DF Heart failure and AFib progression?

[Fifi1010]

Can anyone with more knowledge tell me more information. My DF had a heart attack around 5 years ago , he has heart failure as a result . He has had fluid round his lungs and now has AFIB. Doctors said his heart is weakening He tries to stay fit and active, I went with him shopping and he seems fine very mobile trying to help me lift things. He's 59, I'm so frightened I'm going to lose my Dad early he seems so young 😥😥. I'm hoping for so much more time with him.

How is his heart failure progressing and what stage is it at now? What medicines is he taking? Is he being followed by cardiology with regular echos ecgs and medicine reviews? Does he smoke, is he overweight, does he eat lots of veg and fish?

My DF has mild heart failure and is in AFib almost 50% of the time, but is 86 and very happy in himself, he swims and walks but cant bend over much without feeling a bit dizzy. HF isnt necessarily life shortening in itself

No he doesn't smoke , not overweight suspect it has a genetic component as his DF died at 52 of a heart attack. He takes a cocktail of medications Eats healthy he was doing well, still exercising his cardiologist said his heart has weakened he's quite guarded about it. Says they want to do cardioversion or a Catheter ablation. He was admitted to hospital about 6 months ago with fluid on the lungs , it's very reassuring to hear your DF is ok at 86. My DF is still working and active I'd like him to take early retirement but he won't.

Have your Dad ask the cardiologist what the chances are of the Afib returning after a cardioversion or an ablation - they often only last for 6 months to a year. That can be good if the Afib is bothering him or exacerbating his HF, but otherwise it might be better to leave well alone. Every time you do a proceedure on the heart there is a chance of a worse outcome. My DF has had 6 cardioversions and 3 ablations since he was 60 ish and they have all worn off.

Ask your DF what his staging is - he might be secretly more worried about it all than he is letting on to you. Many people get scared and then just bury their heads in the sand rather than talking with and leaning on family. He might have early staging and that means there isnt so much to be worried about unless it is progressing rapidly.

I am hoping that one of his drugs is a blood thiner, and I would guess he is probably taking statins too. Its difficult to give more advice without know more information, would he let you go with him to one of his cardiology check ups to "take notes"?