Angie’s heart failure recovery

After having a few “hypertensive crisis” episodes in February that landed me in the ER, (I had blood pressures that were consistently 200’s/100’s) I was referred to a cardiologist by my new PCP and put on beta blockers. Multiple dosage changes later a 2 week cardiac monitor was put on and a nuclear stress test with echocardiogram was performed. On June 2, 2025 David and I met with my cardiologist to go over the stress test and echocardiogram results. The whole appointment to me is kind of a daze now that I’ve had a day to try and process what we heard.

My heart is only working at about 30%. I'm being backed off of one of the blood pressure pills and put on Entresto for heart failure. The level of inflammation I have in my body from rheumatoid arthritis (or whatever autoimmune issue is happening) has affected my heart.

A cardiac MRI and sleep study have also now been ordered. Not sure how we are going to pay for all this as insurance only covers a percentage. The echo and stress test alone cost $36,000. I’m able to set up payment plans for what I can but most testing and therapies are wanting money upfront down on it at the time of service.

The doctor's exact words were, if I do nothing, I will die within a year. If I go through cardiac rehab, we can strengthen my heart, but the function would only go to around 75%. Damage has already been done, preventing my heart function from returning to the 90s or 100%.

I also now have to get into a new rheumatologist and begin treatment again for RA before any further damage is done to my other organs by all the inflammation and my immune system.

If the cardiac rehab isn't effective, I would need to have a defibrillator placed.

This was all a lot to take in. Unpacking a new house and attempting some type of my photography business has all taken a back seat

( if I'm able to even return to photography at all with a 75% heart function.)

My stress level, the doctor said, has to drop to zero immediately. Good luck with that while being the main caretaker of our 7 yo high-functioning autistic ADHD child . David may have to be taking some time off from work to help with Noah and us getting to all these appointments.

I’m not one to ask for help financially, but if you’re able to, we sure would appreciate it. If not, I ask for prayers for all of us to get through this. God knows our needs, and I have to believe they will be met. All funds will be used for medical co payments, gas and monthly bills. Most of you know David is an over the road truck driver and only home on Sunday / Monday’s. There isn’t a part time schedule he can go down to. If he has to take time off he misses the whole week since he runs out to Chino, CA and back twice a week