Patients and Caregivers Forums

Hello. I am new to this site. I had a week long work up in June to see if I was a candidate for a LVAD at this time. I was told that I am too healthy at this time and the surgery would be too risky. However, my cardiologist said they'd prefer to wait 2+ years to do the surgery, as my blood time is O...

I just got out of the hospital. Had my VAD placed almost 3 weeks ago. Can you guys share tips and hints on how to wear my VAD? I have a Heartware 2. Thank you

Dear LVAD community, Do you know anybody who has had had their LVAD removed due to improved heart function after the patient had an ischemic heart attack? I am not seeking medical advice, simply information. I am the caregiver to a Heartmate II patient located in Houston, Texas. My husband (the...

Five years today “June 25, 2013” I had my LVAD placed. It is a HeartWare and I have never had any problems at all. Very lucky on that point. Doctors that I have at the University of Washington Regional Heart Center are doing a wonderful job keeping me going. Hasn’t slowed me down much. Grew up on a...

LVAD Gear has designed a shirt and other accessories just for HeartWare LVADs. The shirt features a double locking controller pocket with a window and locking battery pockets. See the full line of LVAD Clothing including HeartWare and HeartMate specific backpacks, sleeping belts and a selection of...

Hi all, I got my LVAD(Heart mate lll) August or 2017. I’ve been in out of the hospital since 2014 after I turned 23. I’ve known about this site since my surgery, my doctors strongly urged me to join but I never did. I guess I’ve just always been afraid to join a support group. My mind would tell me...

Hi all! I am new to the community and have a few questions about international travel. My boyfriend (27yoa) had his LVAD implanted about 6 months ago. We just took our first trip from MSP to DC and had no problem with luggage at all (and we flew Spirit!). We took one wheeled carry-on and everything...

Hi- just figured out how to find & use this site. 2 questions 1-Anyone know what > 12 Means in both Peak & trough??? 2- open you up chest/ sternum Is there a less invasive operation? Thanks

In September, 2015. I had two (no pain) heart attacks, one while in the hospital. My cardiologist (he had put two stents in me some years earlier) told me that my left ventricle was in bad shape and that I might not live to the end of the year. This scared the hell out of me since I was my wife's...

Hi, I have had my Lvad for seven years. Recently I have developed fluid around the pump they removed one and 1/3 liters by aspiration however after a month it came back. I have had a surgery done at Tufts New England Medical Center in Boston but the procedure was not successful and two months later...

Hello to all of my LVAD brothers and sisters out there. Come the middle of this month I will have had my LVAD HM II for 5 years. Not a bad stinit considering 5 years ago I should have died. But my primary LVAD and Cardiac Hospital pulled me through with 3 months in the hospital, massive infections...

Hi- just figured out how to find & use this site. 2 questions 1-Anyone know what > 12 Means in both Peak & trough??? 2- open you up chest/ sternum Is there a less invasive operation? Thanks

HI, Has anyone on here, or someone you know, ever had an Impella device placed? It's claim is that it's the world's smallest heart pump. It takes over 50% or more of your heart function. I had one placed on 03/07/17. They left it in maybe 2-3 days. I was pretty out of it so I'm not sure how long it...

Medi-Materials has an undershirt called the Freedom Undervest. https://medi-materials.com/product/freedom-undervest/

I will soon complete 6 years since I received my Heartmate 2. When I was admitted at Mayo Clinic in PHX AZ I had a severe congestive heart failure. My ejection fraction was less than 10%. I had been sent by two other hospitals to Hospice care and given 90 days to live in February of 2012. I had lost...

Hi everyone who replied to my post. I would just like to say a big Thank you it has helped to know there are others out there that has similar problems. I would like to wish everyone a happy Christmas and all best wishes for the new year.

Life with an LVAD can be challenging, and loved ones in your life may not realize just how different your day-to-day activities look. From cleaning, inspecting, and changing the bandages on your exit wound to plugging in your LVAD equipment at night, life just looks a bit different after receiving...

Have my VAD for 7 weeks now, and all is well. Still very tired after a flight of steps. Have the model HM 3. It's weird having to carry a bag 24/7. Anyway, just saying hello. Benny.

I've had my device for 3 years and the past couple of months, the skin under the bandage and the foley anchor has started to itch, but I don't know from what. I don't know if it's the Tegraderm, the cloraprep which my doctor said to switch to alcohol to clean the area, or the skin prep solution. I...