How many years can a person live with heart failure?

In general, there is no fixed standard for the life expectancy of heart failure patients. With standardized treatment and stable condition, some patients may survive for 5 to 10 years or even longer, while those with severe or poorly controlled disease may have a shorter survival period. If concerned, it is recommended to seek medical advice early. The detailed analysis is as follows:

If patients actively cooperate with treatment after diagnosis, consistently take prescribed medications, control salt intake, avoid excessive fatigue, and effectively manage underlying conditions such as hypertension and diabetes, maintaining relatively stable cardiac function without frequent acute episodes, their survival period can be significantly prolonged. Some patients in this category may maintain normal daily lives for many years.

However, if patients do not receive standardized treatment, or have severe structural heart abnormalities, recurrent acute exacerbations of heart failure, frequently experience symptoms such as shortness of breath and leg swelling, and develop complications like liver or kidney dysfunction, their physical tolerance will gradually decline. In such cases, life expectancy is notably shortened, requiring more aggressive interventions to improve prognosis.

Heart failure patients need regular follow-up visits to monitor cardiac function and key health indicators, strictly adhere to medical instructions when adjusting treatment plans, and seek immediate medical attention if symptoms such as worsening chest tightness or shortness of breath occur. This helps prevent delays in treatment and maximizes both survival duration and quality of life.