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Heart Disease (Expert Forum)
What is 'end stage' Cardiomyopathy
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What is 'end stage' Cardiomyopathy
by Dan Price, Dec 16, 1999 12:00AM
My 74-year old father-in-law's chart shows that he has "end stage" cardiomyopathy. Exactly what does this mean? One doctor will say that his heart is strong, while another will say that he is pretty sick. How can your heart be strong when you have end-stage cardiomyopathy?
He has constant fatigue, substantial loss of appetite, and general "just doesn't feel well". He has lost about 35 lbs over the last 4 months (6' tall, now 120 lbs). However, he does eat and drinks about 4 or 5 of the high-calorie shakes (250 calories per). He is on blood thinners and has a defibrilator.
We are trying to decide whether or not assisted elder care is appropropriate, as his mind is fine, but his body is weak.
Any advice would be appreciated.
TIA--Dan Price
He has constant fatigue, substantial loss of appetite, and general "just doesn't feel well". He has lost about 35 lbs over the last 4 months (6' tall, now 120 lbs). However, he does eat and drinks about 4 or 5 of the high-calorie shakes (250 calories per). He is on blood thinners and has a defibrilator.
We are trying to decide whether or not assisted elder care is appropropriate, as his mind is fine, but his body is weak.
Any advice would be appreciated.
TIA--Dan Price
Doctor's Answer
by CCF CARDIO MD - DLB, Dec 16, 1999 12:00AM
End stage cardiomyopathy implies that the heart is extremely weak. At this stage, the prognosis is generally poor and life expectancy is very limited. He sounds like he is not doing well. Assisted care makes sense.
Member Comments (1)
by alyeskamom, Aug 10, 2008 11:05AM
A related discussion, answer to endstage cardiomyopathy question was started.
by guy723, Dec 18, 2008 06:46AM
A related discussion, end stage cardiomyopathy was started.
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