How long can a person with heart failure live?

The first thing we should know is which heart failure, that is, when the heart does not pump blood efficientlythey can have different origins and go through different phases.

It can also be occasional or chronic. Each heart patient will start an in-depth dialogue with the cardiologist to find out about his condition, the treatment to follow and the goals to be achieved.

The Mayo Clinic page in the USA mentions two classifications of the degree of heart diseasewhich together are approved by all cardiologists.

One is established by the New York Heart Association and another by the American College of Cardiology/American Heart Association.

Degrees of heart disease

According to the article from the prestigious American clinic, the classification established by the New York Heart Association includes four classes:

• Class 1. There are no symptoms.
• Class 2. Daily activities are carried out without difficulty, but when you make effort you feel shortness of breath or fatigue.
• Class 3. It becomes difficult to carry out daily activities.
• Class 4. There is shortness of breath even at rest (this is the most serious category).

Regarding the classification of the American College of Cardiology/American Heart Association, this entity speaks of four phases:

• Phase A. There are no symptoms but there are risk factors.
• Phase B. There are heart diseases without symptoms.
• Phase C. There are heart disease, signs and symptoms of failure.
• Phase D. Advanced heart failure requiring specialized treatments.

What life expectancy does a person with heart failure have?

A publication on the Medical News Today website answers this question taking into account the different stages of the disease. We see.

We have already said it no symptoms occur until stage C, now let’s add an important fact: in the journey from one stage to another (from stage A to B and so on up to D) it is estimated that 5 years of life (or more) are lost. In the case of Stage D, the condition may require a transplant or even palliative care.

• Phase A. Cardiac dysfunction does not occur, but there is a high probability of developing it if it exists chronic hypertension, diabetes or coronary heart disease. These patients do not have problems with the structure of the heart but may have symptoms of these other conditions.

• Phase B. There’s a reduction of the pumping function of the heart which produces an enlargement of the left ventricle but does not yet present symptoms. It could be the result of a previous undetected heart attack.

• Phase C. Symptoms of underlying coronary heart disease appear, such as fatigue or dyspnea due to left ventricular or pumping chamber dysfunction. This level also includes people who no longer have symptoms because they are being treated.

• Phase D. The heart disease is advanced and it shows symptoms even at rest. In this case, you may need anything from mechanical circulatory support to transplant or palliative care.

How to prevent or delay the progression of the disease

In addition to professional assistance, it is always there resources in our hands avoid or delay the transition from one stage to another.

1) maintain a healthy weight. It is important to consult the cardiologist what our ideal weight would be.

2) Do exercises regularly. The American Heart Association recommends 150 minutes of moderate exercise each week (consult your cardiologist for a personalized plan).

3) Stress control. Meditation, psychotherapy and relaxation techniques can help.

4) Heart-healthy diet. Eat foods low in trans fats, high in whole grains, and low in sodium and cholesterol.

5) Regular blood pressure monitoring. Use home blood pressure monitors to keep a continuous and regular record at home.

6) Vaccines. Make sure you are up to date on flu and pneumococcal pneumonia vaccines.

7) Control risk factors. These include hypertension, smoking, alcohol and drug use and diabetes.