Can I live for atleast 1 year?

[cecilea]

I had my first MI on 07/20/2010. I am 55 years old and I was jogging regularly. As I was taken to the ER 12 hours after symptoms, infarction of the anterior wall & septum had already evolved. My ejection fraction was 39%. My angio showed double vessel disease - LAD 100% & RCA 70% blockage. I had 2 stents, one for each artery on 07/28/2010. I am confined to my home not getting much sleep.   I had a consultation with my cardiologist yesterday. The ECHO shows " LV dilated. Lower 2/3 of septum thinned out & akinetic. Hypokinesia of anterior segment of LV & LV apex. Moderate LV dysfunction. EF – 37%". I was walking 3 miles a day from 08/10/2010 as per advice but now my cardiologist advises me to cut down walking & not to climb stairs as my heart function is worse than at discharge. My future is bleak and I think I’ve to start counting my days. Is there any hope for me to live atleast 1 year more?

[kenkeith]

Going on 7 years, I was admitted as an emergency for shortness of breath and fast heart rate 115 bpm at rest.  I was shocked to learn I had had a heart attack (silent) and my left ventricle was dilated and a weak heart was only able to pump 15% of blood received from the lungs.  Blood backed up into the lungs causing fluids to leak into the tissues (edema).  Symptoms were a dry cough, hyperventilating when lying down (felt like not able to get enough air).

Immediate tests were a blood test, chest x-ray and echo ("LEFT VENTRICULOGRAM;  Severely enlarged left ventricle with diffusely reduced contractility of the left ventricle with an estimated left ventricular ejection fraction of 15%.  There was also severe mitral regurgitation."

I had a completely blocked LAD (had collateral vessel bypass), 98% blockage of the RCA (stented), and 72% circumflex not treated. I was in ICU for several days to normalize the lung/system oxygen level.  

I had hypokinesis (heart wall movement impaired) and that caused the lower than normal EF.  You should be told that hypokinesis can be overcome with a good supply of blood to the deficit area because very often the heart cells are in hybernation (goolge for more info) and a good supply of blood can/will revitalized the heart cells.  

Akinetic heart cells may not be able to be revitalized but I question how an echo can make the determination the cells are dead and not stunned or hybernating (was there a biopsy?)...anyway the akinetic septum wall is the location (separates right and left side of the heart) and heart wall movement is not normally of any significance.  The anterior wall is slightly impaired (39% EF estimation).  That condition may be overcome.

You should be on medication that includes an ACE inhibitor (dilate vessels), beta blocker (coreg is recommended), probably drug for the heart to beat harder, etc.  Your doctor advises that you not exert your heart to any stress at the present time to give time for your heart to heal....takes several months.  You are relatively young and if there no other health issues you should recovery without any problems especially helpful is your history of jogging.

Hope this helps give you a perspective.  I know how you feel, and I am quite abit older than you, and I believed my time was limited.  The doctor was not much help to relieve any anxiety, and 6 years ago it took a heart forum and the help and knowledge from other members and my research on the subject to avoid negative thoughts and have a positive attitude to adjust to the reality. There is a very high probability you will overcome your medical condition.  Take care and thanks for sharing.  If you have any follow-up questions, you are welcome to respond.

[ChatterAlly]

Take charge of your life!  Do not take on an attitude that says "I give up"!  If I did I wouldn't be around today.  Fight and be strong. You can make changes and change your outlook. Never say your future is bleak. Continue your walking at a slower rate.  Eat healthy. Take your meds, and listen to what your doctor tells you.  Take care and keep us posted.  Many of us are fighting the battle daily.  Ally

[grendslori]

I can tell you that attitude plays a HUGE part in helping to keep you alive. My best friend was diagnosed with HIV (from a transfusion that went wrong). They gave her 18 months max to live. That was in 1984!! and she's still around, even traveling. She's had the full blown AIDS virus diagnosis at least 4 times that I know of. My daughter had severe heart disease, diagnosed at 6; we were told to take her home and let her enjoy what childhood she had left. We were told to spoil her. I'm glad I didn't. At 22 she recieved a new heart and just celebrated her anniversary of 11 years this past month. I wouldn't start counting your days quite yet. Get out of the house and start living your life. Staying confined will cause a severe depression which will not only make you miserable, it will shorten your life.