I’ve been diagnosed as having congestive heart failure. After a number of visits to my cardiologist I can’t get hime to predict my life span but was told that I am in Group C or 3 and that 70% make it 5 years from initial diagnosis. That last part seems positive.

 

i asked about a pacemaker, perhaps with a defibrillator option. He sent me to a colleague but I could not get any information from him (first you need test to see if you cold handle the operation/device - 50,000 Baht. Not to sure on the last part, he was not terribly forthcoming).

 

Please may I have a recommendation for a terrific cardiological surgeon in Bangkok. If the advice seems reasonable I will have tests/operations in the big city. It might be wise to go to Bangkok Hospital so that they could bring up my long medical history on their computers.

 

Thanks all, thanks Sheryl.

Why a pacemaker or defibrillator? These do not treat CHF. Must be more to the diagnosis? 

There was an incident following my first bile stone operation. My cardiologist was doing a vigorish ekg (I think) when he punched me in the chest. I asked him why. He said my heart stopped for two or three seconds. 
 

This led me to wonder if I should get a pacemaker. I don’t know if it is advisable for me, that’s why I wanted to talk to the surgeon. If a review of my situation says don’t get a pacemaker, I am absolutely fine with that.

1 hour ago, NewGuy said:

There was an incident following my first bile stone operation. My cardiologist was doing a vigorish ekg (I think) when he punched me in the chest. I asked him why. He said my heart stopped for two or three seconds. 
 

This led me to wonder if I should get a pacemaker. I don’t know if it is advisable for me, that’s why I wanted to talk to the surgeon. If a review of my situation says don’t get a pacemaker, I am absolutely fine with that.

 

Pacemakers are indicated when thrre are specific, ongoing abnormalities in the heart rhythm.  Never done because of an isolated incident during surgery (though you should certainly make doctors aware of this if you ever need surgery or a procedure under sedation).  Odds are what happened is that you went into ventricular tachycardia or fibrillation (probably the former if a blow to the chest resolved it)and it may gave been related to the anesthetic  agent. 

 

Nothing you have said suggests  a need for a pacemaker.

 

However the cause of your CHF  needs to be ascertained and addressed. Depending on what it is, specific interventions for that might be indicated.

 

Since you prefer Bangkok hospital I recommend you consult

 

https://www.bangkokhearthospital.com/en/doctor/dr-chanwit-wuttichaipradit-2

 

Bring all your records with you

Thank you Sheryl. Wise advice gratefully received. I will make an appointment for next week.