Impact of the diagnosis

How people responded to their diagnosis of heart failure varied. Most of those we talked to were affected as much by the kind of information passed on by doctors at the time of diagnosis as the diagnosis itself, and some felt despair when they realised the severity of their illness; one woman said she had cried and asked to go home. People were helped through a diagnosis if the doctor or nurse concerned reassured them by telling them what could be done to help.

Says that getting her diagnosis was traumatic.

Most people were shocked by discovering that they were seriously ill and couldn't take it all in immediately, for instance one woman said she felt very angry and thought 'why me?' but that the cardiologist gave her a plenty of time to ask questions. Some people said they felt stunned, startled and numb; others had thought about dying; the first thought several people had was “how long have I got?” One person was so shocked by the news that nothing could be done for him that his mind simply stopped and he couldn't think of anything to ask.

She felt angry at first when she got her diagnosis.

His first thoughts on getting his diagnosis were 'how long have I got?'

He was shocked and unprepared for his diagnosis of heart failure.

If people already understood something about their heart failure - for instance if they had had their tests explained to them or knew someone else who had heart problems - they responded with less fear. Several were able to ask doctors questions straightaway and had felt reassured that something could be done, and several determined to carry on with life as before. Several people found themselves thinking about the future security of their families, and one person said because he was concerned about his family he wanted to know his prognosis.

He felt shocked by his diagnosis at first but was reassured by his consultant.

After his diagnosis he felt concerned about his family.

The impact a diagnosis had on partners and children also varied, some families had tried to cover up their devastation by putting on a brave face. Sometimes close relatives started to worry about their own state of health. Children became anxious when they wanted to know things about the illness that their parent/s couldn't answer and several were keen to get a second medical opinion; for instance two women who spoke little English were sent by their children for private medical consultations, tests and treatment and. Families came together at times of crisis, but in the end it was usually the wife, husband or partner of the sick person who shouldered the responsibility for helping their spouse come to terms with heart failure (see 'What carers think').

His diagnosis upset his family and worried his twin brother.

Her children arranged for her to consult an Indian doctor who gave her a diagnosis she understood. (Video and audio clips in Punjabi, text in English.)

She did not understand her treatment or illness and her son arranged for her to have tests in America. (Video and audio clips in Punjabi, text in English.)

Last reviewed: February 2010.

Last updated: March 2010.