What Is The Life Expectancy With Heart Failure? Experts Weigh In

Heart failure is a chronic and serious condition, where the heart muscle cannot pump blood properly. This causes fluid buildup (congestion) in the lungs or body. People often wonder what is the life expectancy of heart failure patients. Today, we will tell you all about it.

To get a better understanding of this, we reached out to experts, Dr Sandeep Chopra, Director Cardiology, Fortis Hospital Ludhiana and Dr Sanjay Bhat, Sr Consultant - Interventional Cardiology, Aster CMI Hospital, Bangalore.

How Long Can Heart Failure Patients Live?

One common query among people is how long can heart failure patients live. Our expert answers this for us. “Life expectancy in heart failure can vary widely from one person to another. It depends on factors such as the stage of the disease, ejection fraction levels, age, associated illnesses and how consistently treatment and lifestyle advice are followed. Today, with better medicines and advanced therapies, many patients are able to live longer and maintain a reasonable quality of life. Early diagnosis and regular medical supervision can make a significant difference in outcomes,” says Dr Chopra.

Shedding more light on this, Dr Bhat explains: “Life expectancy in heart failure can vary a lot depending on the stage of the disease, age, overall health, and how well a person follows treatment. Some people live many years with mild symptoms, while others with advanced heart failure may have a shorter life expectancy. Early diagnosis, proper medicines, and lifestyle changes can help people live longer and feel better.”

According to a 2018 review, published in the Current Opinion in Cardiology journal, the median life expectancy for individuals with a diagnosis of end stage heart failure is 6-12 months. During the last 6 months, a person is likely to require frequent hospital admissions and procedures.

ALSO READ - Ejection Fraction Explained: Know Its Normal Range And What It Means For The Heart

Key Factors Influencing Life Expectancy With Heart Failure

Today, we will explain which factors in heart failure patients determine a person’s life expectancy. “We as doctors usually look at ejection fraction (EF) to understand how strongly the heart is pumping and what the future course of the condition may look like. When EF is low, the risk of complications is generally higher. People with mildly reduced or preserved EF often have a comparatively better outlook, but they still need close and regular monitoring. Many patients may notice symptoms like breathlessness, tiredness, swelling in the legs or reduced stamina. If the condition is managed well, these symptoms can remain stable for long periods. At times, flare ups can happen and may need hospital care,” explains Dr Chopra. 

A 2017 study, published in the BJGP Open journal, brings into focus that heart failure significantly reduces life expectancy, with survival rates dropping to roughly 50% at five years and 30% at ten years. The findings state the following as the key factors which influence life expectancy with heart failure: 

• Advancing age is consistently noted by researchers as the strongest and most significant natural predictor of a shorter lifespan.
• The severity of the heart's pumping weakness, especially how poorly the left chamber pushes blood, heavily limits how long a patient will survive.
• Extremely high levels of specific stress proteins in the blood, which denotes severe heart strain, are major warning signs of a poorer long-term outlook.
• The presence of other serious health complications alongside heart failure, such as kidney disease and blood vessel problems, further minimises overall life expectancy.

Can You Live A Normal Life With Heart Failure? 

Living a normal life with heart failure may not be easy, but it is possible. “With consistent care and simple lifestyle discipline, many people with heart failure are able to continue living active and meaningful lives,” says Dr Chopra.

Adding to this, Dr Bhat says: “In the early stages, people may feel tired, short of breath, or notice swelling in the legs. With good care, many can continue daily activities. In later stages, symptoms may become more frequent, and hospital visits may increase. It is important to understand that heart failure is a long-term condition, but it can be managed well.”

HFrEF vs HFpEF Life Expectancy Difference

A 2017 study, published in the Journal of the American College of Cardiology, analysed hospital records to compare the long-term life expectancy of patients with a weakly pumping heart (HFrEF) versus a stiff, poorly filling heart (HFpEF). 

The findings surprisingly discovered that there is no significant difference in life expectancy between the two conditions. This is because both these groups had a severe “five-year death rate of roughly 75%”. This denotes that having a "preserved" pumping ability (HFpEF) does not offer a survival advantage or better prognosis as compared to a "reduced" pumping ability (HFrEF). The only noteworthy difference in their long-term outcomes was that patients with HFrEF faced a slightly higher risk of readmission to the hospital for heart-specific complications.

NYHA Functional Classification Of Heart Failure

As per the American Heart Association, heart failure can be broken down into 4 stages — A, B, C and D. The most widely used system in this regard is the New York Heart Association (NYHA) Functional Classification. It places patients in one of four classes, depending on their physical activity limitations. The following table describes the classes in depth:

Lifestyle Changes That Can Extend Life Expectancy In Heart Failure Patients

Dr Chopra lists down tips that can help heart failure patients improve their quality of life:

• Taking medicines on time.
• Following a low salt and balanced diet.
• Staying active as advised by the doctor.
• Keeping a check on body weight and going for regular follow ups can make a real difference.
• It is equally important to avoid smoking.
• Limiting alcohol intake.
• Not skipping medicines.
• Cutting down on processed and salty foods.
• Avoiding sudden heavy physical strain. 

Do’s And Don’ts For Heart Failure Patients 

There are some important do’s and don’ts that heart failure patients must keep note of. Dr Bhat lists them down for us.

Do’s:

• Take all medicines regularly, as prescribed by the doctor.
• Eat a healthy diet that is low in salt and unhealthy fats.
• Stay active with light exercise like walking, if the doctor allows.
• Monitor weight daily, as sudden weight gain can mean fluid buildup.
• Go for regular check-ups and report any new symptoms early.
• Manage stress and get enough sleep.

Don’ts:

• Do not skip medicines or change doses without consulting a doctor.
• Avoid too much salt, junk food, and processed food.
• Do not smoke or drink alcohol, as they can worsen the condition.
• Avoid overexertion and listen to your body.
• Do not ignore warning signs like sudden breathlessness, chest pain, or swelling.

ALSO READ - Can Heart Failure Be Reversed? Experts Explain

Conclusion

Life expectancy in heart failure patients depends on different factors such as disease, age, and how well a person follows their treatment. With the right care and support, many people with heart failure can lead a meaningful and active life. Early action and healthy habits make a big difference.