Life expectency with EF 25% and no defibrillator

This is the second time in 7 years that I've had cardiomyopathy.  The first time was viral related.  I started with EF of 25% and ended with 66%.  Had 4 very good years and now have it back.  My EF is 25%.  I was told that this was not normal to have it again.  I have been told that I could have sudden death with this.  They are trying medicine to see if it improves my EF.  After 6 months of trying medicine if not better they will put in a defribullator/pacemaker.  I am 49 years old.  How long can I expect to live?

[CCF HeartMD3]

bkem,

For a variety of reasons, one cannot predict with any accuracy life expectancy based simply on the ejection fraction seen on an echocardiogram. First, the ejection fraction can have considerably variability depending on many different things such as heart rate and volume status. Secondly, your functional status and comorbidities (diabetes, coronary artery disease, kidney function etc). are much more important in predicting outcomes.

With that said, there are many people with heart failure who live long productive lives with little to no impairment in the activity of daily living. Good luck and hope that medical therapy will be successful in keeping you active and healthy.

[ed34]

Is it viral again?

[bkem]

They don't know.  I haven't been sick in 8 months.  I don't take illegal drugs or even drink alcohol  more than 3 times a year.  I work in a factory in which I do a lot of walking.  All of sudden again I couldn't do what I normally do.  I recognized the symptoms from before.

bkem

[bkem]

I have had an echo, stress echo and Heart Cath that has said EF is 20-25%.  I have no blockage.  I have had extreme fatigue, have woken up gasping for air, and am presently wearing an event monitor that shows that I have ventricular trigeminy on the very first reading sent.  Swelling has been controlled with diuertics.  I take generic Toprol and Crestor to lower cholesterol.   I have been tested for sleep apnea and have had an night time oxygen study done.  I don't have results yet.  The past 5 days have been good.  I haven't felt like I'm walking in sand all day.  It has been 2 1/2 months since I've been diagnosed again.  I just don't know what to expect again.  Will I be better again for 4 years and will it hit me again????

bkem