longevity

  I have "a well defined cardiomyopathy with reduction in left ventricular function"
  I take monopril(10mg) and,my own idea, vitamin q10 supplement(30mg). I was first
  diagosed four years ago during routine physical. I do not and have not any
  symptoms. Contractions remain the same, but don't have figures available.
  What should be my expectations?

[CCF Cardio MD-SGM]

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Dear Robert,
Congestive heart failure(CHF) is a syndrome of shortness of breath, fluid accumulation, and decreased exercise tolerance that arises due to abnormalities in the heart's pumping function.  Idiopathic cardiomyopathy is a common cause of CHF.   In predicting survival, one must look at a variety of indicators of disease severity.   Most of these require hospital testing such as an echocardiogram or a right heart catheterization.   Lower ejection fraction, high filling pressures in the heart, worse physical symptoms, and lower exercise duration during formal testing are all negative prognostic indicators.  
The fact that you have no symptoms is encouraging, but I am unable to directly answer your question due to the absence of the other data.  In general persons with advance heart failure (with symptoms, on multiple medications)  have a seriously reduced life expectancy-- the degree of reduction again relating to the indicators I mentioned above.  However, medical treatment of this condition with ACE inhibitors such as monopril and beta-blockers such a Coreg(Carvedilol)  appears to have a significant positive impact on prognosis and survival.
Information provided in the Heart Forum is for general purposes only.  Specific diagnoses and therapies should be sought only from your physician.