enlarge heart and chf

[robdone]

hello im 31years old and i have enlarge heart and chf , the doctors told me that i will need heart transplant do to the fact that my heart is only pumping at 15% could i die from this if  my the % go down.

[Dr J Singh]

Hello,
If the heart is pumping only 15%,then it means that the heart is working only 15%.You need a bypass surgery as soon as possible so that more blood may be pumped and life expectancy increased.I fully agree with your cardiologist as any delays may lead to left ventricular hypertrophy,CHF and MI(myocardial infarction).

Hope it helps. Take care and pls do keep us posted on how you are doing.

[grendslori]

When you are considering transplantation, do not mistake 'a normal life' for a 'normal life span'. There is a huge difference. Many people live a faily good life for several years, some don't make it off the operating table. Transplants are not permanent and you would still be considered as having a terminal illness. It is a band-aid fix, all it does is give you more time. So many people do not understand this.

[Encephalomalcia]

Your heart pumping at 15% is not good at all.  How do you feel?  Are you extremely tired?  What happens when the heart does not pump like it should to all the organs that depend on the blood flow, the body can go into cardiac shock where all the organs would shut down including the lungs.  This would be an extreme emergency situation.  Cardiac shock can be treated, but has to be done aggressively during the first week.  Are you on a heart transplant list?  There is a heart pump that can be put in to keep the heart pumping while you wait for the heart.  Heart transplant would give you a chance at having a normal life and being able to do the things you want to do.  Friends of mine had their EF go down to 20% and it was emergency surgery to replace the valves at that point per their doctors.