Is it normal for heart failure to stabilise for a while before it gets worse
For example you may have 3 months where it is really playing up with fluid overload and you need to use the glycerol trinitrate spray often.
But then for 6 months you have no symptoms and everything seems fine before it worsens again?
I am living with somebody with heart failure with EF of 18 who had two heart attacks 6 years ago and things seem to be going really well… almost ‘TOO’ well if you know what I mean.
I am scared of being lulled into a false sense of security that he may have years left when the reality could be that his heart could suddenly stop next week?
I know it’s impossible to predict heart failure but if anybody could tell me if symptoms generally do present as intermittent for long periods of time or does heart failure reach a certain point and just go downhill rapidly until death.
Thanks in advance and I hope this made sense - Not the greatest with a computer 😀
Hi.
Great question. Each person may experience heart failure in different ways. Although, heart failure is a condition that may flare up from time to time. The goal of any treatment regimen is to prevent this from happening. Although, sometimes, despite your best efforts, heart failure may flare-up. Most people will experience early warning signs and symptoms before having flare-ups. So, knowing what these are, and how to spot them, and what to do, can give you help your husband prevent these flare-ups from getting. We have a great article on this topic. If you are interested I will post it here for your convenience (https://heart-failure.net/warning-signs). Does this answer your question? John. heart-failure.net community moderator. 
I hear your concern, and as a CHF patient I share it. I have asked my heart failure doctor, and his response was similar to the physician that commented, He said that yes you can treat it, but for many people it is a progressive condition and based on my test results my CHF is progressing. Have you asked the medical team what his long term prognosis is? Morgan (heart-failure.net Moderator)
