Congestive Heart Failure, What is the mortality rate for a male age 84?

Question

My grandfather has Congestive Heart Faliure, what are the mortality rates? Is this a condition that can be caused by other medacations? What is the normal stay in the hospital? One last thing what are the at home needs after the hospital? Any one that is a Dr. please help me with this I have many other questions that his current Dr is avoiding. Please I need answers.

Answer 1

The cause is of paramount concern.



If new, and from acute coronary disease, then there are great treatment options. Stenting at your grandfather's age would be a solid option, if multiple vessel disease, may require coronary artery bypass grafting (cabg, we say cabbage).



If from prolonged hypertension... viral disease... prolonged alcohol abuse... others.. then his heart muscle may be unrecoverable, and he's in bad shape. Medications to reduce symptoms and increase function work, but ultimately limited by the amount of living/functioning tissue, and more complex things like exactly "how" that tissue is working.



If from dead tissue due to prior heart attack, more radical surgeries are possible... you'd need an absolute expert, look to a university setting if this is the case.



If no surgical options, and there is a vast amount of tissue dead or useless... his mortality is in the months (could be days, hours, is he in the ICU?, sorry to scare you). Transplant can do amazing things if an organ is available, he's sick enough to get the organ, but well enought to survive....



If he's walking, and just has a cough, and swelling in the legs; with weight loss, excercise, lots of medications, he can nearly restore his mortality to normal (depending on co-existing conditions).

Answer 2

Many people have CHF. It is common as people get older. CHF is a decreased functioning of the heart muscle, which leads to a decrease perfusion of the vital organs such as the kidneys. With CHF there is accumulation of fluid which builds up in the lungs, which makes it difficult to breath. MDs will order diuretics for that. They will also order meds called beta blockers which assist with contractility of the heart as well as decreasing the work load of the heart. It depends how advanced the CHF is. Advanced stages of CHF may require a dual chamber pacemaker. I don't understand why the MD is avoiding your ?'s. Are you making him/her feel defensive? Dietary issues are also important Low Sodium diets and fluid restrictions also come into play with CHF. There are also CHF centers where they counsel the patients and follow up with them to keep them on track with meds,diets,and fluid restrictions. Good luck and I hope this helps.

Answer 3

Congestive heart failure...can be treated with surgery or medication. Normally it does lower the life expectancy but it normally means years not months...and as long as he is getting treatment may have a long time left.