Aa
Aa
A
A
A
Close
Avatar universal

15% heart function

My father was told his heart function went from 30% to 15%. He's having trouble breathing and he's on oxygen.  He's also retaining fluid. How long can he live with only 15% of his heart function?
5 Responses
Sort by: Helpful Oldest Newest
351246 tn?1379682132
MEDICAL PROFESSIONAL
Hi
Welcome to the MedHelp forum!
I am sorry to hear about your father. If he is retaining fluid then apart from heart function, kidney and liver function should be assessed. His blood sodium and albumin level too should be assessed. The prognosis worsens in presence of any other underlying problem  like diabetes and presence of kidney dysfunction. If the EF decreases further with time, it indicates a bad prognosis. If this value improves with time, it indicates a good prognosis. Hence this will have to be monitored from time to time. Discuss with the doctor about an adjustment in the medication your father is taking. This will reduce fluid retention and improve the cardiac output. Often a dose adjustment or addition of an additional beta blocker helps. However only your father’s treating cardiologist can tell whether this can be done or not. Hope this helps.
Helpful - 0
1192491 tn?1265031829
That is a question for your doc and the answer is in the good Lord.  I had ej down to 30 and was told I could go on the heart transplant list at 20.  I suppose alot depends on his age...I am sorry to hear about your Dad, i will think of him and your familyin my prayers.  Hey Jude
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
He already has a defibrillator.  I don't think there's not really anything else we can do for him. We just want to know how long he can survive.
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
He's having a very difficult experience. I was diagnosed with 36% rate and is now being pushed for a defibrillator. Call your dads doctor asap.
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
He's having a very difficult experience. I was diagnosed with 36% rate and is now being pushed for a defibrillator. Call your dads doctor asap.
Helpful - 0
Have an Answer?

You are reading content posted in the Congestive Heart Failure Community

Top Heart Disease Answerers
159619 tn?1707018272
Salt Lake City, UT
11548417 tn?1506080564
Netherlands
Learn About Top Answerers
Didn't find the answer you were looking for?
Ask a question
Popular Resources
Is a low-fat diet really that heart healthy after all? James D. Nicolantonio, PharmD, urges us to reconsider decades-long dietary guidelines.
Can depression and anxiety cause heart disease? Get the facts in this Missouri Medicine report.
Fish oil, folic acid, vitamin C. Find out if these supplements are heart-healthy or overhyped.
Learn what happens before, during and after a heart attack occurs.
What are the pros and cons of taking fish oil for heart health? Find out in this article from Missouri Medicine.
How to lower your heart attack risk.