heart failure - what to expect

[Costacoffeequeen]

hi, my 98 year old uncle has been diagnosed with heart failure. His lungs are very congested and he can only eat soft foods. He has always been very active but is now too breathless to move much. I have never heard of heart failure and am wondering if anyone can tell me what to expect

Thank you

[EU95PTM]

Hello and welcome. Heart failure means that the heart is unable to pump blood around the body as well as it should. Can I suggest you have a look at the Pumping Marvellous website. They are a brilliant patient-led charity specifically for heart failure patients. You’ll find lots of information about HF on the internet but stick to Pumping Marvellous, The British Heart Foundation or NHS websites.

[Costacoffeequeen in reply to EU95PTM]

thank you I will have a look

[Hidden]

Hello there. I was diagnosed with severe heart failure at 35 years old. I also never really knew much about heart failure but I have read that its worst outlook than most cancers these days. However it can be managed with meds. The heart is failing to pump efficiently to the body's needs. There is different levels to it and usually declines with time.

[RufusScamp]

I was diagnosed three years ago with severe heart failure when I developed congested lungs. They were quickly cleared, and I was put on a few meds. I had a pacemaker fitter a couple of years ago, and was discharged by my cardiologist last year.

If they can sort your uncle's lungs, he should see quite an improvement. If he has reached 98, he must be quite tough!

If he can move about a little, it might help, but you are best talking to his medical team, who will know more about his condition.

[Aerobicqueen]

Bless him. 98, he must be made of very strong stuff....but still such a shock. But, there is hope. My mum was 86 and hospitalised 9 days as fluid congestion badly affected lungs, kidneys and liver. With medication, now living a great life again, but did take many months to get there. Am sending positive thoughts and best wishes to your uncle.

[Costacoffeequeen]

thank you everyone. I will have a word with his medical team. He smoked for over 80 years and was injured in world war 2 so yes I think that he's made of strong stuff! I understand what heart failure means now