Congestive Heart Failure
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MossRoad
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My father died of congestive heart failure as a condition of amyloidosis (weird protein disease), which was a condition of multiple myeloma (plasma cell cancer). He was 77. So in his case, yes, it was highly slanted because of ill health from other factors.
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RalphVa
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Don't think it's progressive. In my case, it came on as a result of being weakened by afib and the TURP with all the fluids employed.
Don't think it was progressive in my Dad's case either. In grandmother's case, it probably was, as she had swollen legs a long time before she got CHF and died.
So many things that you buy have tons of salt in them. My wife is non gluten. It's virtually impossible for us to go out to eat any more: ice cream and yogurt places. That's about it. One small chain in Columbus, OH caterers to both non gluten and low sodium. A couple places around here say they do non gluten, but they have virtually nothing that I can eat. At the bowling alley, there is absolutely NOTHING below about 2,000 mg of sodium, FAR above what I allow myself now.
Lots of people get their ejection fraction back to normal after CHF. Trick is keeping it there with no sodium and exercise.
Ralph
Don't think it was progressive in my Dad's case either. In grandmother's case, it probably was, as she had swollen legs a long time before she got CHF and died.
So many things that you buy have tons of salt in them. My wife is non gluten. It's virtually impossible for us to go out to eat any more: ice cream and yogurt places. That's about it. One small chain in Columbus, OH caterers to both non gluten and low sodium. A couple places around here say they do non gluten, but they have virtually nothing that I can eat. At the bowling alley, there is absolutely NOTHING below about 2,000 mg of sodium, FAR above what I allow myself now.
Lots of people get their ejection fraction back to normal after CHF. Trick is keeping it there with no sodium and exercise.
Ralph
tcreeley
Elite Member
I shoot for less than 150 mg sodium daily. It occurs naturally in most foods, But the worst foods are what you get from the grocery store- like all of them! You get used to it - cheddar cheese tastes salty to me now, no tuna, no cottage cheese, no bread unless I make it myself- saltless. I see the bp jump when I eat more sodium. I always figured I would be active for ever. Bodies just don't cooperate. I ache if I just walk to the mailbox. I find I need to keep myself interested in new things. I am always tired and moving is like stretching cold rubber bungy cords. But I always feel better from getting out and doing something. I've learned to let myself stop and catch my wind- it allows me to last longer and do more. No more days of working non-stop to get the job done. "The **** with it - there is always time" has become my new way of living- cuts stress!
Life is the way it is- find the enjoyment in it!
Life is the way it is- find the enjoyment in it!
MossRoad
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My wife's father has trouble walking. So he got a stationary bike. A lot less stress on the joints. He'll put 40 miles on it during a football game and he's 88! 
I think he could still kick my butt.
I think he could still kick my butt. JDL538
Silver Member
I was told I had CHF when I was 39 years old. My dad died of a HA young, my brother when he was 42. I stated walking 5 miles 5 days a week. When I was 59 I had 5 way bypass I'm 69 now. I still walk 5 days a week I'm a fast walker and have been on statins for many years and bata blocker. I enjoy walking.. My opinion get in shape it's fun and don't worry about it. Lose weight if need be. By the way the heart doc. who told me that was much younger than me he's dead 5 years are more.
Whidbey
Silver Member
Just did a paper surveying this subject. A high percentage of the mortality occurs in the first year after diagnosis. After this period the curve flattens out. The younger you are when it occurs, the fewer accompanying diseases the better the long term survival.
JDL538
Silver Member
What I forgot to say is I had about 10 heart attacks when I was 37 all in one day..I went to the hospital and they said I was to young to have a heart attack and sent me home saying it was something else, I don't remember. 2 YEARS later my brother died and the doc. said all of us should be checked.. My attacks made there own bypass in the lower part of my heart, I was lucky .
Luke'sScreenName
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CHF has lots of causes. Some are reversable, some are not.
Your local hospital may have a support group for CHF. Sounds silly but might have useful information. Also, ask your doctors if you have a "case manager." These are typically RNs who have more time and are just honestly better at explaining things to patients than the average doctor.
Your local hospital may have a support group for CHF. Sounds silly but might have useful information. Also, ask your doctors if you have a "case manager." These are typically RNs who have more time and are just honestly better at explaining things to patients than the average doctor.
