CHD Life Expectancy

[Seaguller]

Hi All. Something been bothering me for a few weeks. After 25 problem-free years, I had a review last June which identified reduced EF. I had a cardiac MRI in September and then phone review with my consultant in January. He had started me on Bisoprolol and in review said that there was improvement to 52% EF and no sign of heart failure. Naturally I was pleased. He then spoke of my recent mother's death as he was treating both of us. He then said, "unfortunately people with your condition do have a reduced life expectancy." He then said, "oh, but I'm talking about decades, not months or years." I have been a CHD patient from birth and never been told of this before. Why would he say something like this, particularly after my Mum has just died? If my condition was terminal and imminent I could understand, but decades??? I am now fixated on dying young as well as still grieving my Mother. Any thoughts?

[Chipmonks]

My condolences to you ❤ Decades is good and yes your doctor choice of words was very poor indeed. Take good care

[Heyjude31]

A very unhelpful and unnecessary thing to say. . Remember decades is the word to concentrate on. If it is bothering you I would speak with the doctor again and ask him to clarify. Not sure if it would help you, but it might do. Please take good care. Judi

[10gingercats]

Why do doctors do this?It hapened to me in January so I presume it is not rare.

[Seaguller in reply to 10gingercats]

How long did you get?

[10gingercats]

I was not exactly in your situation. My son was told in my presence for the first time the severity of my heart failure and my regurtitating tricuspid valve.......as though I was deaf and stupid and not there. I went into a depression for 6 months .The cardiologist just passed on to the next bit and said to my so,:well, she may well die of something else,.

[690704]

All I can say is don’t dwell on what he said, because they deal with people like us every day of the week I think sometimes they forget they are dealing with people. I too have just recently lost my father to a cardiac arrest which is what I had in 2020 so I understand that it is in the forefront of your mind as it has been with me recently. But I have decided that my dad would want me to live my best life as I’m sure your mum would.

[G345]

Hiya I'm so sorry to hear you lost your mum, for me it was it was the worst thing I've been through and a long journey back to being me again . So for you to lose her and then be told this imformation must be awfull and in such an insensitive way . I hope you have people around you to help you recover , take one day at a time , think of the nice memories you have of your mum and what she would say to you if she wanted to cheer you up . My son is soon to have his op he's 31 it may be tomorrow and I'm going to try my best to encourage him to think positive as far as the future ( even though right now I'm terrified). So if I were you I'd try to not keep yourself in a dark place mentally as things do change medically and improve so why should they not for you , think about how you can have the best health and happiness as if you do have decades better to fill them with time spent living your life and not just existing . If only I could say that to myself🙂. Find new hobbies watch more comedy , reading , music lifts your soul listen to songs that you used to love just be you and take care of your self x best wishes

[Wooodsie]

Hi Seaguller, Drs and consultants become immune to peoples thoughts and feelings, it is part of the jobs, like vets and animals, farmers and pigs, we all get used to the stuff we deal with on a daily basis. This Drs comment was very insensitive, who knows how long he was thinking about. And even if your condition does mean a shorter lifespan, that isn't a guarantee. It may be hard to put his/her throw away comment out of your mind, but you must try. Could you get back in touch with them and ask for clarity, or maybe get some information from another professional? Worrying won't help you- sorry.

[wischo]

Hi, life itself is terminal. I was diagnosed with DCM no heart failure 12 years ago EF 45/50%. Recent EF 55% with treatment and feel grand. I am 71 yrs old and my father died from heart failure at 83 yrs old despite being told in his early 40s that he would die quite young. with the improvemnts in treating these problems I am hoping to exceed that 83 years. To die at 83 in my mind is not dying young and am open to opinions.

[mumsastudent]

First some Consultants -not all thank goodness - don't think before they open their mouths. But what I would say is he referred to decades, plural, not a decade. Please concentrate on that & how many innovative change in medicine, treatment & technology have occurred in the last 20 to 30 years? (or even in the last 2 years - covid may has sprung some positive aspects that may well other conditions in positive ways & very recently the wonderful development in sickle cell treatment) My dad died of heart disease very young & if statins had been around maybe he would be with us now. It was a shock & frightening to hear but please put it aside & live your life - he did say decade-s- & that could be 3 decades or more!!

[Hidden]

A few years ago one of the groups with a focus on heart care had an information table in out leisure centre.I filled in quite a detailed questionaire on a tablet and at the end it gave me my life expectancy.

You could then go back into the answers you had submitted and amend them to see what difference, if any, it would make.

When I took my angina out my life expectancy jumped by about 5 years, I've got to say it didn't surprise me.

[Qualipop]

NO doctor has the ability to tell you what your life expectancy is or by how much it may be shortened. They have no idea what it would normally be. MY husband's family, aunts, mum etc all lived to their late 90s but that doesn't mean he will. I've already passed the age my parents lived to. Medical treatments improve all the time. They simply don't have a crystal ball. Nor do I. I could die tomorrow without warning or I could beat them all and get to 100.

[Silvasava]

Like Wischo I have DCM diagnosed a couple of years ago. My EF was 41%, hopefully will have improved with the medications I am taking. I'll be 76 in a couple of months and I'm hoping to beat my parents and grandparents lifespan of 78!! I've got too much to do yet!