Dementia and heart failure

[Orangesandlemons77]

Dad is 79 and has had dementia a couple of years. Living in sheltered accommodation with carers 3 times a day at present.

He had an Xray of the chest for wheezing / coughing and it has shown an enlarged heart and GP has said heart failure, he already has Afib and on blood thinners. Now they want to give him tablets for this too.

Just wondering what to expect. His mobility is already not great and he uses a walker. Thanks.

What to expect in what sense?

Treating the heart failure should give him more energy and reduce the breathing problems. What type of dementia? I wouldn't expect there to be much direct interaction between the conditions unless it's vascular dementia (if it is, there's a possibility the heart treatment could help slow that a little).

Depending on the details of treatment he may need carefully regulated fluid intake - which dementia can make more difficult.

Thanks, I think it is mixed dementia. I mean what to expect in terms of prognosis. I'm far away and can't really ask the GP.

Heart failure is a strange name for the condition- it kinda sounds like death is imminent. But someone your father's age could well live 3-5 years with treated heart failure.
That's an average- it will also depend on how advanced it is, and his general state of health.
So, not a lot might change for a while, if he's treated.
Or things may go downhill faster.
I assume the carers give him his medication. Will they call a Dr, or call you, if there are any sudden changes?

what to expect in terms of prognosis

Absolutely impossible to say, on the information here. Heart failure and dementia both cover an enormous range. Even a doctor with all the test results to hand would be using a significant amount of guesswork.

Mil had this, she died 3 months later but originally she was told 2 years in an otherwise healthy person. She had diabetes too so was unlikely to survive the 2 years,

Thanks. Yes he has a call buzzer thing which is connected to someone who comes. he's in Scotland I'm in England, also carers 3 times daily and family nearby pop in.

he seems to be getting recurring chest infections and antibiotics, unsure if that is related. Waiting on a care home place. He's in council sheltered housing.

Thanks for replying

Thanks

@Orangesandlemons77
Chest infections might or might not be related.
Heart failure can lead to fluid on the lungs, which increases the likelihood of chest infections. If the heart failure is treated with diuretics, this may improve, sometimes markedly. But, they improve the fluid balance by causing more urination, which can be an issue for someone with reduced mobility. Some men start to use a lidded bottle (available from disability store or some chemists), rather than having to rush to the loo all the time.
Good luck.

Ok that reminds me they said something about fluid on the lungs on the X-ray, I think (I heard about it from my relative and could ask them again)

Thanks for the reply.

Yes he's already having problems with incontinence and refusing to wear the Tena pants causing more problems and cleaning so guess that will get worse.