Life expectancy with congestive heart failure (CHF) varies greatly but roughly 50% of people live 5 years or more, and about 30-35% live 10 years or longer after diagnosis, though many live much shorter or longer depending on age, severity (Stage D is <1 year), other health issues, and treatment success. While CHF is chronic, advanced options like LVADs or transplants can extend life significantly, and a healthy lifestyle with medication improves outlook.
Many people with heart failure can comfortably manage their symptoms and live full, productive lives. “Heart failure is a condition when the heart can't pump enough blood to meet the body's demands,” explains Mandeep Mehra, MD, MBBS, MSc, FRCP (London).
Signs of Worsening Heart Failure
Unpredictable Progression
Yes, a congestive heart failure diagnosis is serious, but it is not necessarily a death sentence. It's impossible to predict how the condition will progress on an singular basis. Some patients remain stable for many years, while others can get worse rather quickly.
There's no cure for heart failure. Treatment aims to relieve symptoms and slow further damage.
What are the 4 symptom stages of congestive heart failure?
Sodium is one of the biggest culprits when it comes to worsening heart failure symptoms. Too much salt can make your body retain fluid, leading to swelling in your legs, ankles or abdomen and putting more strain on your heart. Be sure to check food labels for hidden sodium, and try to limit processed or salty foods.
Of the deaths in patients with HF, up to 50% are sudden and unexpected; indeed, patients with HF have 6- to 9-times the rate of sudden cardiac death (SCD) of the general population.
Stage C: People show symptoms of heart failure, including fatigue, breathlessness, and edema. However, edema may not be a prominent feature, or it may be milder and localized. Stage D: In stage D, edema becomes more apparent.
Every 1,000 extra steps daily, up to 10,000, was associated with a 17% reduction in overall risk. These extra daily steps were linked to a 22% reduction in heart failure, 9% reduction in risk of heart attack, and 24% reduction in risk of stroke. Any physical activity is beneficial and the faster you walk, the better.
Surgery or other procedures for heart failure may include:
End-stage Congestive Heart Failure (CHF) involves severe, relentless symptoms like extreme breathlessness (dyspnea) even at rest, profound fatigue, significant swelling (edema) in legs, abdomen, and neck, a persistent, hacking cough (sometimes pink/frothy), and potential cognitive issues, all stemming from the heart's inability to pump effectively, leading to fluid buildup (congestion) and poor circulation (hypoperfusion). Patients often experience rapid or irregular heartbeats, loss of appetite, weight changes, and general weakness, indicating the need for palliative care focusing on comfort.
How long can a person live with congestive heart failure? Research estimates that more than half of all people with congestive heart failure will survive for 5 years after diagnosis. About 35% will survive for 10 years.
Shortness of breath with activity or when lying down. Fatigue and weakness. Swelling in the legs, ankles and feet. Rapid or irregular heartbeat.
ACE inhibitors
Angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitors work by relaxing and opening up your blood vessels, which makes it easier for your heart to pump blood around the body. Examples of ACE inhibitors include ramipril, captopril, enalapril, lisinopril and perindopril.
Heart failure mainly occurs in older people. It usually first arises after the age of 65, and the risk increases with age. More than 10% of people over the age of 70 have heart failure. It is equally common in men and women.
Heart failure (HF), also known as congestive heart failure (CHF), is a complex clinical syndrome characterized by the heart's inability to pump blood effectively due to structural or functional impairments.
Life expectancy can vary depending on factors like age, medical history, and treatment options. On average, life expectancy is about two years after diagnosis of heart failure. In Stage D heart failure, life expectancy is typically less than a year.
Sudden cardiac arrest is a common cause of dying in your sleep. Obstructive sleep apnea can raise the risk of dying while sleeping. Heart attacks during sleep may cause chest pain, shortness of breath, and sweating.
Three early warning signs of heart failure include persistent fatigue/weakness, shortness of breath (especially with activity or lying down), and swelling (edema) in your legs, ankles, and feet, often accompanied by rapid weight gain from fluid buildup, all signaling your heart isn't pumping efficiently enough. Other key indicators are a chronic cough (sometimes with pink mucus) and heart palpitations.
Foods to avoid with heart failure include those high in sodium, saturated fat, and cholesterol, as well as simple carbs and processed foods. Alcohol and caffeine should be limited as well to better maintain great heart health.
Cardiologists generally advise avoiding processed meats, sugary drinks and sweets, and foods high in trans fats and sodium, like most fried foods and salty snacks, because they raise bad cholesterol, blood pressure, and inflammation, significantly increasing heart disease risk. Focusing on whole foods and limiting these culprits is key for heart health.
In other words, it is normal to feel thirsty when you have heart failure. At the same time, it is very important to prevent dehydration because being dehydrated means your heart has to work harder to pump blood. This can cause your heart to beat faster, cause an irregular heartbeat or even palpitations.