life expextency average

i was recently diagnosed with caradiomyopathy and congestive heart failure, when i went to the emergency room i had arterial fib. for letting this condition go for so long i have week heart muscles. i am on three heart medications amiodarone, digoxin and carvedilol i am also on cumadin (coumadin). i know the cardiomyopathy is hereditary and my doctor says a lot of it can be controled by medicine now. what is the average life expectancy for cardiomyopathy and what should i be doing for my health. thank you jenny   i know you cant give me a date i just want to know the average i am 57


This discussion is related to Re: Idiopathic Dilated Cardiomyopathy.

[kenkeith]

I don't believe you can rule out a normal life span just based on your medical history, if the underlying cause can be controlled with medication  as well as living a heart healthy lifestyle that includes regular exercise, proper diet, etc.

I had an enlarged heart and heart failure going on 6 years, and today my heart is normal size and pumping blood/oxygen normally.

[grendslori]

I'm curious as to why you said the cardiomyopathy is hereditary? You gave the reason of letting A-Fib go without treatment as the cause of your cardiomyopathy and that means it is not hereditary. Usually Dilated Cardiomyopathies are cause by a virus, or can be caused by arrhythmia problems such as you described; Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathies have a tendency to be inherited, although sometimes can be sporatic. I would not rule out a long life expectancy; my daughter had a heart transplant 10 years ago, had three bouts of congestive heart failure (BNP almost 8000) with this transplant and she is now doing fine. That's with a transplanted heart! How you live your life is more of a determining factor in how long you live. If you are upbeat and positive, you can live a long time.

[ireneo]

I know several people with heart failure and the one thing they stress over and over is reducing your sodium intake. That's more than avoiding the salt shaker. It also means reading labels. You'd be shocked at how much sodium is in canned and boxed foods. I believe the goal is to keep sodium intake below 1500 mg. I think some go as low as 1200 a day. Increased sodium means increased fluid retention which is a real burden on the heart.

Have you talked with your doctor about lifestyle changes?

[becki1019]

Your life expectancy is up to you and only you. You can live to be 100 with your problems, but you need to follow dr. orders and live a healthy lifestyle. Wish you well.