ejection factor and life expectancy

[Clovew1]

My hushand has been a diabetic for approximately 30 years. Recently he has suffered 3 bouts of congestive heart failure in one year. His ejection factor is 28%. What is his life expectancy? He is on many medications and uses oxygen daily. In the days 2 units and at nights he is 3- 4 units.

Vi.

[April04melton]

My ankles have been swollen for a month and leaves an indent when pressed with my fingertips I sometimes get sharp pain in chest and short of breath

[Karissa22jow]

Hi there! I’m a cardiac nurse, and my dad has a heart attack a few months ago followed by quadruple bypass, and the follow up echo was 25%. I feel like we all came here to find some people to give us information that would make us feel optimistic about length of life span, but even working with cardiac patients for a living, it’s all over the place with how people do. Even knowing this, here I am myself hoping to read a story that will make me not worried about my dad. My thoughtsare with all you guys, and I really hope you are all doing well!
Just follow your doctor’s advice the best you can, try not to stress about what’s out of your control, and go enjoy your life! Take care!

[Cindy571959]

Im 57 and a visit to ER cuz I could not catch my breath and was so bloated I could not bend my feet gave me a diagnosis of chf. Recent echo came back with an efc of less than 20%. I need to loose weight. Quit smoking 6 months ago. Exercise? I get winded walking a block and I'm afraid to exercise to be honest. The comments are hopeful and encouraging. I'm on losartan and lasix  and thyroid. I tire easily. Thanks to everyone who wrote.

[Allieonsunshine]

Should a man have sex with an EF of 29%

[Oceansurfer]

For sure..as a guide be in control of your breathing ..not your breathing in control of you..so you should be able to talk in sentences without becoming breathless ...opens up the" talk dirty to me " in a medical concern haha..I have a defibrillator implant and it went off during sex but hasn't since.

[Ehrin22]

Also, was not a smoker.

[Ehrin22]

Congestive Heart failure - ef=24%
Chronic Lyme disease that ruined the heart
Type II diabetes
Peripheral neuropathy in both legs and feet
Bi-polar disorder (for 29 years - now in in partial remission)
COPD - chronic obstructive bronchitis (stage 3b -19 years)
Stage 3 kidney disease
Hypertension
A piece of glass wedged in foot that no foot surgeon will touch thanks to the neuropathy
Not to mention, The gout..!!

BUT I STILL WANNA LIVE!!

RIGHT......

If there's one thing that manic/depression has taught me,it's that there are some things in life that are worse than death...

[Bookreader1]

Hi. I was diagnosed with chef in May of 2009 during standard preoperative  echo cardigan in prep gall bladder surgery. Got a defibrillator instead. Here's where the story gets confusing for some. I also have Neuro problems that wipes random memories. So the cardiologist explained everything at the time but had a memory wipe. Been feeling fine since then until last month when my energy took a big drop. So I asked my Dr Monday why this would happen she responded we talked about all this when we put your defibrillator in. Well tell me again because I'm hearing it for the first time.  30 percent ejection rate since first diagnosed.  She told me then to quit smoking and lose weight. I'm 5'6 130 lbs and a non smoker58 year old female wo exercises. No other medical problems and I have no other problems that I have been reading about other than tired starting last month. No water retention at all or shortness of breath unless I overexposure. Dr told me that basically when I was first diagnosed in 5 years 39 percent of people were dead and after 10 years it was 95 percent of people. I have felt fine since 2008 until last month when I just all of a sudden I was just a lot briefer but no other symptoms. Y'all sound like you know what your talking about. Does anybody have any idea how my situation is going to play out. I'm very scared as I just found out the time table stats a few days ago. Before that I figured I was going to live until in was 80. I feel like a milk carton who just an expiration date stamped on it and I have 3 1/3 years at the most.  hELP I have no idea how to handle this

[Bookreader1]

Hi. I was diagnosed with chef in May of 2009 during standard preoperative  echo cardigan in prep gall bladder surgery. Got a defibrillator instead. Here's where the story gets confusing for some. I also have Neuro problems that wipes random memories. So the cardiologist explained everything at the time but had a memory wipe. Been feeling fine since then until last month when my energy took a big drop. So I asked my Dr Monday why this would happen she responded we talked about all this when we put your defibrillator in. Well tell me again because I'm hearing it for the first time.  30 percent ejection rate since first diagnosed.  She told me then to quit smoking and lose weight. I'm 5'6 130 lbs and a non smoker58 year old female wo exercises. No other medical problems and I have no other problems that I have been reading about other than tired starting last month. No water retention at all or shortness of breath unless I overexposure. Dr told me that basically when I was first diagnosed in 5 years 39 percent of people were dead and after 10 years it was 95 percent of people. I have felt fine since 2008 until last month when I just all of a sudden I was just a lot briefer but no other symptoms. Y'all sound like you know what your talking about. Does anybody have any idea how my situation is going to play out. I'm very scared as I just found out the time table stats a few days ago. Before that I figured I was going to live until in was 80. I feel like a milk carton who just an expiration date stamped on it and I have 3 1/3 years at the most.  hELP I have no idea how to handle this

[wallywds]

Hi, I am a 65 year old male who was diagnosed with CHF several years ago. My EF was around 5O then but had came down last winter to around 15-20. I had very low energy at that time. I had a CRT-D placed in February but my symptoms did not improve until further testing was done and it was determined that I was having frequent bouts with A FIB. Had a cardioversion done in May that seems to have solved the A Fib problem and was told by my doctor that the CRT-D could not have improved my heart while the A FIB was in play.  The EF is hasnow improved and is around 35. I am wondering if there may be further improvement as time passes assuming the AFIB does not come back into play?

[Pellum]

I have a pacemaker currently.  They aren't so bad.  I have a cough too that I guess you can develop when you have CHF.  Keep me posted on your findings.  I wish you the best.

[wilcfr]

Went into the hospital in April with an EF of 5% and a HR of 195. Was totally asymptomatic and would not have known I was sick if I hadn't had a FP appointment that day. He discovered the tachycardia and called my Cardiologist (I also have Afib). Stayed three days and left with a LifeVest and a bucket of new drugs. Was on Amiodarone, Digoxin, Lisinopril, ToprolXL and Spirolactone. I was already on Xarelto for the Afib. Three month later I am still wearing the vest and I'm off the Amio and have moved from Lisinopril to Lorastan because of the cough. My last echo in July showed my EF had improved to 30%. We are hoping by October I might improve enough to lose the vest. If not I will be looking at an ICD/pacemaker.

[khaef]

I had a similar experience and diagnosis, ending in the ER -- although my EF is closer to 30-35%. This happened in June 2016 to now.  I also ended up with a LifeVest which I'm still wearing-- into 4th month  My EP Cardiologist says next step is an ICD-- Before I agree, I want a second opinion, but overall want my EF to improve back to a normal measurement.  

[Pellum]

Gosh, no suggestions other than getting more than one opinion is always good.  When I was told no by Utah to a heart transplant, I got a second opinion from Cedar Sinai and the answer and reason was the same.  I would always get a second opinion.  I guess when one has CHF, we are always looking to others with the same thing as kind of support if you will.  I hope you will keep me posted.

[megora]

Hi,
I am 66. I have had RA for 45 yrs, many joint surgeries and now my inflammation is pretty well controlled with Remicade infusions. Only have "mechanical pain" from the past destruction of joints.
In the heart dept., I have had extra heart beats for over a decade and my BP is just slightly high.
About 1 1/2 year ago, my EF was 50.  Last month, it was 40-45. (I still have to go next week for the results of the images taken last week when I had a stress test). I have no symptoms.  Someone mentioned in this forum having RA.  Is  RA related to a lowering EF or could the meds for RA be responsible?  Thanks so much for some answers!

[navwife]

My husband was medically retired from the military after having lung cancer and undergoing a right pneumonectomy a clinical trial at NIH using high doses of chemotherapy and radiation to the mediastinum.  He was not expected to live however he has been alive 19 years but has developed a number of conditions all connected to the above to include the latest CHF.  He recently had a left and right heart catheterization which showed his pressures were fine and his arteries had less than 10% blockage but he had a lot of scar tissue in his heart with a EF of 30-35%.  He has been on Lasix for a number of years but still continues to have fluid build up.  The doctor is not sure of what may have caused the scar tissue and when he compared echos from one year ago the doctor gave us the impression that this damage occurred within the past year.  Our concern is if this is true how do we stop more damage from occurring?  We are going for other doctors for second opinions but do you have any suggestions?

[Pellum]

It has been a while since I have been out here.  I so appreciate you responding.  My doctor will NOT repeat an echocardiogram as he tells me it will not change his treatment and I get hung up on the EF.  We will be moving to Vegas in less than a year and I am terrified about changing doctors.  My hope is to be able to live another couple years so I can celebrate my 25th wedding anniversary.  It is just nice to hear from someone that has some of the same fears as me.

[BeeKay47]

I am 67, dx 2 yrs ago with CHF, ejection of 15%.  Had no idea & no symptoms to speak of until I couldn't get my breath while visiting our son out of town.  Three months later I got a defibrillator, which gives me a little peace of mind that it will start-me-up if the old ticker gets too tired!  I started cardiac rehab which made me feel so much better, more energy, though I'm still pretty limited in what I can do.  My ejection improved to 19% in a year so I'm going in the right direction!   I still watch my salt though it's so hard.  You have to just do the best you can:  diet, medication & reasonable exercise.  Can't dwell too much on it, still getting used to a new normal - but I'm thankful each morning to wake up & see a new day.

[ivis30]

Hi there, I'm a 44 year old diagnosed with CHF Dec 18, 2014.  Cardiologist figured he would humour me by doing an echo as he plugged me into his iPhone app and I came back as extremely low probability for chf. Unfortunately the joke was on him. Or is it on me? I'm also a nurse in the hospital where I was seen.  My EF is at 28% so I know exactly where you are coming from.  Not a heavy drinker by any means, had recently quit smoking before this all happened and none of the obvious signs other than becoming so short of breath.  At this point they think the cause was a virus that attacked my heart.  I amonth still waiting for a CT angiogram to rule out coronary artery disease as the cause.  Either way nothing really changes in the treatment plan unless I should become extremely worse and require a transplant.  

Recently I chatted with a friend I met online.  He was diagnosed 2 yRd ago at 54.  He came into ER and was basically dead for over a minute.  They got him   back and he had an EF of 15% .  He went to ICU.   Family was told to say their goodbyes.  He's doing well now on the mess with an EF of 28%.  It's a hard diagnosis to take that's for certain, but you can live with it!  My biggest learning curve has come with dealing with the lasix/water pill but that's getting better.  That and having to realize I can't do everything I used to do!  Learning to live within limitations is hard, but when all you have done is give and give I guess life has a way of slowing you down. Good luck to you!
good

[Pellum]

I am almost 52 years old and have an ejection fraction of 18-21%.  Doctors felt I needed a heart transplant but because my aorta vessel is calcified, I have been denied the transplant.  

To know you are 71 and have lived 10 years with an EF of 22% gives me hope.  The whole EF number freaks me out.  I know I need to do better with my sodium intake but I am exercising three times a week at a Rehab Center.  Anyway you give me hope.

[erijon]

EF% is best calculated with an echo.

[Irene7196]

that is one of the few encouraging words I have heard. I had a heart attack 6 weeks ago and after many tests they did confirm it was a heart attack. My blood pressure was normal, my blood oxygen 97 at time I was admitted and no blocked arteries.  But did have damage to left ventricle with 20% ejection fraction.  Is that determined by the ECG or blood test?
I quite smoking and drinking 20 years ago and am losing weight but not heavy anyway.  I am hoping that I can get the EF up higher n next few months so I dont have to have a defib put into my body.
Whats your feeling about internal defibs?
Irene

[straywick]

Just learned from pulmonologist that anything that ends in "pril" can cause a chronic cough. My mother, age 83, who is being treated for CHF was placed on Lisonpril and was coughing to the point where sleep was interrupted. Pulmo had us contact cardio, who stopped medication, and the cough is gone! There are other medicines that do the same thing as Lisinopril and do not have cough as side effect.

[cc41139]

I am 73 yrs old and have EF of 22% for 10 years. I am relatively asymptomatic (no apparent external symptoms). I have an implanted CRD device for 8 years and my meds are coreg, quinnipril, inspra, and lipitor. My BP is 110/70 with pulse between 62-68.

[RCD177]

What kind of steps , measures ie, .. treatment did you employ to reverse your loe EF.

Thanks  R.C.D.

[AthenaSB]

wow, I went to the nearby mountain for an afternoon the other day and elevation is around 8000 ft for the area we went to... just to have picnic and be with the trees... but whoa!  I had the hardest time breathing.  I expected the elevation to make it a bit harder, but it really hit home how bad I was doing.  That was a bummer but I still managed to enjoy it.  My RA was acting up too so it was hard to move.  Geez- all at once.  

I really hope my meds are working but worry when I have so many short of breath days even at home at rest.  I will keep a positive attitude tho!

Cheers everyone, hope you are doing well.