Hi, Thanks for writing to Health Care Magic, I am Dr Asad Riaz, I have closely read your question and I understand your concerns, I will hereby guide you regarding your health related problem. What your mother had was coronary artery disease which means blockage of arteries that supply blood to heart muscle. This led to her heart attack which damaged a portion of heart muscle leaving it unable to function. The pumping ability of heart was this reduced which led to lesser blood enteringthe heart being ejected out into the system. This leads to back pooling of this blood into lungs which is the main featuee of a congestive heart failure. A stroke is a similar blockage in arteries but it happens in those supplying the brain leading to damage to a part of brain As for your question, both heart failure and stroke affect the quality of life significantly. She has to be on meds lifelong, will require restriction of salt, a restriction of water intake beyond 1.5 litres a day and may need to be hospitalized for destabilization of her condition if her body comes under any kind of physical stress or illness. You need to follow with her cardiologist and make sure she follows the advice to the letter so that she may live a healthier life without any further complications Also if she is diabetic-it is extremely imparative to have a good control of her sugars I hope this answered your question, if you have more feel free to ask. Regards. Dr.Asad Riaz. General and Family Physician..