Hi, may I answer your health queries right now ?  Please type your query here..My husband is going in for a heart cath.  He has a recent dx of a-fib, hx of HTN and TIA 10yr ago.  No chest pain or SOB.  He is 58 yrs old, wt approx 230.  Noticed onset irreg HR and increasing edema approx 9 mon ago.  After echo, told has EF 35%.  Father has hx triple bypass, uncles with HTN and early death from CVA.  We understand the possibilities of a stent, ballooning or bypass.  If the cath is negative, what could we expect next?
Hello, With this background history there is a less chance of path being negative. Suppose its negative then the possibility of DCMP is there, which is causing his low heart function. This disease is basically the weakening of heart muscle due to genetic reasons.  He should have a healthy lifestyle like avoiding fatty, oily and high calorie diet. Have low salt diet and monitor blood pressure regularly thrice a day for one week then once or twice a week. Regular exercises like brisk walking, jogging according your capacity at least 30 min a day and 5 days a week. Lots of green leafy vegetables, fruits, fish once or twice a week, avoid meat. Avoid smoking and alcohol if any. There shouldn't abdominal fat deposition or obesity. Get his lipid profile and sugars tested once.