If a person's heart is functioning at only 33% of its capacity, does that mean he/she is close to death?

Answer 1

Based on my experience, "J B" and "Tracy M" gave you good answers.

My experience:

In May I had a heart attack. After that my EF was about 33%. Later in May I had triple bypass surgery. After the surgery but before I got out of the hostpital my EF was 40%. After I got out of the hospital I recuperated for one month, taking some walks when weather permitted, then I went into an exercise program ("phase II" rehabilitation) exercising three times a week for 12 weeks. After that my EF was up to 50%.

Of course, nothing that I have done has "cured" my coronary artery disease. I still have narrowed arteries in my heart and it is entirely possible I will have another heart attack in the future. By following a much better diet, taking my medications and continuing to exercise I have a good chance of postponing that event for quite a few years and, if I do have another heart attack, surviving it.

Answer 2

Not necessarily. I'm assuming you are referring to the person's EF or ejection fraction.

A "normal" EF is between 55-70%. There can be many causes of a reduced heart function or EF:

-Ischemic heart disease (someone who has known coronary artery disease) severe enough to weaken the heart muscle.

-Non-ischemic cardiomyopathy, which can be caused by poorly controlled hypertension, viral illnesses, or chemotherapy, and a few other conditions which can weaken heart muscles.

It does NOT mean they are close to death. It does put them at increased risk for sudden cardiac death and dangerous cardiac arrythmias.

The goal is to fix the cause of the weakened heart muscle, either with medicines, revascularization (angioplasty/stenting or bypass surgery) to restore blood flow to the heart muscle.

Some people recover, some do not. If the heart muscle continues to weaken, some end up on a transplant list.

Hope this helps.

Answer 3

If they push themselves to hard it is possible. The usual cardiac output is about 80% you can never get to 100% just due to the mechanics of the left ventricle.
A decrease in the cardiac output like to 33% may cause the person to start into congestive heart failure (CHF) this is where the fluids in the body start backing up. It will be noticed by ankle swelling and difficulty breathing.

This is not good and requires diuretics like lasix to make the person pee out the excess fluid.
If not the person literally drowns themself to death.

Answer 4

A person can continue to live a long life with a 33% ejection fraction. They may get tired easily, they may not be able to walk very far without getting short of breath or fatigued; they may have to take more naps than usual; they may not be able to do very many activities (such as fixing a meal or washing dishes) without taking breaks. If they do this, they can continue living this way for quite a long while. No one knows when anyone will die. We just need to make the most of each day.

Answer 5

I'm assuming that you are talking about ejection fraction - yes this is a sign of serious heart failure, as a normal heart pumps out 55% - 70%. It means simply that if he/she doens't recieve a heart transplant or artifical heart, that the condition of her heart will deteriorate rapidly until death.

Answer 6

To myself that would depend on the person's will of survival.

Answer 7

Almost

Answer 8

yes