Cardiomyopathy Prognosis

[calfan]

My previous question had some erroneous information.  My diagnosis is idiopathic (no underlying cause) noneschemic dilated cardiomyopathy.  Again, I am 53 years old with no symptoms.  My diagnosis was two years ago and my EF was 30%.  After one year of coreg, lisinopril, and spironilactin my EF went up to 45%.  One year late my EF has regressed to 38%.  My left ventricle has continued to increase for 6.1 cm two years ago to 6.8 cm one year ago to 7.7 cm today.  I exercise and do not smoke or drink alcohol.  I have two questions.  1) Is it normal for EF readings to fluctuate?  2) Is the ten year life expectancy indicated in a number of internet sites a reasonable expectation for me?

[kenkeith]

Genetics (family history) is the best indicator.  There are individuals who have an unhealthy lifestyle, poor diet, smoke, etc.and have an average or better life span with no cardio/vascular disease...we all no people like that!    But that is not say individuals with a predisposition for CAD, etc. cannot improve their odds for a longer, better life by following all the recommendations that statistics seem to indicate as healthy and avoid the unhealthy.

The 10 years quoted doesn't take into account that cardio/vascular disorders are unproportionally represented with older individuals, co-existing disorders, medicinal compliance, etc. as NTB states.

[NTB]

> 2) Is the ten year life expectancy indicated in a number of internet sites a reasonable expectation for me?

generally those expectancy figures portray an average. That'll include people who do everything right healthwise, as well as people who do everything wrong healthwise. Think of the famous bell curve, with the average in the middle. You can change certain things, like lifestyle and faithful compliance with the drug regimen, and shift yourself to the longer end of the survival curve.

Some things you can't change, like your age. But if you look at any particular studies which are giving survival statistics, you can compare yourself to the average age of those in the study. E.g. if they are 70 and you are 53, then you can probably expect to live longer than the average survival figure given in the study.

[sukumar794]

Well said..nobody can definitely predict life expectancy of a man with fearful heart ailments. Follow the golden rules of proven cardiac care guidelines..the rest is FATE.

[Encephalomalcia]

EF reading can fluctuate  If you take your medication as prescribed by your doctor, monitor your heart, and are on a strict diet (no salt, no processed foods, limited red meat, limited caffeine) you should have many years.  Nobody really knows when a heart will get worse, but on the other hand nobody, even people with healthy hearts, knows how long they will live.  Everyday is a gift.  Take care of body and your body will take care of you.