My dad is 52 years old. He had his first heart attack of 3 - 9 years ago. He is still very active although he has had 2 open heart surgeries (6 bipasses) a diffibrillator (sp?) & has bradycardia. He pumps 19. He asks his doctor all the time what his life expectancy is because of such a low number. His dr replies, "I treat patients... not numbers". I respect that & am grateful for his response. But just the other night I took my dad to the ER because of problems he was having & the ER doctor told him that she gives him less than a year. My dad did ask but she shouldn't have told him that. After all... it was her first time seeing him. Now my dad is depressed more than he was & is worried even more that his time is near. He's always been aware that his life will end sooner than most but now it's more of a reality. I've tried looking on the internet but am not very good at it. Can someone please tell me what the statistics are for someone in my dad's conditition? Thank you!
2007-03-12 12:37:14 · 8 answers · asked by Anonymous in Health ➔ Diseases & Conditions ➔ Heart Diseases
as a medical doctor , nobody can determine the length one has to live, I don't believe in telling patients the length of time they have to live because it puts them in a frenzy that is not right. In my opinion the ER doctor is not a cardiologist and she doesn't know as much as the cardiologist. I have great faith in the Dr. that he sees now. Don't let this doctor put things in your head that is false. My opinion is to live life and enjoy regardless what the circumstances are. The reason why I say this is because you say that he is very active and tell him to continue to be active, this is good for his heart, not to worry and to enjoy life. I've seen the patients of my husband bounce back from this. Your father is a young man who has a very caring, loving, daughter and a supportive family and that what counts. The man upstairs has a plan and he knows when people on this earth come and go. Not a doctor. The most important thing are not the stats, but love, support, and hope and joy your family brings to his life everyday and that's what counts. :O)
2007-03-12 12:55:16 · answer #1 · answered by poshbaby24 5 · 1⤊ 0⤋
I could quote you numbers, but I do not think it would be helpful. When numbers are quoted, they are based on averages and trends of large groups of people with a similar identifying factor (like an ejection fraction of 20%) - historically.
Fortunately we have ever-improving medications and treatment options. As well, your Dad might begin to adopt different lifestyle changes - like stopping smoking, for instance. In short, what happened in the past may not be an excellent indication of what will happen in the future - especially if you are trying to isolate a single person's prognosis.
The only reason a medical professional might have such a discussion as you describe, is when really all of the treatment options have been exhausted and palliative care would be a more appropriate direction - or if a patient were entirely oblivious to the seriousness of their condition and were actively (unwittingly) making their condition worse.
I would put stock in your cardiologist's words - he treats patients, not numbers. Which of course is a pleasant way to say your Dad's condition isn't great, but we are far from calling it quits. And by the way, I have seen people who by all rights should have passed 20 years ago, who are still very lively souls...and so has your Dad's cardiologist.
I might add that depression is a very important additive factor in reducing expected life span. If your Dad is not being treated for his depression, it may be very much worth his while to discuss it with his primary physician.
I hope this helps. Good luck.
2007-03-12 14:55:27 · answer #2 · answered by c_schumacker 6 · 1⤊ 0⤋
You're right, the ER doctor should NEVER have said that to him. He seems to have a very sick heart, which does put him at increased risk of death. But honestly, what is more important in determining someone's life expectancy is how active they are. For example, someone who is bed/chair bound for the majority of the day is going to live significantly less time that someone who walks around the block a few times every day.
I know you want numbers, but there really isn't any way to tell. All he needs to do is being aggressive about his medical care, take his medicines as prescribed, and be as active as he can. You guys (actually everyone, really) should also talk about what he wants done if his heart stops, or he stops breathing - would he want someone to call a code blue?
Good luck to you, your dad, and the rest of your family.
2007-03-12 12:48:51 · answer #3 · answered by Wondering 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
My dad also had many heart attacks and (7) and bypass surgery. AT age 52 he was put on the transplant list and recieved a new heart. he lived to be 64( he died Jan 2nd). And he did not die from heart complications. You need to see a good cardio thorasic doctor. The ER doctor should have never said anything like that... Do not give up !! Get the help he needs!! 52 Is too young!
2007-03-12 12:50:18 · answer #4 · answered by GI 5 · 2⤊ 0⤋
I am a physician and not knowing your father's circumstances or complete medical history I believe it would be improper for me to tell him how long he had. Please keep in mind that ER docs are not the geniuses you see on TV since my specialty is in another area I will just say that they are telephone operators with a medical license (they refer you to a cardiologist or a surgeon or an obsterician etc). Treat and street so to speak. Before any ER docs respond angrily let me also say that there are many smart and responsible ER docs out there and they would never say anything that was said to your father.
What you should tell your father is that no one's opinion counts not even his own doctor. Who cares how long anyone lives if that life is depressing and unfulfilling. He should take each day as a gift and live each day to its fullest because honestly how long do any of us have? I don't know and neither does anyone else.
2007-03-12 15:39:02 · answer #5 · answered by versedgiver 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I'm going to assume that when you say, " he pumps 19" that you mean that his heart ejection fraction is about 20%.
I have seen people live for 5 years with a 10% ejection fraction. Nobody can predict how long someone will live because every "body" is different!
2007-03-12 13:15:02 · answer #6 · answered by kana121569 6 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Doctors are not God, Only when God gets ready to take Him will He be taken, my dad went through the same thing in 1980 and He has had heart attacks and open heart surgery and lived till 2004, so just keep stress off of Him and have Him to go to Jesus in prayer, and ask the Lord to heal him, Jesus will and can heal Him...Go to a church and have a pastor and 2 or more pray for Him, God can and will heal, It dose not matter what it is, God speed and May the Lord bless you and your Dad, God bless the USA and Israel and all
2007-03-12 12:53:31 · answer #7 · answered by patricia 5 · 2⤊ 1⤋
Only your Dad's cardiologist knows his condition well enough to make an educated guess as to life expectancy. I'm sorry that yor Dad is going through this. Take care.
2007-03-12 12:53:49 · answer #8 · answered by Neil L 6 · 1⤊ 0⤋