questions about going into heart failure

[oneofsuesylvesterscheerios]

...which is basically what my dad's doctor told me has happened with my dad. We're going to see the doctor together next week but I don't want to ask about it in front of dad.

He had a heart attack 11 years ago but has been healthy since then. A big blood clot was found on his heart a few weeks ago and it looks like this caused a stroke. He's on blood thinners again now and the doc is putting him on ACE-inhibitors (does this sound right?) next week. He's got another ecg and a brain scan booked for next few weeks.

If I spoke to the doc would he be able to tell him how long dad's got left or is it one of those ones where it's 'how long is a piece of string'?

'Going into heart failure' sounds quite drastic - is it?

It does sound very drastic, but isn't necessarily as bad as it sounds.Heart failure is when the muscle of the heart isn't working as effectively as it should. It's very difficult to give you an answer to the how long does he have left - I have seen patients who on paper you would expect to be gasping their last, merrily skipping around a gym, and some who have a lesser degree of impairment struggling with everyday activities. I would look at what he is currently able to do for himself, and aim to support him (if possible) in maintaining that level of independence. Things like losing weight and taking regular exercise will also help. If you ask your GP there may well be BHF heart failure nurses in your area or a cardiac rehab progeramme that he can access for more information and support.
Medication wise, the ACE inhibitors will help to reduce the strain on the heart, so it helps the muscle pump more effectively and reduces the chances of the failure getting worse.
Has he had an ECHO (ultrasound of the heart)this would give the Dr a better idea of the degree of impairment of the heart muscle, and it's always good to get a baseline of his condition - it's then easier to see if medications etc are working effectively.

Thanks for your reply, stan.

Yes I think he's had an echo - this was when they found the clot. I got mixed up - he had the ecg at the GP's and then was referred to the cardio doc where he had the echo. Does this sound right?

I'll be asking the GP if his condition triggers any extra help for him if it's needed. He's very independent (lives alone) but the suspected stroke has limited his mobility. He can get around, using a stick, and community physio are visiting him in the next week or so for an assessment.

The brain scan will also confirm whether it was indeed a stroke (seems highly likely and the cardio doc agrees) and what damage it has caused.

I can't help looking on the bleak side a bit. It seems like the beginning of the end really. He's always been fairly healthy - doesn't smoke, not overweight and has been active up to now. But I guess he's just 'wearing out'.

Don't give up on him just yet!
The stroke and heart failure will in all probability be linked. If the left ventricle isn't pumping effectively then blood can pool and start forming a clot. When the ventricle then gives a decent contraction the clot is forced out and lodges somewhere in the circulatory system. So now the HF is being treated with the blood thinners and ACE inhibitors the chances of futher embolic events are reduced.
It sounds from what you've said that he's making a good recovery if he's home already.
I know where you're coming from on this - my dad is 81 and was diagnosed with heart failure at Christmas. I was so worried that it was the beginning of the end- it's such a shock when a parent is ill.However he is out and about doing exactly as he pleases (much to my mother's dismay)so it really hasn't had much of an impact on his quality of life.I hope you get some reassurance from his GP, and that he keeps well.

sorry if I sounded maudlin, I don't mean to be! I only found out about the heart failure on Friday so it's been sinking in over the weekend and made me feel down.

I think it's mixed in with seeing his struggle walking as he's always been so active and suddenly he looks very frail and every one of his 84 years.

Glad your dad is doing well.