What Causes Breathlessness After A Heart Attack?

Posted on Wed, 2 Apr 2014

Medically reviewed by Ask A Doctor - 24x7 Medical Review Team

Wed, 2 Apr 2014 Answered on

Wed, 23 Apr 2014 Last reviewed on

Question : My Dad had a heart attack in September. He had a stent put in He is still breathless and stuggles to get to evern the letter box on some days He does not want to do much at all and now tells me he has on 25% function. They are planning to put in a pace maker. What is his long term prognosis he is 72 and has lost over 20 Kg since September and given up alcohol gave up smoking 20 years ago

Answered by Dr. Rakesh Madhyastha (4 hours later)

Brief Answer: Ischemic Heart disease Detailed Answer: Hello Thanks for the query From the details you have given me it looks like your father has suffered a heart attack which has compromised the muscles of the heart, this is causing reduced pumping capacity of the heart. The ejection fraction ( ability of the heart to pump) is 25 % and the normal pumping capacity is >60%. This reduced EF ( ejection fraction) is causing easy fatigueablity and breathlessness. The prognosis of your father is variable, some patients show recovery with increased exercise tolerance and they are eventually able to perform atleast daily activities however most of them continue to have reduced quality of life. Please continue to take all the medications and you could approach your doctor to add Digoxin if he is not already on it. It has shown to improve the quality of life of patients with Ichemic heart disease with heart failure I hope I was of help, if you have any further queries please get back to me. I wish you father good health and a speedy recovery Regards

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar

Follow up: Dr. Rakesh Madhyastha (1 hour later)

Thanks for this the Dr said he has 60% damage to the muscle. What I need to know is how long can they carry on like this 1 year 5 yrs or 10 years. an idea would be good as he lives many thousands of miles away I am a paraplegic and can only make one trip to see him

Answered by Dr. Rakesh Madhyastha (19 hours later)

Brief Answer: Hello Detailed Answer: Thanks for getting back People with reduced Ejection fraction and heart failure have variable prognosis. It depends on various factors like other co morbidities like lung disease, kidney disease, their compliance to treatment, etc. However in our set up, survival at the 3 years is 70% and 5 years is about 50%. Most of the patients live for more than a year I hope I was of help Regards

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Yogesh D