ejection factor and life expectancy

[Clovew1]

My hushand has been a diabetic for approximately 30 years. Recently he has suffered 3 bouts of congestive heart failure in one year. His ejection factor is 28%. What is his life expectancy? He is on many medications and uses oxygen daily. In the days 2 units and at nights he is 3- 4 units.

Vi.

[Bookreader1]

Hi. I was diagnosed with chef in May of 2009 during standard preoperative  echo cardigan in prep gall bladder surgery. Got a defibrillator instead. Here's where the story gets confusing for some. I also have Neuro problems that wipes random memories. So the cardiologist explained everything at the time but had a memory wipe. Been feeling fine since then until last month when my energy took a big drop. So I asked my Dr Monday why this would happen she responded we talked about all this when we put your defibrillator in. Well tell me again because I'm hearing it for the first time.  30 percent ejection rate since first diagnosed.  She told me then to quit smoking and lose weight. I'm 5'6 130 lbs and a non smoker58 year old female wo exercises. No other medical problems and I have no other problems that I have been reading about other than tired starting last month. No water retention at all or shortness of breath unless I overexposure. Dr told me that basically when I was first diagnosed in 5 years 39 percent of people were dead and after 10 years it was 95 percent of people. I have felt fine since 2008 until last month when I just all of a sudden I was just a lot briefer but no other symptoms. Y'all sound like you know what your talking about. Does anybody have any idea how my situation is going to play out. I'm very scared as I just found out the time table stats a few days ago. Before that I figured I was going to live until in was 80. I feel like a milk carton who just an expiration date stamped on it and I have 3 1/3 years at the most.  hELP I have no idea how to handle this

[Bookreader1]

Hi. I was diagnosed with chef in May of 2009 during standard preoperative  echo cardigan in prep gall bladder surgery. Got a defibrillator instead. Here's where the story gets confusing for some. I also have Neuro problems that wipes random memories. So the cardiologist explained everything at the time but had a memory wipe. Been feeling fine since then until last month when my energy took a big drop. So I asked my Dr Monday why this would happen she responded we talked about all this when we put your defibrillator in. Well tell me again because I'm hearing it for the first time.  30 percent ejection rate since first diagnosed.  She told me then to quit smoking and lose weight. I'm 5'6 130 lbs and a non smoker58 year old female wo exercises. No other medical problems and I have no other problems that I have been reading about other than tired starting last month. No water retention at all or shortness of breath unless I overexposure. Dr told me that basically when I was first diagnosed in 5 years 39 percent of people were dead and after 10 years it was 95 percent of people. I have felt fine since 2008 until last month when I just all of a sudden I was just a lot briefer but no other symptoms. Y'all sound like you know what your talking about. Does anybody have any idea how my situation is going to play out. I'm very scared as I just found out the time table stats a few days ago. Before that I figured I was going to live until in was 80. I feel like a milk carton who just an expiration date stamped on it and I have 3 1/3 years at the most.  hELP I have no idea how to handle this

[wallywds]

Hi, I am a 65 year old male who was diagnosed with CHF several years ago. My EF was around 5O then but had came down last winter to around 15-20. I had very low energy at that time. I had a CRT-D placed in February but my symptoms did not improve until further testing was done and it was determined that I was having frequent bouts with A FIB. Had a cardioversion done in May that seems to have solved the A Fib problem and was told by my doctor that the CRT-D could not have improved my heart while the A FIB was in play.  The EF is hasnow improved and is around 35. I am wondering if there may be further improvement as time passes assuming the AFIB does not come back into play?

[Pellum]

I have a pacemaker currently.  They aren't so bad.  I have a cough too that I guess you can develop when you have CHF.  Keep me posted on your findings.  I wish you the best.

[wilcfr]

Went into the hospital in April with an EF of 5% and a HR of 195. Was totally asymptomatic and would not have known I was sick if I hadn't had a FP appointment that day. He discovered the tachycardia and called my Cardiologist (I also have Afib). Stayed three days and left with a LifeVest and a bucket of new drugs. Was on Amiodarone, Digoxin, Lisinopril, ToprolXL and Spirolactone. I was already on Xarelto for the Afib. Three month later I am still wearing the vest and I'm off the Amio and have moved from Lisinopril to Lorastan because of the cough. My last echo in July showed my EF had improved to 30%. We are hoping by October I might improve enough to lose the vest. If not I will be looking at an ICD/pacemaker.

[khaef]

I had a similar experience and diagnosis, ending in the ER -- although my EF is closer to 30-35%. This happened in June 2016 to now.  I also ended up with a LifeVest which I'm still wearing-- into 4th month  My EP Cardiologist says next step is an ICD-- Before I agree, I want a second opinion, but overall want my EF to improve back to a normal measurement.  

[Pellum]

Gosh, no suggestions other than getting more than one opinion is always good.  When I was told no by Utah to a heart transplant, I got a second opinion from Cedar Sinai and the answer and reason was the same.  I would always get a second opinion.  I guess when one has CHF, we are always looking to others with the same thing as kind of support if you will.  I hope you will keep me posted.