The term ‘heart failure’ can sound scary when you first hear it; the word failure alone could keep you up at night. You might think to yourself, “Does this mean that my heart no longer works?” Thankfully, that’s not the case. What it really means is that your heart is not functioning or pumping as well as it could be, and left untreated, it can cause severe damage to your internal organs. Congestive Heart Failure (CHF) is a serious condition, but it doesn’t have to be a death sentence. Show
You may have to make some significant changes to your lifestyle going forward. It’s important to understand the facts; if you have a proper strategy in place and you understand the triggers, you can better manage your condition. If you or a loved one is diagnosed with CHF, here are a few things you should know: 1. It doesn’t work in isolationCHF works closely with other heart diseases and can be caused by a number of cardiac disorders. In fact, heart failure isn’t the actual disease, but rather a result of other conditions. 2. Life expectancy variesOne of the most pressing questions you might have is, “What’s the life expectancy?” Unfortunately, there’s no single answer for this. Your doctor will explain this to you. A lot will depend on which stage of your condition you are in and your overall health. The good news is that advancements are constantly being made in treating CHF. However, despite the advancements, 5 years is the life expectancy of about 50% of those diagnosed with CHF. 90% of those in advanced CHF stages will pass away within a year. At moderate stages, patients average 10 years. One of the reasons why CHF is so dangerous is that it goes undetected for long. With early detection, you have better odds of living a happy life (with the doctor’s prescriptions and dietary changes). 3. Age mattersResearch has shown a strong correlation between the incidence and prevalence of CHF and the patient’s age. With advancing age, the condition can get worse. The diagnosis, however scary, can give hope to patients and their loved ones. By following the doctor’s advice, you can take control of the situation and your quality of life. 4. CHF is NOT a death sentenceWhile serious, congestive heart failure diagnosis doesn’t mean your life is over. It’s important to understand how manageable it is. By taking the right steps, patients can learn to live a happy and fulfilling life. Will there be necessary lifestyle changes? Certainly. But it doesn’t mean you have to stop what you’re doing. Do regular physical exercises like walking, swimming, biking, and light-weight exercises. Avoid activities such as running in very hot or very cold weather or doing heavy lifting. Stick to a diet that’s low in sodium and avoid processed foods. Consult a doctor for the best steps to combat your CHF.
What is the life expectancy of people with heart failure? Learn about survival rates and determining factors Heart failure is a condition in which your heart becomes so weak that it is unable to pump blood effectively to other parts of your body. This can cause symptoms such as shortness of breath, edema (swelling) of the legs, and bloating in the face and abdomen. Although there have been improvements in treatments for heart failure, survival rates. The best way to understand how long you can live with heart failure is to ask your doctor, who can calculate life expectancy based on your age, risk factors, and heart failure stage (stage A to D). What are the survival rates for heart failure?Survival rates are based on studies of large groups of people with certain diagnoses and generally presented as a 5-year survival rate, which is the percentage of people who lived for at least 5 years after diagnosis. You can find online calculators that ask you to submit information to get a life expectancy prediction. However, these calculators are not always accurate since they are based on studies of certain population groups over a period of time (1 year, 5 years, or 10 years). Table: Survival rates for patients with heart failure
For example, the 5-year survival rate for patients with heart failure is about 76%. This means that about 76 out of 100 people who were diagnosed with heart failure could live for at least 5 years. Generally, young patients with heart failure have a better prognosis than older patients. Early diagnosis and treatment help increase life expectancy as well. What factors determine your life expectancy with heart failure?Your life expectancy with heart failure depends on many factors including the following:
How can you prolong your life expectancy with heart failure?Once you have been diagnosed with heart failure, your doctor will likely recommend that you make certain lifestyle modifications. Small but effective changes can reduce your risk of hospitalization and help you live longer. Exercise, especially aerobic activities like running and walking, can help improve your heart health. The American Heart Association recommends at least 30 minutes of moderate-intensity aerobic activity at least 5 days a week. Before selecting an aerobic workout, make sure to discuss it with your doctor and ask which one is right for you. Your doctor may also tell you to make changes to your diet, the most important one being restricting salt intake. Salt increases fluid retention in the body which can lead to edema. It’s important to keep a watch on how much salt you’re eating and switch to low-sodium food alternatives where possible. Other lifestyle changes that can prevent your heart failure from worsening include...
It is also crucial to take all medications prescribed by your doctor. Recent research shows that taking a combination of medications for heart failure can improve life expectancy. SLIDESHOWHeart Disease: Symptoms, Signs, and Causes See SlideshowMedically Reviewed on 9/14/2022 References Huff C. "Ways to Maximize Your Lifespan With Heart Failure." <https://www.webmd.com/heart-disease/heart-failure/features/heart-failure-life-expectancy>. Jones NR, Hobbs FR, Taylor CJ. "Prognosis Following a Diagnosis of Heart Failure and the Role of Primary Care: A Review of the Literature." BJGP Open. 1(3) 2017: bjgpopen17X101013. <https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6169931/>. Taylor CJ, Ordóñez-Mena JM, Roalfe AK, Lay-Flurrie S, Jones NR, Marshall T, Hobbs FDR. "Trends in survival after a diagnosis of heart failure in the United Kingdom 2000-2017: population based cohort study." BMJ. 364 Feb. 13, 2019: l223. <https://www.bmj.com/content/364/bmj.l223>. What is the life expectancy after being diagnosed with congestive heart failure?The life expectancy for congestive heart failure depends on the cause of heart failure, its severity, and other underlying medical conditions. In general, about half of all people diagnosed with congestive heart failure will survive 5 years. About 30% will survive for 10 years.
Can you live a long life after congestive heart failure?Understanding and taking control of heart failure is the key to your success. It is possible to lead a normal life, even if you have Heart Failure. People who understand their condition make better decisions, live a longer life and feel better.
How quickly does heart failure progress?Symptoms can develop quickly (acute heart failure) or gradually over weeks or months (chronic heart failure).
Is congestive heart failure a terminal illness?CHF is NOT a death sentence
While serious, congestive heart failure diagnosis doesn't mean your life is over. It's important to understand how manageable it is. By taking the right steps, patients can learn to live a happy and fulfilling life. Will there be necessary lifestyle changes?
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