I never had any problems with my heart, nor has any heart problems ran in the family-- up until I was almost 22 yrs old, in August 1992. After dealing with stressful events in life, out of the blue, my heart just started racing and pounding. I went to the ER 4 or 5 times over a 2 month period (I had no dr back then), and each time, I was told I was too young to have a problem with my heart.
I lived with it for 18 months, and had gotten very sick. I was at the point, where I could not lay down to sleep (severe shortness of breath), my legs & feet swelled up tremendously, I just felt plain lousy. Finally, I decided to go back to the ER-- and I was told.. "we think its a problem with your heart". Well, I was so over-joyed they finally found out my heart was making me sick (like I had told them a year and a half before), that I had no idea how serious the problem/diag. was. I was diag. with CHF, cardiomyopathy & lung disease at age 23, in March 1994. I have never smoked one cigarette in my life, nor have I ever abused drugs or alcohol..
My Ejection Fraction was 10%in 1994. I had slowly improved over the years, and even started a serious exercise/diet regimine and lost 130 lbs.
In the early fall of 2001, I discovered I was pregnant. I consulted with a cardilogist, who did an echo (I hadnt had one since 94), which it showed my E.F. was 35-40%. However, the cardiologist suggested I abort the pregnancy, I just couldnt bring myself to do it. I thought I was doing well enough, and its been 8 yrs... that the pregnancy would go well.
In Feb2002, I started slowly becoming ill, although it was different than when I originally had CHF in 92-94. So, since the signs werent the same, I had wondered if it wasnt just 'usual' pregnancy cycles i was going thru.... with the fatigue, shortness of breath, sleeplessness etc. I did go to the ER in my local area 5-6 times, only to be sent home. Finally, in mid March 2002, I went to the more renound hospital, 90 miles away (Johns hopkins in baltimore md), thru the ER where I was immediately admitted, given an ECHO (and told my E.F. had returned to 10%), and would have to deliver the baby early, within 48 hrs. I was only at 27 weeks gestation. Theydidnt know if I would live or die thru/after the birth, or how the baby would be.
Here we are, exactly 3 weeks later, and the baby is doing absolutly EXCELLENT! He is breathing on his own with no extra help, no iv's and is doing well with his feedings. Although he only weighed 2 lbs, and was 14 in. long he couldnt be doing better for being a 3 month premature baby. (I had him on March 22, he wasnt due til June 21).
As for me, I was REALLY sick, and re-lapsed into CHF/pulmonary edema a week later. I was put on the respirator twice, for fluid overload, esp. since my lungs are weak as is. I spent a total of 17 days in the hospital, and am recovering slowly, but am doing much better. I did have my tubes tied, so I dont think I'll ever want to go thru that expereience again. Now-- I just hope I'm around long enough, at least to see my baby grow into adulthood.