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Dr. Andrew Rynne
MD
Dr. Andrew Rynne

Family Physician

Exp 50 years

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What Does Heart Working At 20% Indicate?

So my Grandma had a massive heart attack like 2 yrs ago and her major artery was 100% blocked so they put stents in her heart. Well she had kidney failure and recovered. Then she s had a couple more minor heart attacks and congestive heart failure. Seemed to be doing fine the past 6 months. Well they were going to put a defibrillator on her heart but she had an infection so they didn t. Now her heart is only working at 20%, what does that mean for her?
Thu, 30 Oct 2014
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Internal Medicine Specialist,  's  Response
Hello welcome to HCM.
I have read your question and understand your concerns.

Your grandma has systolic heart failure. After heart attacks
Heart muscle function is compromised and it can not recover completely.
After multiple attacks usually heart muscle becomes very weak and it can't recover.
Usually normal adult heart has 60% function.
Only 20% function can lead to breathlessness during walking, swelling in legs and multiple symptoms.

Kindly consult a cardiologist and start her on proper treatment of heart failure. Defibrillator will help to reduce incidence of sudden cardiac arrest and arrhythmias (means prevent sudden death)

I hope I have given you satisfactory answer.. Thank you
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What Does Heart Working At 20% Indicate?

Hello welcome to HCM. I have read your question and understand your concerns. Your grandma has systolic heart failure. After heart attacks Heart muscle function is compromised and it can not recover completely. After multiple attacks usually heart muscle becomes very weak and it can t recover. Usually normal adult heart has 60% function. Only 20% function can lead to breathlessness during walking, swelling in legs and multiple symptoms. Kindly consult a cardiologist and start her on proper treatment of heart failure. Defibrillator will help to reduce incidence of sudden cardiac arrest and arrhythmias (means prevent sudden death) I hope I have given you satisfactory answer.. Thank you