Linda's Story

Linda, heart failure patient

Linda served as a public affairs officer in the United States Air Force for nearly 30 years. She was accustomed to eating healthy and staying physically fit as it was more than a way of life, it was her job. As a result, when Linda became unusually tired and began to experience heart palpitations, she took it as a sign that she needed to exercise more.

However, instead of feeling better, Linda’s symptoms continued to worsen, and over a year’s time grew to include a number of near-fainting episodes. Due to her age and excellent medical history, Linda’s symptoms were first thought to be the result of drinking too much caffeine and repeated cold viruses. However, one month later, her symptoms became unbearable and her doctor agreed to run tests to rule out a heart problem.

Testing Reveals Heart Condition

Linda was given an echocardiogram (echo) to measure her heart’s ejection fraction (EF). EF is the percentage of blood pumped out of the heart during each heartbeat. Linda’s EF was 25 percent, indicating the need for immediate medical attention.

An EF of less than 40 percent may indicate a weakened heart muscle and means the heart is no longer pumping well enough to meet the body’s needs.

A chest x-ray also showed that Linda’s heart was enlarged. Additional testing led to a diagnosis of dilated cardiomyopathy, a serious condition in which the heart muscle becomes weakened and loses strength to pump blood throughout the body.

After learning she had dilated cardiomyopathy, Linda searched the Internet for information. She didn’t like what she discovered. At the time, it was estimated 50 percent of people with dilated cardiomyopathy wouldn’t live longer than five years following diagnosis.

“I thought, ‘This can’t be. I eat well, exercise, and I don’t smoke or drink. How can I have such a serious heart condition?’”

Linda is married and has three children. “I asked the doctor if I would be around to see my youngest son graduate from high school.” Her son was 13 at the time. The doctor’s response wasn’t very encouraging. “He said, ‘you should be.’”

Linda was scared but stayed strong for her family, sharing with her children that she had a heart condition, but that with medications she would be okay. Her husband, Wayne, who had done his own Internet search, wasn’t so convinced.

“He was very concerned.”

Linda was prescribed a variety of medications, and to her and Wayne’s relief, her symptoms began to improve immediately.

Despite the improvements, Linda found she lacked the energy required for her demanding position as Chief of Strategic Communications for the Air Force. She decided to retire.

Symptoms Return, Heart Device Recommended

In retirement, Linda was able to rest more. She continued to workout and go for walks twice a day. Linda and her husband decided to take up something new – ballroom dancing. Over the next few years, her EF began to drop. In late 2005, Linda’s heart began to enlarge again and she was tiring more easily. She shortened her walks from 45 minutes to 20 minutes and was no longer able to complete her weekly ballroom dance class.

Concerned Linda’s worsening condition could result in irregular heart rhythms and sudden cardiac arrest, her cardiologist recommended she receive a cardiac resynchronization therapy (CRT) with defibrillation heart device. The device may improve the heart’s pumping ability, treat dangerously fast, slow, or irregular heart rates.

Linda agreed, and in February 2006 she received a Medtronic heart failure pacemaker with defibrillation.

Heart Device Reversing Symptoms

Since receiving her heart failure pacemaker with defibrillation, Linda is again able to make it through her weekly ballroom dance class and walks for 45 minutes twice a day.

“It’s a very good thing. I feel like I’ve bought myself a lot of extra time.”

Next: Laura's Story

This story reflects one person's experience. Not every person will receive the same results. Talk to your doctor about your treatment options.

Last updated: 22 Sep 2010