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Congestive Heart Failure/Viral Myocarditis 35 yr old male

Posted by mom66 @mom66, 4 days ago

My 35 yr old son who is a fairly fit 6’3 174lb guy, was diagnosed in hospital w/congestive heart failure and viral cardiomyopathy. EFT was 10-15%. He is on a 4 prescription regimen for 90 days at which time he will have a new cardiac ultra sound to ascertain if there is EFT improvement. We’ve not been given much encouragement. I am wondering what his life will look like going forward, ie limitations and shortened life expectancy. Anyone with similar experience and insight at this age ? Also, he is using an Advanced Heart Failure Specialist near Houston and I am not sure how to know if he is getting the best treatment and care … thoughts? Thank you

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gloaming | @gloaming | 4 days ago

I don't know much about CHF, so I'm sorry to be of so little help or encouragement. Perhaps you'll find some answers here:
https://www.verywellhealth.com/congestive-heart-failure-life-expectancy-prognosis-5089374

REPLY
cottagecountry | @cottagecountry | 4 days ago

I am sorry to hear about your son. But, the good news is great advances have been made in the treatment of heart failure.
I, too, have CHF.
I was diagnosed in 2020 with Dilated Cardiomyopathy with LBBB resulting in and stage CHF, as a result of a viral infection.
The first line of treatment is pretty much always a pharmaceutical one mostly because it is the least invasive one. And, for many people, it works quite well.
It worked for me for about 2 years. Then my EF dropped to 19% and it was decided that I needed to have a CRT implanted. (Mine has a defibrillator, as well, because I am at risk of sudden cardiac arrest but some are strictly pacemakers.) It is a type of pacemaker but much more advanced. That was 2 years ago and my quality of life so much better than before. The CRT - Cardiac Resynchronization Device or biventricular pacemaker - has been a revolutionary step forward in the treatment of heart failure. They are, as of yet, not all that common - only about 10% of all cardiac electronic devices are CRTs - but the numbers are growing.
As for limitations with a CRT, I know marathon runners who have CRTs, competitive bicyclists and people who do cross training. As for life expectations, I would be very surprised if he didn't get to live a very long and full life. This is a very active field of research and advances are being made all the time.
Hang in there, mom, and learn all you can about treatments for CHF, including CRTs. They are amazing technology.
All the best to you and your son.

REPLY
1 reply
mom66 | @mom66 | 4 days ago
In reply to @cottagecountry "I am sorry to hear about your son. But, the good news is great advances have..." + (show)
@cottagecountry

I am sorry to hear about your son. But, the good news is great advances have been made in the treatment of heart failure.
I, too, have CHF.
I was diagnosed in 2020 with Dilated Cardiomyopathy with LBBB resulting in and stage CHF, as a result of a viral infection.
The first line of treatment is pretty much always a pharmaceutical one mostly because it is the least invasive one. And, for many people, it works quite well.
It worked for me for about 2 years. Then my EF dropped to 19% and it was decided that I needed to have a CRT implanted. (Mine has a defibrillator, as well, because I am at risk of sudden cardiac arrest but some are strictly pacemakers.) It is a type of pacemaker but much more advanced. That was 2 years ago and my quality of life so much better than before. The CRT - Cardiac Resynchronization Device or biventricular pacemaker - has been a revolutionary step forward in the treatment of heart failure. They are, as of yet, not all that common - only about 10% of all cardiac electronic devices are CRTs - but the numbers are growing.
As for limitations with a CRT, I know marathon runners who have CRTs, competitive bicyclists and people who do cross training. As for life expectations, I would be very surprised if he didn't get to live a very long and full life. This is a very active field of research and advances are being made all the time.
Hang in there, mom, and learn all you can about treatments for CHF, including CRTs. They are amazing technology.
All the best to you and your son.

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Thank you for that! Very helpful information and I live for any encouraging news!
I will do some research on CRT now.

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