When i said should be left alone ...... I meant should not be left alone, someone should stay with him at all times.
I don't have alot of answers for you but can sympathize. I'm very confused about my moms condition as well (posted yesterday). There seems to be alot of "unknowns" and you probably need to go w/ your dad to the Dr and ask lots of questions. Have a list and try to find out as much as possible...what medications work best, how long to try them before trying something new, is a pacemaker an option?, what is the prognosis?, etc... I've read post on here where lots of people have a great ending and their hearts get stronger. Lets hope thats the case for your dad but you all need to know exactly what your dealing with! Also, if there is a finacial strain you should contact disability, health & human svc, local food bank, etc to get some help. Good Luck.
Thank You, I don't want to ask all of these questions in front of my dad. These are things he may not want to know, and probably would worry him even more. The DR. already said pacemaker wouldn't help him right now, and he is too weak for surgery. I hope his heart does get stronger. I just don't completely understand all of this yet, and the DR. did completely explain it. I am paying his bills right now for him and he is signing up on disability, it will just take a little longer I guess. Hope every thing goes good with your mom, and will be praying for you all. Thanks again, and good luck to you both. Stephanie
Here is a website with a lot of information: http://www.****.***
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Cardiomyopathy is disease of the heart muscle. The heart will eventually become so weak that it will not be able to pump blood to organs and rest of the body. My mom had Cardiomyopathy due to radiation from breast cancer in the 1980 along with valve and artery blockage. She had a very weak heart. She had open heart surgery to replace the Mitral valve and repair the tricuspid valve. Her organs shut down after surgery and she survived 21 days. Her ejection factor was 35%. If she didn't have the surgery she would have survived only days because she was turning blue. Blue lips, ears, nose, ankles, feet, hands. If I would have known this, I would have tried to talk her out of surgery. Her heart was too weak for surgery.
Make sure that he takes his medications correctly as the doctor prescribes and avoids salt as much as possible. Does he has a pacemaker? My mom had a pacemaker for 12 years.
Your dad is so young, he should be able to get on a heart transplant list. Are all his organs in good condition? Any diabetes?
Take care, spend a lot of time with your dad, and see if you can get him on the list. The ejection factor can drop very suddenly, so frequent echo's (at least every 3 months) will diagnosis if it drops.
Deb
Did the doctor suggest your Dad be implanted with an ICD? More and more, doctors are recommending that patients with EF below 35% be considered for an ICD. That is definitely a question for the doctor. It is important that he take his medication, restrict his salt and liquid intake and follow the doctor's instructions. Many people experience improvement so try not to worry. You will need your Dad's permission to talk with his doctor. Do you think he would be OK with that? You may want to suggest to your Dad that you would like to find out more about his meds, and what he can do to improve his condition on his own.
I am very sorry to hear about your mother. My prayers are with you also. ICD? I am very new to this and don't know what that means. I do know that the DR. said that his heart was too weak for surgery. He also has panic attacks, which scare me. They put stress on his heart. He has no diabetes. The Dr didn't mention the transplant list. I read about it on the internet, and it almost seems impossible and a very long shot. I don't know nothing about his other organs, nothing mentioned of them. They just said that there was absolutelly no blockage in his heart, just reallly weak. I don't know if he would be ok with me talking too his DR. alone because he would say what is there that i don't know about and worry him more. Does a low heart rate go along with this? His runs in the low 50's.
So, this does mean what I thought it would? It is very bad?
Thank you all for your help. Any other infromation would be great. Thanks again so very much.
Stephanie
It is a serious condition, but it is often manageable.
An ICD is an implantable cardiac defibrillator. There is research that strongly supports ICDs for people with low EFs. I'm thinking your Dad's doctor is waiting to see how well medication alone works.
Maybe you could ask your Dad if you can go to his next appointment just so you're sure you both understand how to best manage his condition. Don't forget, many people do quite well with medication and lifestyle changes (diet, etc). My Dad had bypass surgery (4 grafts) and his EF was in the low to mid 20's for years. After his ICD implant (2007) his EF rose to 42%. The doctor is conservative so he wants to reserve judgment until the 2nd followup echo. However, he feels there has been improvement!