What's going to happen to my Dad?

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ViolentDelights

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Hi all,

My Dad was diagnosed with heart failure around 5/6 years ago, when I was a teenager. At the time, he simply told me that it was a manageable condition and that he would be OK so long as he followed his course of medicine and listened to doctors orders in terms of looking after himself. I just took this as being the case.

A couple of nights ago, however, for some reason I decided to investigate heart failure a little more and I have been devastated by my findings. I didn't realise that eventually, it's likely to end your life prematurely.

I spoke to my Dad about it last night and apparently, he doesn't know what stage/class (i.e. 1-4, A-D) he is at. I'm not sure whether I believe this - I think he's just trying to protect me from the reality of the situation. I asked him about his life expectancy etc and apparently, he doesn't know this either - he just reckons that he's going to look after himself so he can live as long as he can.

Can anyone give me any more info?

He's 53 years old and his heart failure is as a result of a faulty heart valve, something that was present at birth. He is slightly overweight but on the whole, he eats well. He works full time and it is quite an active job, so he gets exercise through this. He manages to go about normal activities well enough, such as going for a walk or doing the weekly shop. And He is controlling it through medication - very well I may add, he never misses doses etc - and the doc said he doesn't need an operation yet (I'd say this is a good sign - as he's still young and in decent health, if it was really bad then wouldn't the doc advice the op right now?). In his last check up, he did a treadmill fitness test thing and he was only a few marks below the average for someone his age WITHOUT a bad heart.

Can anyone tell me what the outlook is? I mean, if he was to continue to live sensibly as he is now, could he have a good few years left in him? As mentioned, he was diagnosed 5/6 years ago.

What I'm essentially asking is, is it possible to live to a decent old age if you manage the condition and yourself very well?
 
Congestive Heart Failure is a very scary sounding diagnosis for a very common condition. It means heart is not pushing blood as well as it could. It sounRAB as if your fathers body has adapted quite well to the way his heart functions.

My grandmother had a faulty valve and CHF and lived to 96 years old.

Try not to worry too much, it is very common and it sounRAB as if your fathers case is fairly mild.

Pup
 
Yes, heart problems are very serious in some people.

However, it sounRAB like he's doing well, and he's taking care of himself and having it monitored appropriately. So I would expect him to remain in reasonably good shape for quite a while yet.
 
There have been a lot of new and impressive things done regarding the heart. My grandma lived to be 100 with CHF. It sounRAB as if he is doing all that he can for himself and I dare say there will be signs before he goes into complete heart failure. Does he have a mitral valve prolapse. They can operate and fix those with a great deal of success. Try not to worry yourself too much, you will be the one needing the doctor...Sincerely, searchin
 
Thanks for all of your replies, they've been a comfort to me.

Yes, it's the mitral valve I believe.....he's not a priority or surgery though, apparently. His specialist said that it can be managed through meRAB and diet alone for the time being....obviously, priority goes to those who's condition is severe.

I'm trying not to worry because all of the facts would suggest that he's going to be OK for a good while yet but I can't help but think I should repare myself for the worst. I guess really I should save my worrying for when there's actually something to worry about!
 
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