How long do people usually live after being diagnosed with congestive heart failure?

In general, more than half of all people diagnosed with congestive heart failure will survive for 5 years. About 35% will survive for 10 years. Congestive heart failure (CHF) is a chronic, progressive condition that affects the heart's ability to pump blood around the body.
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Is congestive heart failure usually fatal?

Patients with congestive heart failure have a high incidence of sudden cardiac death that is attributed to ventricular arrhythmias. The mortality rate in a group of patients with class III and IV heart failure is about 40% per year, and half of the deaths are sudden.
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Can a person live for 20 years with congestive heart failure?

In general, about half of all people diagnosed with congestive heart failure will survive 5 years. About 30% will survive for 10 years. In patients who receive a heart transplant, about 21% of patients are alive 20 years later.
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How quickly does heart failure progress?

Symptoms can develop quickly (acute heart failure) or gradually over weeks or months (chronic heart failure).
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How do you know the end is near with congestive heart failure?

Patients in the end stages of heart failure want to know what to expect. The symptoms of end-stage congestive heart failure include dyspnea, chronic cough or wheezing, edema, nausea or lack of appetite, a high heart rate, and confusion or impaired thinking.
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Living with Congestive Heart Failure



What are the signs that congestive heart failure is getting worse?

Signs of Worsening Heart Failure
  • Shortness of breath.
  • Feeling dizzy or lightheaded.
  • Weight gain of three or more pounds in one day.
  • Weight gain of five pounds in one week.
  • Unusual swelling in the legs, feet, hands, or abdomen.
  • A persistent cough or chest congestion (the cough may be dry or hacking)
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What is the difference between heart failure and congestive heart failure?

Actually, heart failure means that the heart isn't pumping as well as it should be. Congestive heart failure is a type of heart failure that requires seeking timely medical attention, although sometimes the two terms are used interchangeably.
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What is the main cause of congestive heart failure?

What causes congestive heart failure? The most common cause of congestive heart failure is coronary artery disease. Risk factors for coronary artery disease include: high levels of cholesterol and/or triglyceride in the blood.
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What is the best thing to do for congestive heart failure?

Lifestyle Changes
  • Modify daily activities and get enough rest to avoid stressing the heart.
  • Eat a heart-healthy diet that is low in sodium and fat.
  • Don't smoke and avoid exposure to second-hand smoke.
  • Don't drink alcohol or limit intake to no more than one drink two or three times a week.
  • Lose weight.
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Can you live a normal life with congestive heart failure?

It is possible to lead a normal life, even if you have Heart Failure. Understanding and taking control of Heart Failure is the key to success. Your doctor and healthcare providers will provide guidelines and a treatment plan. It is your responsibility to follow the treatment plan and manage your Heart Failure.
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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.
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Can a heart recover from congestive heart failure?

Heart failure does not mean that your heart is going to stop working. It means your heart muscle does not pump enough blood to meet the needs of your body. There is no cure for heart failure. Damage to your heart muscle may improve but will not go away.
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What age does congestive heart failure usually start?

Heart failure can happen at any age. It happens to both men and women, but men often develop it at a younger age than women. Your chance of developing heart failure increases if: You're 65 years old or older.
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Can congestive heart failure worsen suddenly?

Heart failure can suddenly get worse due to: Ischemia (lack of blood flow to the heart muscle) Eating high-salt foods. Heart attack.
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Should I be worried about congestive heart failure?

Call 911 or emergency medical help if you have any of the following: Chest pain. Fainting or severe weakness. Rapid or irregular heartbeat associated with shortness of breath, chest pain or fainting.
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What are the four signs of congestive heart failure?

What Are the Symptoms of Heart Failure?
  • Congested lungs. Fluid backup in the lungs can cause shortness of breath with exercise or difficulty breathing at rest or when lying flat in bed. ...
  • Fluid and water retention. ...
  • Dizziness, fatigue, and weakness. ...
  • Rapid or irregular heartbeats.
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What to expect after heart failure diagnosis?

While in the hospital, you may receive additional medications to help your heart pump better and relieve your symptoms. You may also receive supplemental oxygen through a mask or small tubes placed in your nose. If you have severe heart failure, you may need to use supplemental oxygen for a long time.
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When is it time for hospice with congestive heart failure?

Signs it Might Be Time for Hospice

Patients are considered to be in the terminal end stage of heart disease when they have a life expectancy of six months or less. Only a doctor can make a clinical determination of congestive heart failure life expectancy.
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What happens to your legs with congestive heart failure?

Congestive heart failure.

Congestive heart failure causes one or both of the heart's lower chambers stop pumping blood well. As a result, blood can back up in the legs, ankles and feet, causing edema. Congestive heart failure can also cause swelling in the stomach area.
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What is the mortality rate of congestive heart failure?

The study found the average CHF survival rates were: 80-90% after one year, compared to 97% in the general population. 50-60% by the fifth year, compared to 85% in the general population. 30% by year 10, compared to 75% in the general population.
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Do you need to be hospitalized for congestive heart failure?

Your heart has lost some ability to pump blood. This can cause shortness of breath, weakness and fluid retention. Congestive heart failure (CHF) is serious, but many treatments can help you feel better. If you know a lot about CHF, you have a good chance of staying out of the hospital.
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How do you know what stage of congestive heart failure you have?

What types of tests are used to diagnose heart failure?
  1. Blood tests.
  2. NT-pro B-type Natriuretic Peptide (BNP) blood test.
  3. Cardiac Catheterization.
  4. Chest X-ray.
  5. Echocardiogram (echo).
  6. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI).
  7. Electrocardiogram (EKG or ECG).
  8. Multigated Acquisition Scan (MUGA scan).
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What is Stage 2 congestive heart failure?

Stage II. The second stage of congestive heart failure carries some noticeable symptoms. Most commonly, they appear after physical activity. After exercise or other moderate physical exertion, patients may experience symptoms such as heart palpitations, shortness of breath, and fatigue.
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What is the first line treatment for congestive heart failure?

Loop diuretics should be used as first-line agents, with thiazides added for refractory fluid overload. Diuretic treatment should be combined with a low-salt diet,8 a β-blocker, and an ACE inhibitor. The practitioner should begin with oral furosemide, 20 to 40 mg once daily.
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What should you avoid if you have congestive heart failure?

Avoid These Foods if You Have Heart Failure
  • Alcohol. Heart failure prevents the heart from pumping as well as it used to. ...
  • Salt. Consuming too much salt (sodium) can result in fluid retention in the healthiest of people. ...
  • Highly Processed Grains. ...
  • Processed Meats.
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