In your 70's and having only 20% of your heart.

fancicoffee13

fancicoffee13

Senior Member
Location
Texas
My husband is living on 20% of his heart for the last 9 years. How long can you live like that? He is experiencing weakness and dizziness. He is checking in with his doctors. He is very active, however, he is sleeping in longer, takes longer to do some things. What should I watch out for?
 

fancicoffee13 said:
My husband is living on 20% of his heart for the last 9 years. How long can you live like that? He is experiencing weakness and dizziness. He is checking in with his doctors. He is very active, however, he is sleeping in longer, takes longer to do some things. What should I watch out for?
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You should take an appointment with his cardiologist and ask all those questions directly.

My wife had open heart surgery in 2019 (arterial valve stenosis...had a valve replaced). Am familiar with some of the issues.

I would not take general advice from people like me who know a bit of this and a bit of that...

And everyone's case is slightly different.

I would go to the source and get information directly from his cardiologist.


As to your question of how long can people live in a state of diminished capacity? Well, obviously, the cardiologist is going to give you the most accurate information. But, I will say, generally, that people can live in a diminished state of capacity for a long time.

Some medical issues degrade and get worse. They either get worse slowly or more quickly. Other medical problems are not like that...they do not really get worse over time. They tend to stay roughly the same.

So sorry about the difficulties. We are still dealing with many issues here. Very difficult.

Take care now...
 
JonSR77 said:
You should take an appointment with his cardiologist and ask all those questions directly.

My wife had open heart surgery in 2019 (arterial valve stenosis...had a valve replaced). Am familiar with some of the issues.

I would not take general advice from people like me who know a bit of this and a bit of that...

And everyone's case is slightly different.

I would go to the source and get information directly from his cardiologist.


As to your question of how long can people live in a state of diminished capacity? Well, obviously, the cardiologist is going to give you the most accurate information. But, I will say, generally, that people can live in a diminished state of capacity for a long time.

Some medical issues degrade and get worse. They either get worse slowly or more quickly. Other medical problems are not like that...they do not really get worse over time. They tend to stay roughly the same.

So sorry about the difficulties. We are still dealing with many issues here. Very difficult.

Take care now...
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We did check up with the doctors/cardiologists right away. He just sleeps in more, is not as active as he used to be. We have only been married 2 years and this condition is new to me. Living with only 20% of his heart. I am going to be 70 this year and am in relatively good health. Thank you for your response and information.
 

"He just sleeps in more, is not as active as he used to be."

To me that would seem to be normal for someone who isn't using 80% of his heart. His body is working on only 20% of a normal heart. It has be exhausting for him just doing everyday stuff. 😥
 
Becky1951 said:
"He just sleeps in more, is not as active as he used to be."

To me that would seem to be normal for someone who isn't using 80% of his heart. His body is working on only 20% of a normal heart. It has be exhausting for him just doing everyday stuff. 😥
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Sorry I didn't explain everything. He only has 20% of his heart available to be used. So, he is only functioning on that much of his heart's capacity. He in no way has 80% anymore.
 
Becky1951 said:
"He just sleeps in more, is not as active as he used to be."

To me that would seem to be normal for someone who isn't using 80% of his heart. His body is working on only 20% of a normal heart. It has be exhausting for him just doing everyday stuff. 😥
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He can do the normal everday stuff, goes and gets in his car and stays gone for hours. He is normally very active and for him to be weak, which he has been recently, and dizzy is not normal. So, he is checking in with his doctors about this.
 
Sorry to hear this about your husband. I believe we all slow down as the years come and go. This is normal. No more "party hardy all night". I think you should always get a 2nd and even maybe a 3rd opinion from medical professionals. Even if the husband has slowed down, life is still precious and should be lived to the best that one can. Hopefully, both of you will find, on a daily base, something to make you smile or laugh about each day. Good luck!
 
jujube said:
My dad was down to 16% at the end. He rested a lot, but his doctors said they had never had another patient who did as much as he did on so little capacity.

I think it was his will to live and his abundant zest for life that carried him for so long. Few people knew how bad his condition was. He died at 70, fiesty up til the end.
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Great to hear that! Thanks a lot for the response.
 
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