30% Heart Function in 43 yr old male

[shinethedog]

My boyfriend is 43 yrs old, carries excess weight on his abdomen only, sweats easily, is hot at night, although cool to touch. These are things I have noticed.  He has informed me that he has had a heart attack in the past and has only 30% heart function.  He says it's no big deal.  I don't know where to get information about it from.  He wants to lose weight, and has decreased carbohydrates & sugar (and fat coincidentally). He has compromised his health in the past with smoking, drug addiction and alcoholism.  He is presently in recovery from all three of these addictions. My questions are: where can I get some facts?  what is the term called?  Is the sweating/temperature issue related? What can I do to support him as he does me with my diabetes.  We joke about dying young, but I would like to live to a healthy and ripeold age with him. Thankyou.

[Dr. Kokil Mathur]

Hi
Welcome to the MedHelp forum!
What you are probably talking about is an ejection fraction of 30%. I would suggest you get him to go for an immediate cardiac check up with cardiac enzymes, EKG and ECHO. An implantable cardiac debrillator (ICD) helps improve the heart function when ejection fraction is less than 35%. Ejection fraction is usually measured by echocardiography. Yes subjective errors are possible. However if in doubt other methods can be employed such as cardiac MRI, MUGA scan, ventriculography, and a CT scan. Of these ventriculography is the gold standard for ejection fraction calculation.
Sweating can be due to compromised hear function, adrenal gland problems, diabetes, thyroid problems etc. All these can compromise the heart function further. A heart patient should lose weight only under supervision and nothing should be tried on your own.
Cardiomyopathies are of several types. Both dilated cardiomyopathy and hypertrophic cardiomyopathy can be associated with conduction effects, though the defects are more in HCM. Coxsackie virus causes viral myocarditis, which can lead to dilated cardiomyopathy and heart failure.  In contrast to dilated cardiomyopathies, hypertrophic cardiomyopathies have a better prognosis. HCM can be both genetic and acquired. The acquired form is generally seen in elderly due to high blood pressure. At times like in DCM, the cause is not known. However there is always a strong genetic component. In patients with alcohol induced cardiomyopathy may improve dramatically and remain in remission simply by abstaining from alcohol. Other underlying treatable causes like diabetes etc yield a better prognosis.
Please consult a cardiologist and get a complete check up and proper treatment.
Hope this helps. Please let me know if there is any thing else and do keep me posted. Take care!

[gmachris518]

Nightsweats seem to be part of CHF(my doctor also calls it Cardio Myopathy)...and it doesn't always have to happen at night.  I sleep in front of a fan every night, that way, if I start the nightsweats, I just throw back the blankets and wait for it to pass. Of course most women learn the "fan" trick when they enter into menopause, which is where I learned it.

None of my doctors, and there are A LOT of them, seem concerned about the problems with nightsweats, as long it isnt' accompanied by pain in the jaw, left arm, chest or between my shoulder blades.  The pain is indicative of a heart attack and needs attention ASAP.

Since your boyfriend has done alcohol, drugs and cigarettes, his body might be trying to get rid of the toxins that have built up in his body over the years.  However, I've seen many people who are trying to give up alcohol go through terrible sweating, shaking, and being physically ill.  I can't imagine giving up everything at the same time....it has to be hard on his body.

I didn't have to give up anything, except food, and I've gone through all kinds of bouts with sweating, so who knows what causes it.

[shinethedog]

Thanks so much for that- I did ask for a repeat of term and it is Cardio Myopathy so theres something.  He is going to the doc next week.  Re: alcoholism- we both do 12 step programme- it is sooo worth it.

Thanks EVERYONE for ur replies :)

ShinetheDog

[neil_a]

Dear Girlfriend of shinethedog,

Re: "carries excess weight on his abdomen only, sweats easily, is hot at night, although cool to touch. These are things I have noticed."

I am very similar as you describe.............and make notations of things like this for his Primary Care Physician and Cardiologist.  I am 58 years of age - have had an Ejection Fraction of 10-15% since '03.  I have extra abdominal weight - "belly fat"  - and I especially need to work on this - because I am a type 2 diabetic.

Re: "He has informed me that he has had a heart attack in the past and has only 30% heart function."

I wish that he would give you/us more information - if you indeed want help.  Like what Meds is he on?  Does he have a Cardiologist?  What tests has he had - like an "Echo".  If you know about the sweats.................................You shoud absolutely know his Cardiac history.  He shouldn't be keeping things from you.

Re: "I don't know where to get information about it from."

You can get information - right here at WebMd and/or

For Heart Attack - see:  

Go to WebMd and in the search function box - put in Heart Attack

You will get results like this:

http://www.webmd.com/search/search_results/default.aspx?query=heart%20attack&sourceType=undefined

for heart failure see:

http://www.webmd.com/heart-disease/heart-failure/tc/heart-failure-treatment-overviewhttp://www.webmd.com/heart-disease/heart-failure/tc/heart-failure-treatment-overview

Do you know how to cut and paste?  If not - put cut and paste in a Google search.

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Re: "He wants to lose weight, and has decreased carbohydrates & sugar"

I benefit a lot from:

http://livinlavidalowcarb.com/

It's called: Livin La Vida Low Carb

And who knows - maybe there is help right here on WebMd or Medhelp.com

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Re: "He has compromised his health in the past with smoking, drug addiction and alcoholism."

I am a recovering Alcholic and recovering Smoker.  Smoking has almost killed me - 2 years ago.

Alcohol is what's killing me now.  I have Alcohol Cardiomyopathy.  Which is the cause of my heart failure.


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Re: "My questions are: where can I get some facts?  what is the term called?  Is the sweating/temperature issue related? What can I do to support him as he does me with my diabetes."

"What is the term called and where can I get some facts."

The term might be:  Congestive Heart Failure  and for facts - WebMd is a good place.

Any questions?????????????????? email me anytime.

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And finally:

Re: "What can I do to support him as he does me with my diabetes."

I have type 2 diabetes since '08

You can support him by doing the research as you are doing now and being his advocate for change - by what you learn.

You tell him for me - that if anyone can give up cigs and booze - after a lifetime - anyone can.................

But - I had to go through a near death experience with Pulmonary Edema - before I smartened up.

More importanty.  I do not have a significant other.  

He has miles over me - for the progress that he can make in life - for the fact - that - he has you.

Kind regards,

Neil

[gmachris518]

I believe the term you're looking for is Congestive Heart Failure.  However, it usually includes swelling from the abdomen to the feet, with occassional fluid in the lungs, making it hard to breathe.

It can be managed with Coreg, lasix, and a host of other BP meds, but it is usually chronic.

Your boyfriend can get along at 30% for years if he follows a heart friendly diet, gets as much exercise as he can handle, and takes the medication a doctor would prescribe.  Of course there are no guarantees, but none of us get a guarantee on how long we're going to live, ill or not.


I've been living with an EF of 15-20 % for about 3 years, and there are others, on this bulletin, who are living with 5% and have been for longer than myself.  

So, he needs to see a doctor, be tested again, get the meds, and do what the doctor tells him, and he just may do very well.

I hope the best for both of you.

[annette8]

And cut way back on salt...read labels, no fast food, even nice placesvuse too much salt. Not only healthier, but he will lose weight too.

[annette8]

See a Dr. and get started on treatment for Heart Failure...a clinic if necessary, meds are all generic and very necessary. Good luck. Annette

[LivingInHope]

I believe it would be said that he has chronic heart failure if it has been quite awhile since his heart attack.  Has he ever had cortisol testing for the weight around the middle?  We do suffer consquences for wrong choices we've made.  The most important thing is whether or not he's ready to meet his Maker if he should pass away.   Please see PM with some info about a way he might get improvement for his heart failure symptoms.