Claire Toner

Hi, I’m Claire and I am the Treasurer for Heart Failure Warriors.

At the age of 39, towards the end of my pregnancy, I developed shortness of breath and increased swelling and fluid. All this was put down to ‘normal’ pregnancy symptoms. In August 2023, after returning home with my new baby girl, I woke up through the night with severe shortness of breath. In Antrim Area Hospital the following day, I was told I had Peripartum cardiomyopathy with Heart Failure. After an echo, my ejection fraction was just 18%. This was a massive shock and instead of being in a newborn bubble, I spent the next few weeks in the Royal Victoria Hospital.  I received great care during my time on Ward 5D. I lost 9lb weight in the first 4 days on diuretics- it was all excess fluid! Medications were slowly introduced to stabilise and strengthen my heart. I still take these medications daily.

Upon discharge from the hospital I had another echo and MRI 3 months later. With rest and medication, my EF increased to 45%. I was left under the care of the amazing Heart Failure Nursing Team. They were (and still are) on the end of the phone should I ever need their help or advice. 

Genetic testing was carried out as I have a few extended family members with heart conditions but no genetic cause was found. I continue to be treated as having Dilated Cardiomyopathy.

When I first recieved my diagnosis, I felt scared and alone. I couldn’t understand what the consultant was saying. Surely no one my age had heart failure? How wrong I was! Since searching social media and the internet for Heart failure, I found there were people of all ages living with conditions which have led to heart failure. Now that I am more knowledgeable about the condition, it doesn’t seem as frightening. I tried not to search the internet for answers but instead asked my Heart Failure Nurses. Medicine is constantly evolving and I know there are great advances in healthcare for people living with heart conditions. I have learned my limits and know what I can and cannot do. I have a great support network at home.

I found Heart Failure Warriors online and was grateful to have the opportunity to meet up with other patients living with Heart Failure. We get the chance to moan and complain to each other, as well as celebrate small achievements in health or fitness! We are all here to support each other.