My husband is 66, overweight and due to an accident years ago has a sedentary lifestyle… a recent bnp of 6200…. and within weeks with admitted into hospital was trouble breathing and water retention is his lower leg and lungs….We were told that he has a very weak heart with only 10% functionality.
it has been a very traumatic couple of weeks as he was moved to end of life care….. miraculously he has pulled through and now we are looking at how to manage this…. We are actually very confused that everyone was telling us he had hours to live and now we are being told that he can live for years with 10% functionality….
Has anyone ever been in this position?
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NanceHope
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Sorry to hear your story but also what a story of hope.I can understand why you are confused.
The thing is with heart problems , especially those complicated by poor circulation or obesity, your prospects can change very quickly depending on how well you respond to hospital or critical care.
One moment you could be close to requiring intensive or end of life care , the next with the help of the medical team and your will to keep fighting , you can be off the critical list and with more care your heart can stabilise and improve.
The medical staff, your husband and you with your caring support turned around your husband's life and you should all get a big pat on the back.
10% functionality is low which will have caused your husband's critical status.
But, now he is getting a second chance, and although progress will be very slow and he may still have darker times and need critical care on other occasions he could turn his life about and his heart function will improve as he gets stronger , takes medications and follows strict medical advice.
He will need a lot of support but you will also need to take care of yourself so as he improves in hospital you will need to find out what care, nursing and physio support you can get and accept it all, doing everything yourself doesn't do you any good.
You will also need help from family and friends to encourage your husband to keep up lifestyle changes and do the odd practical jobs , give lifts or just take turns being with him so you can have a break.
Your husband will probably need lifetime care to some level and big lifestyle changes and he may be resistant to some changes so getting the right professional and home support to keep him on the right path is really important to make sure you stay well too.
Stay here as a member. Post with as many questions as you might have or just post to get a bit of moral support from people whom understand what you and your husband are going through when things are getting too much.
The forum has many carers as well as hearties that will help you as you go on.
If you want to read an inspiring story look up BHF member Gardenview and read her full set of posts and you will see that it's actually a common thing to find that at one moment your loved one could be in severe shape but that it can all be turned around in the end.
Take care , be hopeful and get rest when you can, Bee
Thank you so very much for this, my husband is also a brain haemorrhage survivor and it’s not the first time he’s been part of a long recovery. We will get through this..and I’ll stick around with questions and for support. Thanks for your kindness x
Thanks, yes hubby was in hospital 24 weeks after his quadruple bypass and it's been quite a journey. He's been home since June and all he has now is a tracheostomy. Take what help you can get though and some time to yourself x
Ralph had paralysed vocal cords and couldn't eat at all for over 6 months. To start with he had the tube in his nose, but eventually they put a RIG in his tummy and we injected fortisip through that. He came home with that after 24 weeks. At outpatient appointment with SALT they tried him with some blended food and he managed to swallow without choking. He was then on blended for a month, no problem and was even able to swallow his crushed meds in water, so the rig was taken out. Next SALT appointment they tried him with cake and he wolfed it down. So he started more solid food and now eats absolutely anything. He still has his tracheostomy, but has been discharged from SALT and Cardiac dept. He can also speak now he has a speaking valve. He was having to write things for 6 months.Even talk of him having tracheostomy removed later this year.
It's a year since his quadruple bypass on 1st Feb, so slow going, but he's getting there.
Hang in there and take care of yourself as well. It's hard emotionally and can be draining.
Hi, sorry to hear about your husband but there is hope if he wants it.
I had 10%EF almost 7 yrs ago, but with a replacement device and the heart failure meds mine climb to 23%. He has to try and walk at least, and also lose weight, it might be difficult due to fluid retention, but he must try. It’s all up to him though, he has to want to keep going, you can’t do it for him.
The main issue right now is that he has only eaten yoghurts for 4 week….. It’s complex as he lacks motivation due to a brain injury (he can’t help it) from years ago.
When he sits on the edge of the bed, I’ve noticed his skin is mottled and he is exhausted..,so we are taking it slowly. Once back in bed he’s ok and skin back to normal again , but sleeps most of the day.
Ohh, I understand, that is very difficult. Also you do lose your appetite because I did. At least he’s eating something, but a lot of the weight will fall off once the fluid starts to go so he might have more energy. You’re doing a good job. Have they started him on heart failure meds?
I know mine is the same. And that makes you dizzy. The only thing to get blood pressure up is drinking water but because of excess fluid in body we can’t drink too much. At least they are monitoring him. And they do know his medical history. Keep in touch and let us know how he’s getting on.
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confused......is not the word!
Atrial Fibrillation
High BP and perindopril
Awaiting diagnosis 
