bad heart, drinker, smoker

my husband had a heart attack and triple by-pass three years ago.in may he had an icd and pacemaker put in. he has lost 1/3 of his heart, all electric in top of heart, has sudden cardiac death syndrome, chf ,irregular heart rate.... his ef was below 30 when he had his implants put in. his doc disabled him. since then he has started drinking and smoking. i know this is because he is depressed. how long can he live with this behavior? do heart patients come out of this depression on their own? he is only 44. tell me how to help him please.

[ed34]

Not if he smokes. This will give high risk to his bypass grafts being damaged and more intervention will be required. This will add to the depression making a nasty cycle. He really needs to sit back and look at how healthy and long he wants his life to be. He needs to get exercising, stop smoking, eat healthily and the benefits he will feel should help reduce his depression. It is common for depression after heart surgery yes, and it does usually go over time, but what he doesn't need are further problems. Just a few decades ago he wouldn't have been able to have this second chance, he should take it by the horns and enjoy it. Doctors have a better understanding of depression now, they even know good councillors, so perhaps he should have a long chat with the Doctor. We can't totally blame him, I've had that depression, as have a lot of heart patients, and it's not easy to deal with. He just needs the right help and starting with the Doctor is the best thing.

[wife02]

thank you, i am trying to talk him into going to see someone.

[ChatterAlly]

It's all about atittude!  He needs an adjusted attitude, and if he can't do this on his own then he needs to see someone that can talk to him. He can turn a lot of his condition around.  Diet, exercise and lifestyle changes can do this.  He seems to have made some detrimental lifestyle changes that will only make his condition worse.  My heart and prayers go out to you!  Be strong and hold on for his sake. But at the same time, remember the hand he has been dealt.  It's not fair!  I've have said so many times "If I only knew then what I know now how much better I would be"  Take care, Ally

[jrbon]

My view is different,

This is far too dangerous, if it is because of  depression get a dr. that gave him good anti depressant pills.

Either his cardiologist or a psychiatrist ... there is NO time for talking and changes in attitude ..

But also consider that he might have decided to die .... and this is what he is trying to do.

Jesus

[wife02]

he has agreed to see the doc.we are going on friday, pray all goes well.