What is the life expectancy of someone with heart failure?
I recently found out that my grandmother has congestive heart failure. She is only 62 years old and has had a series of kidney, heart, and gall bladder problems. She is very short of breath, can’t eat much, and is having problems doing very basic things. The doctor told her that the life expectancy isn’t very long for her. How long would you say it would be until her time comes?
As some background, her family has always had huge medical problems. She has lived longer than anyone in the rest of her family. She has been at the brink of death numerous times, but been saved by the skin of her teeth.
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I can’t give you an answer. My dad went into Hospice care over 2 years ago with a life expectancy of weeks. They kicked him out of Hospice because he hasn’t died yet. I have known other people, that on hearing they are terminal don’t live out the day.
I guess it depends on how stubborn your grandmother is.
@WestRiverrat Well I must say, my grandmother is very stubborn. She eats very bad and she doesn’t drink water. She has never exercised in her life.
It really depends on at what point the heart failure is diagnosed and what it is that is causing the failure. It also depends on how well things respond to medications. It is too hard to predict without knowing all that. And I am betting most cardiologists wouldn’t do much more than tell you what you have already heard.
Here’s the drill.Your granny doesn’t sound like a cooperative patient, sadly.
Take your medications as directed. Carry a list of medications with you wherever you go.
Limit salt intake.
Do not smoke.
Stay active. For example, walk or ride a stationary bicycle. Your doctor can provide a safe and effective exercise plan for your degree of heart failure. DO NOT exercise on days that your weight has gone up from fluid retention or you are not feeling well.
Lose weight if you are overweight.
Get enough rest, including after exercise, eating, or other activities. This allows your heart to rest as well. Keep your feet elevated to decrease swelling. Source
Sorry to hear about your Granny. Sounds like she’s a fighter. The fight it seems is more important than any expectations on when. I don’t know.
I wish I knew for you.
Sorry to hear this.
I suspect it lasts until their heart fails.
sometimes this can go on for some time. it sounds great, life goes on and all that shit, but watching/waiting for it blows.
I just hope it goes off for you without much remorse.
Thanks to you all for your warm wishes. You have given me a little hope for my grandmother. I just hope it isn’t so complicated for her in the end.
My father was diagnosed about 5 years ago, he is 93. It really depends on the severity of her case
Congestive heart failure is a catch-all term for the heart not beating as forcefully as it should; as others have said, there are many different causes. One important piece of information is how forcefully the heart is actually beating for your grandmother (the medical term is ejection fraction). If the number isn’t too low, medications to remove excess fluid and increase muscle contractility can often help improve quality of life and may improve prognosis.
Good luck to you and your family.
I don’t know whether George Burns ever had a heart attack, but IIRC, he had heart bypass surgery when he was 74, and lived to be 100.
@Brian1946 Heart bypass is very different from congestive heart failure.
@KatetheGreat Sorry to hear this diagnosis. 62 is very young. :(. As the doctors on the thread have said it really depends on the specific case, how weak her heart is. In mild cases they can live many more years. It sounds like she already has some complications secondary to the heart problem, so that is troublesome. Hopefully some meds will help.
A lot depends on her kidneys. My father had cardio-pulmonary problems, but his kidneys started having problems, he was getting EPO shots every week. He started retaining fluids, which exacerbated the kidney problems, and the heart problems.
He was hospitalized after about a year and half of this, and was put on dialysis. But dialysis is really hard on the heart, because it forces the blood back into the system, with more pressure than the heart can handle. The doctors said they would work on the kidneys if his heart was stronger, and could work on his heart if his kidneys were working, but the combination, along with his poor lung capacity, essentially made him not eligible for any medical solutions.
He finally passed away about 5 weeks after he was hospitalized, when my mom transferred him to a convalescent hospital, and did not authorize further dialysis.
So your Grandma may have a year or two, but may not survive another trip to the hospital.
I am sorry to hear of her poor health, give her a hug and let her know she is loved. And take care of yourself.
My father wasn’t diagnosed with heart failure until his death. He had a heart attack in his sleep. He lived for 4 days on life support.
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