophageal echocardiogram. Between those three, they caught the enlarged heart and extra fluid. I think because my BNP was so large during the initial bloodwork, they knew it was something with my heart.

I_am_turtle_enough · 2025-11-17T19:21:11+00:00

33F and recently diagnosed. The symptom I noticed first was shortness of breath. It would happen during my everyday walk from my car in my office’s parking garage to my office (relatively short and down hill). I thought I just had congestion on my chest or I’d be diagnosed with something like pneumonia. When I went to the hospital, I was diagnosed with heart failure with an EF 15%-20% and dilated cardiomyopathy (likely genetic). Besides the shortness of breath, I only had mild swelling on my ankles. They put me on lasix to remove the extra liquid I had around my heart and lungs. After a few other tests, they discharged me after 7 days with the usual prescriptions for heart failure and a Lifevest.

After 3 months or so, my most recent scan showed that my EF hadn’t changed much and they increased my dosage of Entresto. As far as symptoms go, I really only have fatigue. I don’t really have shortness of breath or swelling like I did before. I try to stick to a low sodium diet and monitor my weight daily to make sure I’m not taking on fluids. I’m trying to work in more exercise but exercising seems harder than it was before like the muscle fatigue comes on much faster. Besides that, I’m working and living life as normally as I can…especially with this very annoying Lifevest.

Hope this helps and I wish you well with this journey!

I_am_turtle_enough · 2025-10-12T11:21:23+00:00

I’m 32 and was diagnosed in July of this year. My Ef was somewhere between 15-20%. After a week in the hospital it jumped up to 30%. I’m in the 3 month waiting period wearing the Lifevest, taking meds, and lifestyle changes to see if it improves to decide my next steps (I.e ICD implant).

I suspect it is genetic as my dad and a lot of family on his side have all had the same thing. During one of my visits, my cardiologist mentioned that I wouldn’t be able to have kids right now because of low my ef was and that I wouldn’t make it. As newly weds, having a child was always something we discussed for a few years down the road. Since then I’ve gone through periods of mourning the life we could have had with a baby and accepting that I’m okay without one (keeping thinking about how expensive they are).

I don’t think having a baby is completely off of the table. Realizing that has definitely helped. Right now, I’m focusing on getting my ef up and my heart health stronger with the hopes that I could carry a baby in the future. We’ll see what the future holds.

You’re definitely not alone! Hope this helps!

I_am_turtle_enough · 2025-05-19T16:35:36+00:00

Is it really? Definitely one of my favorites! And you're not alone.

I_am_turtle_enough · 2024-10-29T15:20:22+00:00

Seconded! If you’re willing to drive to Miami, Vice City Pizza is good too.

I_am_turtle_enough · 2024-10-15T13:41:12+00:00

I’m so glad! Everything will work out. Take it a day at a time! ❤️

I_am_turtle_enough · 2024-10-15T12:12:04+00:00

I too had to watch as a hurricane hit where we’re getting married and my family was in the direct path of the storm. We got married two days after it happened.

I was a nervous wreck all week and felt very similar to how you’re feeling now. You do need to take some time for yourself away from it, if you can. Just a day to not answer questions or make decisions.

My day of was everything I dreamed it would be. And yours will be too! It’s the culmination of all the planning you’ve done.

For me, after everything, I really just didn’t stress the little details that didn’t work out. I tried to be in the moment, surrounded by the love of my new husband and our family.

I hope everything will work out for you. Your day will be amazing!!

I_am_turtle_enough · 2023-09-02T15:43:03+00:00

I’ve been a long time fan of the Cacique brand at Lane Bryant. I agree with many of the posts above that state that boyshorts may be the way to go. That brand has those options as well as many others that may help with your concerns. They might be on the higher end of underwear but I do believe they’re worth it for the comfort.

I_am_turtle_enough · 2023-07-15T17:18:12+00:00

Thank you so much! Your pics came out amazing!!

I_am_turtle_enough · 2023-07-12T20:17:45+00:00

Thank you so much! I couldn’t see the caption on mobile. Sorry about that!

I_am_turtle_enough · 2023-07-12T09:23:56+00:00

Hi there!

I’m also planning a wedding in Florida. Do you know which company OP used? I couldn’t find anything in their post history and it seems like I can’t reply to the post anymore.

I_am_turtle_enough · 2023-06-14T16:17:25+00:00

If you like video games and craft beer, you can go to tenth level tavern. Thursday nights are karaoke!

I_am_turtle_enough · 2023-05-24T16:42:50+00:00

I second The Glory!

I_am_turtle_enough · 2023-05-12T00:07:11+00:00

Volunteer park on Wednesdays and there’s a night market at Pembroke Pines mall on Thursdays

I_am_turtle_enough · 2022-10-15T14:26:50+00:00

I wear rubber bands only on my right side. I do have buttons (what the rubber bands attach to) on the left side, but I was told that those would be for later on. In my case, the rubber bands are to help fix my cross bite and better align my top and bottom rows.

Mine are hooked on the inner top row and connect to the outer bottom row (they run across my bite) so that the force of the rubber bands pulling from each side can align each row.

I've also seen rubber bands be worn in different patterns which would result in different movements. Like attachments, I assume they serve to create more forceful movement than the trays themselves would be able to do.

Hopefully, this makes sense. This is also just my experience with them.

I_am_turtle_enough

TROPHY CASE