Life expectancy

[Stuey75]

My Dad has had Two Bypass surgerys. One when he was 45 - leaving him with a graft to his RCA and OM and a Lima to LAD. Since then 16 yrs later. He has re occluded all but the Lima graft to Lad. He had another redo bypass off pump via transthorasic and replacing graft to OM 3 - as OM1 has a 95% stenosis and aneurysm they weren't able to fix it. OM 2 was full of clots and un-viable. His native circ ,prox lad and  RCA is occluded. Has minor irregular to his left main. He is diabetic - type 2 on dimacron and metformin. He has been doing well since the second bypass two years ago with his EF at 40-45%. The last two months he has been short of breathe and chest pain daily. Repeat Muga scan shows his EF now at 19%. He does drink alcohol about 3-4 glasses of rum a day despite knowing he shouldn't. He has slight renal impairment with a creat of 120-150 at times He also has had three strokes in the past - leaving him with mild weakness only to one side and poor vision. Sounds bad right !! My question is .... Does he even have much chance left to improve his EF ? Knowing most of his blood supply to the left ventricle muscle is blocked ? Is it just a matter of time ? We are feeling desperate and hoping he can get some help but also trying to be realistic. I doubt very highly he is a transplant option. Any advice or helpful suggestions would be appreciated. Even a life expectancy - whether good or bad would be nice. He's not on oxygen at this time.

[Stuey75]

Thank you Flycaster and Jon.  I have alot of medical knowledge so agree and understand everything you have said. I have spoken with the doctor since the post. He is already on the Meds he needs - Lasix , spirolactone, metroprolol and diovan. I have told him he needs to avoid salt and most of all
Alcohol. However his doctor said he should also spend the rest of his life happy and a drink a day is ok - I disagree as he won't be able to stop at one so he shouldn't drink anything.  I do have more hope for him after reading your posts. I know the road ahead will be difficult for him especially
If he won't change. I am hoping for many years if memories with my Dad still.

[Flycaster305]

The diets you mentioned, Jon, I agree with, but with certain Caveats.  Very probably, Stuey75, he is taking both Lasix (Furmosemide) and also Spirolactone.  Lasix is a strong diuretic, and if he taking it without Spironolactone, he needs to take prescription grade Potassium.  HOWEVER, if he is also taking Spironolactone, he needs to AVOID taking Potassium in any form, and Dash Seasonings contain a lot of Potassium. Either case, too low or particularly too high Potassium levels are dangerous.  I'm warned to not use salt or salt substitutes, mix in Italian seasonings for food flavor, but above all, avoid salt substitutes.

Regardless, you father needs to have very regular blood tests, including what is called the BNP test that will determine his level of heart failure.  I'm tested every two weeks.

[erijon]

Everything Flycaster told you is correct. He needs to stop drinking, he will never recover if he continues to drink. His condition requires more than supplements and YouTube videos, he needs to be working closely with his doctor.

Stay away from the high fat diet, look at the Mediterranean or DASH diet, both will help. He doesn't need to be reading books about Cholesterol Myths, he already has heart disease. He needs medical intervention, have you asked these questions of his doctor? That's where you need to start.

Good luck!

Jon

[Flycaster305]

Your father and I are in a similar situation.  I've had only one bypass procedure, and knew that it was a risky procedure going forward and chose to try it, but the bypasses failed and I'm back to trying to maintain with basically only the LAD artery functional, have a CHF diagnosis and an EF about the same as your husband.  
I came back from a very difficult situation with high doses of diuretics, and am following it up with high doses of Ranexa and Beta Blockers and as well of course of a statin and blood thinners.  I've recovered enough to be back in Heart Rehab, and can go on short shopping trips.  It is a far cry from jogging and lifting weights like I was six months ago, but it is a start.
Your Dad obviously needs to knock off the Rum!  I agree with Redstar that it will inflame as well as harden arteries.  Can you suggest he substitute some red wine?  I completely disagree that a high fat diet will help him.  Also, staying away from salt is extremely important.  His food needs to come from the edges of the super market; fresh vegetables, fresh fish, etc., and stay away from the processed food in the middle of the market.

I've made every mistake in the book, I bought into the natural food and supplement movement twenty years ago, dismissed medical attention for diabetes, ignored the salt issue.  That said, I have to accept a new reality and maximize my chances to survive

[Red_Star]

A study published in the journal Panminerva Medica demonstrates PycnoQ10®, a pycnogenol (French maritime pine bark extract) and coenzyme Q10 (CoQ10) combination, naturally improves heart function. The 12 weeks study results showed heart ejection fraction increased by 22.4% in the treatment group but only 4% in controls.

Top comment under the youtube video (which talks about the popular LCHF [low carb high fat] diet: The Food Revolution...

"My husband has lost about 150 on LCHF. I'm a Type 2 diabetic down 55 pounds and counting, off insulin and Metformin, with normal blood sugars and excellent cholesterol levels."

From the book: The Great Cholesterol Myth:

"Myth–A high carbohydrate diet protects you from heart disease.
Fact–Simple processed carbs and sugars predispose you to heart disease.

Myth–Fat is bad for your health.
Fact–Monounsaturated and saturated fats protect you from metabolic syndrome. Sugar is the foe in cardiovascular disease."