30% heart function

[frog13]

My father is a 55y BM weighing 389lbs.  He has a hx of 3 MI's more than 5yrs ago.  He was dx w/CHF about a yr ago, but 5 days ago he had fluid build up & extreme SOB.  Dr's then informed us that only 30% of his heart was functioning for pumping & there is nothing else they can do.  Will a pacemaker help?  Do you have any suggestion, concerned daddy's girl.
Thank you

[JennC2610]

I agree that weight is playing a HUGE part in his condition. My dad has the same issue and is also overweight.  I have tried many times to restrict his diet, but he would just sneak junk food when I wasn't around so I finally gave up.  Some people just really struggle with weight loss.  The only thing you can do is make sure he stays in touch with his doctor's and gets checked regularly.  You can lead a horse to water but you can't make them drink it!  We just have to pray that the good lord allows us to enjoy our family for as long as we can.  Good Luck with your dad.

[CCF CCF]

You should discuss with his physicians why they feel there is nothing else to do.  It's difficult for me to tell you over the internet why this was told to you without having a better idea of his risk factors for device implantations, surgery, etc.  With an EF of 30%, an implantable defibrillator would be recommended in your father.  Many people can survive many years with an EF of 30%, however he will need good medical management, likely a defibrillator, and very close followup.  You asked about a pacemaker, and although he may not need one at this time if he has no arrythmia issues, a special type of pacemaker that has leads in each ventricular can sometimes be placed in certain patients who qualify for this device based on their electrocardiogram and symptoms.  This will need to be evaluated and decided by his physician, but these are some things to think about.

[Back40farmgirl]

I completely understand your concern and his frustration. You have described my husband to the tee. Same age, 30% heart function the whole nine yards. He is scheduled for a pace maker/defibrillator in one week and Praying for a difference in his health.  Never mind the cruel remarks from a few sick folks. I will be praying for your husband as wel as my own.  It's a scary,frustrating and lonely road for them especially when they have been active their entire life as mine has. All we can do is trust God.

[Keriston]

How did the pacemaker help your husband

[ed34]

When did he have the bypass? did this improve the heart up to 30% ?
The pacemaker is a very good safety measure because heart failure can lead to arrhythmia problems.

[Butterfly1962]

Has anyone checked to see if he has HCM which is hypertrophied where the heart muscle gets thick and hard. Runs in families that is the only way you get this. A lot of Dr's overlook this more than not. My cousin just passed away last Tuesday from HCM told all of us that it is totally genetic. His Dr placed an ICD that notified police to send ems when alarm goes off?

[smj366]

My husband has defib/pacemaker with no positive results. We had hoped it would help him with energy. He is very weak/fatigue and has a very weak heart they say is functioning on 30%.  He used to be able to walk alot not even close. He is very frustrated he is white 66years old.  He has had congestive heart failure, he is type 2 diabetic and has had bypass. He is hoping some rehab will at least strengthen his legs.

any answers

susan

[Keriston]

How is your dad??

[Michelle9876]

Is he having trouble walking? Numbness in his legs? This same thing happened to my dad and his aorta was 100% blocked causing him to have a heart attack. After his heart was strong enough they operated on his blocked aorta. It took the doctor 10 years to figure this out and if the proper tests were done it would have avoided him having a heart attack! My dad was at the point that he couldn't walk causing him to get a handicapped sign for his vehicle. Cold feet also due tomorrow blood flow. I hope this helps someone else's!

[jim62]

Seems to me that unless he's about 10' tall, some serious weight loss would be in order.

Has no one suggested that?

[kenkeith]

An EF of 30% indicates that only 30% of the blood is pumped out with each heart beat.  Normal is 55 to 75%, heart failure is is dx'd when the EF is below 29% and that indicates the heart is (may) not pumping enough blood to meet the system's demand.

When the EF is low the blood received from the lungs, and because it isn't pumped out by a weak heart, causes the blood to back up into the lungs and fluids leak out into the tissues causing SOB and a dry cough.  I had that condition 4 years ago.

Unless there is an arrhythmia problem (irregular heartbeats) or a very high risk a pacemaker would not be the treatment.  MI's have caused heart muscle damage and the damage effects heart wall movement that impairs heart contractions.  The correct treatment would be to reduce the heart's workload by decreasing the resistance (dilate vessels) ump against.  When vessels are dilated a weak heart can meet the system's demand for blood/oxygen.  Also reducing the volume of blood with a diuretic provides relief to the heart.  Workload relief can give the time for the heart to ain some of its lost strength.