topic Re: Congestive Heart Failure Question in Wellness

Congestive Heart Failure Question

Rununculus — Sat, 04 Jan 2014 13:37:54 GMT

Hey folks, I would appreciate if anyone knows about congestive heart failure. A relative of mine had it, collapsed and actually flatlined. They brought him back and have him on machines to keep his heart function. He's been in ICU now three four days. He loves his family and has one son in the military and another still at home, 10 years old. He's been fighting like you know what. The fluid has dropped dramatically and oxygen is much improved. He's alert enough at times to answer complex questions and he recognizes visitors. (I'm out of state so have not seen him)

But the bad news...

They say he has only 20% of his heart working. He has stents in. The docs want to wean him off of the machines. They've told his wife they could lose him at any time and if he makes it his tolerance for activity will be very low. Can a person's heart come back once in this stage of deterioration? I really want to have hope but don't know if it's founded in fact. I've read some on-line but not with these specifics.

Re: Congestive Heart Failure Question

RedTop — Sat, 04 Jan 2014 16:59:46 GMT

When my husband survived the widow maker heart attack, I learned that damaged heart muscle will always be damaged heart muscle; it does not repair itself.

We lost a friend several years ago, who only had about 30% heart function after a serious MI. He "survived" a couple of years after that diagnosis, but was barely able to do more than get around inside his house.

If the heart muscle is as damaged as the doctors say, my expectations would be that once this patient is removed from the machines, his heart function will be too low to sustain itself, or keep his other organs functioning, and he will pass quickly. Prayers to your family that this situation is not as grim as it sounds.

Re: Congestive Heart Failure Question

Yardlie — Sat, 04 Jan 2014 17:07:15 GMT

This is a good question for the nurses. Sounds like he has more problems than congestive heart failure if he has stents put in. Congestive heart failure has to do with the pumping and fluid build-up because the heart is not pumping properly. Stents are put in due to blockages. My dad had CHF and lived for years with it.

Prayers for your relative and his family.

Re: Congestive Heart Failure Question

Perkup — Sat, 04 Jan 2014 17:18:19 GMT

A lot of us here on the board have had some experience with congestive heart failure. My dear Father in Law died from CHF, and my present husband has it in its beginnings. But even though I've had some experience, every case is different.

Please don't take any of our experiences as gospel in your relative's case. We would only want to give you the best information possible, but any of us could be wrong and misleading in this case. Talk with the doctors and/or nurses in charge of the patient, and hopefully you'll get the best possible information from them.

God bless your relative and please restore him to whatever degree is possible.

Re: Congestive Heart Failure Question

betteb — Sat, 04 Jan 2014 17:49:18 GMT

RedTop said " I learned that damaged heart muscle will always be damaged heart muscle; it does not repair itself."

This is true, beyond that is only guessing because each case is different.

Good luck and God bless

Re: Congestive Heart Failure Question

conlt — Sat, 04 Jan 2014 18:02:19 GMT

Well I am an RN and 20% of Heart Function is very low. It sounds like he has Heart Failure because of the damage to the arteries that feed the heart. Stents open these arteries but he must have very bad Coronary Artery Disease. The best that they can do for these patients is manage them with medications and diet. Most of these people will require limited activity around the home, as they get very short of breath and tired quickly. The diet has to be low sodium. Many of the elderly end up eating frozen dinners which have too much sodium in them plus there is hidden sodium in most things that we purchase. It is best, if he has a wife who can help him, to prepare fresh foods such as plain chicken with some spices other than salt instead of purchasing prepared frozen chicken or something like that. Many of these people live several years but unfortunately, many die too because the heart cannot sustain the body functions any more. Yes damage to the heart from heart attacks can cause heart failure. The affected part of the heart dies and does not come back. Sometimes another part of the heart can make up for the deficit or the damage might not be complete. If someone is having symptoms of a MI, call 911, don't hesitate. Sometimes prompt treatment can prevent the heart damage. My mother had a heart attack in 2003 and we go her right to the ER. She coded 3 times in the ER but they were able to use the clot busting medications on her and she survived with minimal heart damage. She is alive today and will be 88 this month. Everyone is different, but he will have to follow the medication and dietary instructions that they give him

Re: Congestive Heart Failure Question

151949 — Sat, 04 Jan 2014 20:48:27 GMT

have they discussed the possibility of a transplant?

Re: Congestive Heart Failure Question

ID2 — Sun, 05 Jan 2014 13:33:56 GMT

My dad lived quite successfully with CHF for about 7 years. Took lots of meds but kept it under control until he just got too old (90) and his body couldn't fight it anymore.

Re: Congestive Heart Failure Question

BLH — Sun, 05 Jan 2014 15:42:07 GMT

Congestive heart failure usually gets worse. Episodes usually happen more often and can be worse each time.

Re: Congestive Heart Failure Question

VaBelle35 — Sun, 05 Jan 2014 15:48:21 GMT

My dad was diagnosed with this in a pretty late stage in his late 70s. They put in a pacemaker and propped him up with lots of medication. He lived a good quality of life for many years this way until the meds could no longer help him and his heart just started to give out.

At 20% function, I would imagine his only hope would be a heart transplant, but if they aren't suggesting that, I suspct he doesn't qualify or wouldn't be a good candidate for some reason.

Re: Congestive Heart Failure Question

Moons in Leo — Mon, 06 Jan 2014 17:21:15 GMT

My cousin who just turned 68 had two or three heart attacks this past summer. I don't even think the doctors know quite how many.

Her heart was functioning at about 15%. They put stents in and that, coupled with medication, has gotten her heart function up to about 40%.

She has taken many medications over the years that can cause heart damage, she also smoked three packs a day and never ate properly.

As others have said, everyone is different. Hopefully your relative will be one of the lucky ones.

Re: Congestive Heart Failure Question

lolakimono — Tue, 07 Jan 2014 13:08:11 GMT

Run,

Just checking in to see if you have an update on your relative.

Re: Congestive Heart Failure Question

Rununculus — Tue, 07 Jan 2014 15:59:47 GMT

Hi, and thank you for all of your thoughtful responses and for your prayers for him and Lola for asking.

Doctors are saying his progress is stunning. He went off the respirator and heart machines over the weekend. He took three steps yesterday and is talking (weakly, but still). I did not realize, because we'd lost touch until a few years ago (found each other thru the internet), but he had open heart surgery 8 years ago and had an implanted defibrillator. The docs say he has too much damage to qualify for a transplant. I don't understand that, but trust that it makes sense to those who understand more about medicine and cardiology.

It seems clear he will be unable to work again but his family is thrilled to have him and hopefully he can improve enough to spend some good time at home with them. Thanks again for your concern.

Re: Congestive Heart Failure Question

151949 — Tue, 07 Jan 2014 16:02:45 GMT

Maybe he doesn't have good enough circulation to support a transplant.

Re: Congestive Heart Failure Question

olive59 — Wed, 08 Jan 2014 20:10:30 GMT

so glad he is doing better! my late husband died young due to CHF. The damage to his heart and lungs from chemo/radiation to treat hodgekins/lyphoma was too great to overcome. He was evaluated for a heart/lung transplant but didn't pass their qualifying tests. The damage was too extensive and they couldn't risk ""wasting"" a good heart on him. He passed away 10 years ago at the age of 40.

Re: Congestive Heart Failure Question

itsmetoo — Thu, 09 Jan 2014 08:31:02 GMT

My brother has heart failure and was at 20% function. It took a few years but with medication it went to 40%. He tires easily and gets short of breath at times, some days are better than others, but overall he is doing ok. Everyone is different and some people get more function back than others. I have another friend who lived years with it. Best wishes to your relative.

Re: Congestive Heart Failure Question

Rununculus — Thu, 09 Jan 2014 20:05:29 GMT

DoubleL, I'm so sorry for your loss. That is too young to lose someone.

My cousin's family posted a pic of him sitting up partway with a big grin on his face. It's so wonderful to see him come this far, unbelievably in just about 10 days. They've moved him from ICU to another care section of the hospital. He's got the heart of a fighter. I'm optimistic that with his mental strength and will to improve, we can have him around for some time... it's always God willing of course.

Re: Congestive Heart Failure Question

Marienkaefer2 — Fri, 10 Jan 2014 05:17:09 GMT

My grandfather had congestive heart failure at 95. His younger sister, my great-aunt, has it now at 90.

The doc told us that, no, you do not recover from this. But, if you follow doctor's instructions, you can manage it for awhile.

My grandfather did not follow instructions. He was always a very active man, and he kept trying to exert himself physically. He went out in a snowstorm and shoveled snow. He contracted pneumonia and that really accelerated the disease. He died about seven months after his diagnosis.

My great-aunt, on the other hand, is doing reasonably well, all things considered. She follows the protocol for taking care of herself physically.

So, for every person it's different, but if someone follows instructions, they can hopefully

Manage the disease and slow the progression.

Re: Congestive Heart Failure Question

Puzzle Piece — Fri, 10 Jan 2014 17:36:19 GMT

Every case/person is different as what we have inherited is unique from our parents genes. I have had CHF for 15 years. I watch what I eat and drink and I take the meds. Some light exercise is what I do. I live each day thankful for the hours I have been through - I've removed the toxic personalities from my life and I focus on good things. That is what works for me. I've been in IC and the cardiac unit around 7 times but that was at first when I didn't take the diagnosis seriously. I still believed I could bounce back like in my youth. I do what is expected and required of me now. I still have a nice quality of life. My share.

Re: Congestive Heart Failure Question

itsmetoo — Sat, 11 Jan 2014 09:00:32 GMT

On 1/10/2014 Love Roses said:
Every case/person is different as what we have inherited is unique from our parents genes. I have had CHF for 15 years. I watch what I eat and drink and I take the meds. Some light exercise is what I do. I live each day thankful for the hours I have been through - I've removed the toxic personalities from my life and I focus on good things. That is what works for me. I've been in IC and the cardiac unit around 7 times but that was at first when I didn't take the diagnosis seriously. I still believed I could bounce back like in my youth. I do what is expected and required of me now. I still have a nice quality of life. My share.

So glad you are doing well. Would you be willing to share what your EF was back then? Knowing what percent your heart function was might give hope to some of us for our loved ones.