[Blackrock]

Does anybody knows the progression and treatment of congestive heart failure? What are the complication and survival rates? Please share your story. Thnx

[Perna]

What is the cause? Complications and survival rates depend on what is underlying the failure. My father lived to be 80 with a congenital heart defect, for example. Is it left-sided or right-sided heart failure? (left can cause breathing problems, right causes swelling, especially legs and feet) and how old is the person? There are lifestyle changes that can help, it can be managed so it does not get worse in many instances (depending on cause, etc.).

[julnjer]

Hi. Yes, it can be managed. My father had congestive heart failure on a few occasions. It can be treated and my father did pass away last Christmas, but not from CHF. Blessings.

[badmouse]

I awoke one morning 4 years ago with swollen legs and feet, went to the doc, who sent me to the ER. After many tests, diagnosis, congestive heart failure. Alas one of the tests that was done was cardiac catheterization. I had two strokes, which it seems is a side effect of cardiac catheterization..

Anyway, I've had Rheumatoid Arthritis since I was a child. My Rheumatologist says that the heart failure was a result of 50 years of RA.

That's my story. Once I figured out what meds not to take, my heart has been fine.

[monkeybrains21]

My twin sister one day woke up difficulty breathing so we took her to er. At the time we were 16 and she was a 10yr cancer survivor. She had fluid in her lungs. Her heart was enlarged and only pumping at 25%. They immediately started on heart meds and got it up to 34%. Since she had cancer in the past and 2 bone marrow transplants, her immune system was shot.

They wanted her to have a heart transplant but decided she'd 1) die on the table 2) die from infection or 3) die from the anti rejection meds. She lived 6 yrs in heart failure before it finally killed her. Her heart failure was the side effect of one of the chemo drugs she had when she was diagnosed with cancer at age 6.

I have congestive heart failure. My was due to inactivity - I had been working too many hours and had gained weight. I needed to lose weight, eat better and - most importantly - exercise regularly. All the exercise I needed was walking 3-4 times per week for an hour or more. The survival rates of good if you exercise regularly, and watch your weight and diet. Also, don't smoke and limit alcohol. Get regular check-ups too.