Heart failure, also known as congestive heart failure, is a serious condition that affects the heart’s ability to pump blood to other parts of the human body. It is a global health problem, causing significant economic and social burdens. In Vietnam, with the increase in life expectancy and the prevalence of cardiovascular diseases such as hypertension, diabetes, and coronary artery disease, the number of people suffering from heart failure is also increasing.
Understanding the average life expectancy and factors affecting the lifespan of heart failure patients in Vietnam is crucial for raising community awareness, improving treatment, and patient care. Knowledge about heart failure prognosis, heart failure life span, heart failure survival rate, heart failure life expectancy prediction, and heart failure life expectancy will help patients and their families prepare better. Let’s delve deeper into this article with My Auris.
How long do people with heart failure live?
According to medical studies, from the time of heart failure diagnosis, approximately 50% of patients can live for more than 5 years. Notably, up to 25% of patients extend their lifespan beyond 25 years. However, the life expectancy of those affected by the disease also depends on many important factors.
According to guidelines from AHA/ACC and ESC, heart failure is classified into 4 stages from A to D. Concurrently, the New York Heart Association (NYHA) also divides the disease into 4 classes (I – IV) based on the severity of symptoms and the patient’s exercise capacity.
Generally, the prognosis for heart failure worsens in later stages. Patients with severe heart failure typically have a shorter life expectancy compared to those in milder stages.
Co-existing underlying conditions such as hypertension, diabetes, coronary artery disease, or myocarditis can reduce the quality of life for heart failure patients and shorten their lifespan. Furthermore, the ability to control and treat these conditions directly impacts the patient’s additional years of life.
Establishing effective treatment regimens by a team of highly specialized doctors plays a decisive role in improving prognosis. Patients should be monitored by experienced cardiologists to better manage the disease and extend their lifespan.
A proper heart failure care regimen – including scientific nutrition, adequate rest, and treatment adherence – will help improve the quality of life for heart failure patients, boost their resistance, and actively support long-term treatment.
How long do patients with end-stage heart failure live?
End-stage heart failure (NYHA Class D heart failure) means the heart is no longer able to pump enough blood to meet the body’s needs, even at rest. Heart failure symptoms become severe, including severe shortness of breath, edema, prolonged fatigue, and chest pain. Heart failure complications such as arrhythmias, liver, and kidney damage also frequently occur.
Some studies indicate that the average life expectancy for patients with end-stage heart failure is about 6 months to 2 years. However, many people live longer thanks to advancements in heart failure treatment and patient care.
Self-assessment steps:
Monitor symptoms: Record the frequency and severity of shortness of breath, edema, and fatigue.
Measure blood pressure, pulse: Regularly check these indicators at home.
Monitor weight: Sudden changes in weight can be a sign of fluid retention.
Can heart failure be cured?
Currently, there is no complete cure for heart failure. However, with modern treatment methods, many patients can significantly improve their quality of life and extend their lifespan. Heart failure treatment includes medication (such as ACE inhibitors, diuretics), healthy lifestyle changes (diet, exercise), and in some cases, surgery (e.g., implanting an implantable cardioverter-defibrillator).
Average life expectancy of heart failure patients in Vietnam
It is difficult to provide an exact figure for the average life expectancy of heart failure patients in Vietnam. Statistical data on this disease is limited, and actual life expectancy depends heavily on various factors, including: the stage of heart failure (heart failure classification), co-existing underlying conditions (such as hypertension, diabetes, valvular heart disease, arrhythmias, coronary artery disease, myocardial infarction…), the severity of the disease, overall health status, access to high-quality healthcare services, adherence to treatment regimens, and most importantly, the patient’s quality of life.
Global studies show that the life expectancy of heart failure patients varies significantly depending on the disease stage. Patients in the early stages can live for many years with a good quality of life if treated promptly and adhering to the regimen. Conversely, end-stage heart failure often has a poor prognosis, short lifespan, and severely impacted quality of life. The survival time for individuals with end-stage heart failure can be measured in months or even weeks. Heart failure survival rates gradually decrease with each stage. Therefore, predicting heart failure life expectancy and heart failure life span requires a comprehensive assessment by a cardiologist.
Factors affecting the life expectancy of heart failure patients
The life expectancy of individuals with heart failure depends on many factors such as: the cause of the disease, heart failure stage, ejection fraction, genetic factors, age, gender, co-existing conditions, level of exercise capacity, and the effectiveness of heart failure treatment. Understanding these factors helps predict the prognosis of heart failure and improve the quality of life for patients.
Life expectancy prognosis by heart failure stage
When diagnosed with heart failure, the first question patients often ask is: “How much longer can I live?”. The answer will vary depending on the disease stage at diagnosis:
- Stage A (pre-heart failure): Patients are at risk of developing heart failure due to factors such as diabetes, hypertension, early coronary artery disease, or a family history of cardiomyopathy.
- Stage B: The heart has structural abnormalities but no symptoms have appeared. This is common in people with a history of myocardial infarction or valvular heart disease.
- Stage C: Patients have developed heart failure symptoms such as shortness of breath, fatigue, swollen legs, or difficulty breathing when lying down.
- Stage D: Advanced heart failure, despite optimal treatment.
The 5-year survival rates by stage are as follows:
| Stage | 5-year survival rate |
| A | 97% |
| B | 95.7% |
| C | 74.6% |
| D | 20% |
Life expectancy prognosis by age
Age is a crucial factor affecting mortality rates and the risk of hospitalization for heart failure. Elderly individuals are generally more susceptible to heart failure and at higher risk of severe complications.
A clinical study showed that patients aged 20–44 had a lower mortality rate. However, the mortality rate was 3.9% after 30 days, 12.4% after 1 year, and 27.7% after 5 years.
Additionally, 78% of heart failure patients under 65 years old live for more than 5 years, whereas only 49% of patients over 75 years old reach this milestone.
Life expectancy prognosis by gender
Gender also affects the life expectancy of heart failure patients. Women generally live longer than men when diagnosed with non-ischemic heart failure. However, after menopause, the risk of reduced life expectancy increases due to factors such as:
- Hypertension
- Valvular heart disease
- Diabetes
- Coronary artery disease
Life expectancy prognosis by exercise capacity
Impaired exercise capacity is one of the important signs of heart failure. Patients often experience shortness of breath and fatigue, affecting their quality of life and increasing the risk of mortality.
The 3-year survival rate for individuals with poor exercise capacity is only 57%, compared to 93% for those with normal endurance. Factors such as anemia, obesity, or musculoskeletal disorders also affect exercise capacity.
Life expectancy prognosis by Left Ventricular Ejection Fraction (LVEF)
Ejection fraction is an indicator that reflects the pumping efficiency of the left ventricle. Normal values range from 50-70%. If LVEF is below 40%, the risk of mortality due to cardiomyopathy and heart failure increases.
Mortality rates by LVEF level:
| LVEF (%) | Mortality Rate |
| 51% | |
| 16–25% | 41.7% |
| 26–35% | 31.4% |
| 35–45% | 25.6% |
However, a 2017 study showed that the 5-year survival rate for all hospitalized heart failure patients was only about 24.6%, regardless of LVEF level. A 2019 analysis also found no significant difference in the 5-year survival rate between groups with LVEF above and below 40%.
Life expectancy prognosis by co-existing conditions
The presence of co-existing conditions such as coronary artery disease, diabetes, COPD, obesity, and hypertension can reduce the life expectancy of heart failure patients. One study showed that COPD increases the risk of mortality by an additional 16% in heart failure patients.
Additionally, 20–40% of heart failure patients also have type 2 diabetes, which increases the risk of serious complications. Notably, about 10% of patients have not yet been diagnosed with diabetes despite being at high risk.
Heart Failure Treatment Methods: A Comprehensive Guide
The goal of treatment is to improve heart function, reduce symptoms, prevent heart failure complications, and enhance quality of life, extending the patient’s lifespan (Heart failure life span). Treatment methods include:
Medication Treatment
ACE inhibitors: Help dilate blood vessels, reducing the burden on the heart.
Angiotensin II receptor blockers (ARBs): Have similar effects to ACE inhibitors, used for patients who cannot tolerate ACE inhibitors.
Diuretics: Help remove excess water and sodium from the body, reducing edema and the burden on the heart.
Beta-blockers: Reduce heart rate and the heart’s pumping force, helping to reduce the burden on the heart.
Medications for irregular heart rhythms: Adjust arrhythmias if present.
Cardiotonic drugs: Strengthen the heart’s contractility.
Digoxin: A cardiotonic drug that helps strengthen the heart’s contractile force.
Non-pharmacological Treatment
Healthy diet: Reduce salt, saturated fats, and cholesterol.
Regular exercise: Gentle, consistent exercise helps improve cardiovascular health.
Lose weight if overweight or obese: Reduces the burden on the heart.
Quit smoking: Tobacco causes severe damage to the cardiovascular system.
Stress management: Stress negatively affects cardiovascular health.
Interventional procedures
Implantable Cardioverter-Defibrillator (ICD) implantation: Used to treat dangerous arrhythmias.
Stent placement: Widens narrowed arteries due to coronary artery disease.
Coronary artery bypass graft (CABG) surgery: Creates new blood pathways to bypass blocked arteries.
Ventricular assist device (VAD) implantation: Supports the heart’s pumping function.
Heart transplant: The last resort when other methods are no longer effective.
Link between underlying conditions
Hypertension, diabetes, and the progression of heart failure
Hypertension increases the burden on the heart, forcing it to work harder to pump blood throughout the body. Over time, this weakens the heart muscle, leading to heart failure. Similarly, diabetes damages blood vessels, including those supplying the heart. This damage reduces the heart’s ability to receive blood and oxygen, contributing to the development of heart failure. Both conditions promote fibrosis and hardening of the arteries, affecting cardiovascular system function.
Impact on life expectancy and recovery
The presence of hypertension and diabetes not only increases the risk of heart failure but also worsens its prognosis. Heart failure patients with co-existing hypertension and diabetes generally have a shorter lifespan and poorer recovery rates compared to those with heart failure alone. The heart failure life span, heart failure patient life expectancy, and heart failure survival rate are all severely affected. Predicting heart failure life expectancy becomes more difficult and largely depends on the severity of underlying conditions and treatment response. End-stage heart failure, in this case, often carries a poor prognosis and short survival time. Heart failure complications also occur more frequently and are more severe.
Managing underlying conditions to extend life expectancy
To improve the life expectancy and quality of life for heart failure patients, effectively controlling hypertension and diabetes is crucial. This includes:
Adhering to treatment regimens: Using ACE inhibitors, diuretics, and diabetes medications as prescribed by a doctor.
Healthy diet: Reduce salt, saturated fats, sugar, and increase consumption of green vegetables and fruits.
Regular exercise: Moderate exercise helps improve cardiovascular health.
Maintain a healthy weight: Obesity increases the burden on the heart.
Manage stress: Stress can increase blood pressure.
Real-world experience and life expectancy prognosis for heart failure patients at different stages
Stages I-II: At this stage, patients often have few or mild symptoms. Survival time largely depends on other factors such as age, underlying conditions (hypertension, diabetes, coronary artery disease…). With appropriate treatment, many patients can live for many years with a good quality of life. Treatment focuses on controlling risk factors, ACE inhibitors, diuretics…
Stages III-IV: This is the severe stage of heart failure. Patients often experience clear symptoms such as shortness of breath, edema, and fatigue. Survival time is shorter compared to earlier stages. The prognosis for end-stage heart failure heavily depends on treatment response, medical care, and overall health status. Treatment methods may include implantable cardioverter-defibrillators, intensive medication, and respiratory support. Survival time can range from a few months to several years.
The real-world experience of heart failure patients is very diverse. Some can live for many years with the disease, while others face serious complications and early mortality. The quality of life for patients also varies, depending on the disease’s severity, treatment responsiveness, and support from family and community.
Left-sided heart failure: Often manifested by shortness of breath on exertion, orthopnea, and dry cough.
Right-sided heart failure: Often causes leg edema and hepatomegaly.
Systolic heart failure: Reduced pumping ability of the heart.
Diastolic heart failure: Reduced relaxation ability of the heart.
How to maintain quality of life
Beyond medical treatment, a healthy lifestyle plays a crucial role in improving the quality of life and extending the lifespan of heart failure patients. This includes:
Diet: Eat plenty of green vegetables, fruits, and whole grains. Limit salt, saturated fats, and sugar. Meal plans should be developed by a nutritionist to ensure adequate nutrient supply for the human body, while also supporting the recovery process.
Exercise: Exercise regularly, but at a moderate intensity, under the guidance of a professional. Exercise helps improve cardiovascular health, strengthen muscles, and lose weight (if necessary). Activities like brisk walking, swimming, and yoga are highly suitable.
Stress management: Stress can exacerbate heart failure symptoms. Find effective ways to manage stress such as meditation, yoga, listening to relaxing music, or engaging in hobbies.
Get enough sleep: Adequate sleep (7-8 hours per night) helps the body recover and regenerate energy.
Control co-existing conditions: If you have hypertension, diabetes, valvular heart disease, arrhythmias, or other cardiovascular diseases, effectively controlling these conditions is crucial to protect your circulatory system and maintain a healthy heart. All contribute to good health and a long life.
