Patients and Caregivers Forums

First time posting,, December 14th is my two year anniversary with the lvad, Balancing a positive mindset has been an on going issue,I'll be turning 48 in September I recently lost my younger brother who was 42, too a massive heart attack ,in July. The depression is Abit much I feel I'm losing what...

YouTube: Living with an lvad - Three Henry Ford patients patients share their stories

I was disappointed to hear from my doctor that right now I'm not a candidate for an LVAD. I didn't know until my doctor informed us that your heart has to be enlarged and you have to have a certain Ejection fraction in order to get an LVAD. Right now my heart isn't the size and my ejection fraction...

Hi all!! My name is Dick. I was just reminded that I joined this forum 15 days ago. Here is my story so far. I went to the hospital on the Tuesday before Thanksgiving to get the evaluations and approvals done. I was supposed to return the following week and have the LVAD installed if all went well...

If anyone would like to laugh, talk, cry, scream and just sat in silence. Plz feel free to reach out. You are not along. I have had my LVAD for almost 3 yrs….so I know a little something of what you may be going through. You are STRONGER than you know. 🤗🤗

I received a HeartMate III LVAD on 1/25/19. I have been home from the hospital for 5 days and I am using a Thoratec vest that was given to me at the hospital.I am ready to order mens clothing to accommodate my LVAD and would appreciate some advice. The batteries are now hanging on my side and the...

Hi- I am a new recipient for the Heartmate 3. My surgery was on May 3 of this year. My recovery has been a little rocky- but my medical team has really helped and I am now stable.. That said- I have really been having quite a bit of trouble with worrying about contracting Covid. I had my usual labs...

It’s been two years since my implant. I’ve got a 9 year old nephew that wants me to trick or treating! Depending on how quickly it gets dark here in Michigan tonight, I might be able to get on lvad zoom group. Don’t count it though! Candy Time!! Wahoo😝😝

Hi all! I am new to the LVAD caregiver community. My Father-in-law has his LVAD surgery this Wednesday. He is a BIG lover of the outdoors so I want to get him a fishing style vest to haul around his equipment in (his backup equipment will be in a bag). Can anyone with a HeartMate 3 tell me the...

The Electric Cranks are a group of LVAD recipients from across the North of England, all patients at Wythenshawe Hospital, Manchester. A number of us are awaiting a heart transplant. We had all been physically fit and active prior to developing severe heart conditions which required life-saving...

Hello, My husband and I are considering spending a month or so in the Ft. Myers/Naples, FL area. I'd be more comfortable if I knew of a hospital/cardiology group located in the area that I could contact in case there would be any type of emergency that could come up with my husband's Medtronic LVAD...

PLEASE EMAIL US DIRECTLY FOR INSTRUCTIONS at Hankpattyrichmond@sbcglobal.net. We have received and filled hundreds of requests for the LVAD vest instructions. We hope that you were able to make your vest and are enjoying its benefits. My name is Hank Richmond. I received my LVAD on Friday the 13th...

Something that I've been considering doing is getting a embroidered patch made so that my go bag is clearly marked as medical equipment. I feel that this is important since I actually use a LowePro Camera bag with padded compartments and dual shoulder straps for carrying my spare batteries...

Lets get to it. The worst thing that can happen to an LVAD user is a drive line infection. It can put you in the hospital many times over and cures with the various antibiotics may or may not work for you. It can lead to extra surgeries for debridement and in some cases make it worse. In my case I...

I want to thank everyone for looking and responding to my posts. It makes me feel better to know that I am not alone in this. Good news my husband is coming home today from the hospital, he was denied a rehab facility because he walked 160 ft. He is still very weak and I'm not gonna lie but I am...

I am planning on attending a college football game in a few weeks. Is it safe for me to allow security to use the wand in order to pass through the entrance gate? Is it safe for me to walk through the security detection portals? Certainly appreciate hearing from anyone familiar with this situation.

Hi everybody, I got this email this morning and I read there's a new device that is implanted including the batteries. I don't think I want to go through the surgery again,but I would like to find out if the batteries will be replaced with the ones that I have and are lighter than the ones I have...

I am 26, in fair condition, well enough to exercise and want to add jumping to my exercise program but the controller and two batteries aren't held stable well enough with anything I have. Does anyone have suggestions? Thanks

I have an Evaheart 2. I received my LVAD at Methodist Heart Hospital in San Antonio, TX, on Dec. 15, 2020. I would like to know if anyone else is using Amioderone for A Fib. I got my implant for CHF due to cardiomyopathy. My ejection fraction was <15. I would like to hear from anyone else with an...

We are participating in the 2022 Metro Chicago Heart Walk, with FOUR LVAD patients. Our team captain, Little Doug, is the youngest patient living at home with an LVAD in the United States. Diagnosed with dilated cardiomyopathy and acute heart failure, Little Doug received his LVAD on September 8...