A very valued friend age 101 suffered a heart attack following bout of pneumonia. The heart valve is apparently miniscule. Aside from diet restricting volume of liquids and absence of sodium and cautious exercise, are there any other suggestions that will hopefully enable this friend to celebrate his 102nd birthday on February 20, 2012. Incidentally, his mind continues to be very sharp.

I have been recently diagnosed to congestive heart failure. I'm not sure what to expect. I have a cough and wheezing now but it's mild and the flu is going around. I'm not sure what is what anymore. I am very new to this.

At age 51, my decline from heart failure was so rapid that a heart transplant was discussed. But there wasn't time for that either, so instead an LVAD was implanted. I did not want a transplant so I began a search of holistic approaches to reversing heart failure. It led me on a three pronged path of hormone therapy, nutritional supplements and a nutrient-dense diet. My heart healed, even though the odds given to me were only one percent, and my LVAD was removed. I am back to life on my own heart. I have written a book about my journey and my path to health and now speak to groups about alternate therapies for illness.

My father is 71 years old. He had a massive heart attack 8 years ago which destroyed part of the back of his heart. They say they can poke it with a needle and the needle will bend. He has 5 stents in his heart. He had a 2 defibrillator/pacemaker implanted in Dec 2011, since then he has had a femoral bypass, and has A-fib. He was already taking Lasik and potassium as part of his daily regimen of medication. He has had 3 episodes in the past weeks of panting and hunting for air. We thought it was due to A-fib, he was in the hospital last week for 4 days, CHF. His Lasik and potassium were not increased. I cannot imagine him finishing his final time here short of breath, even while breathing/talking, no energy, etc. I cry thinking about it. He used to be so active, going here and there. He is also diabetic, has one kidney and his BP is controlled with 3 medications. He is a mess.

Following a heart attack, which was preceded by no symptoms, I underwent a period of congestive heart failure. Stents were inserted in the front of my heart and I received medication for the CHF. After a relatively short time -- matter of a few months-- I no longer needed meds for the CHF. Thankfully, I have had no reoccurrence of the CHF.

For my congestive heart failure, I received a pacemaker and ICD and was placed on medications. That was 2 years ago and I am now doing great. I have no more symptoms and I exercise and eat right.

I was placed on a strict diet. But due to the fact that I had high cholesterol and two arteries blocked, I had a double bypass. The first time they did an angyoplasti and opened one of the arteries. The second time they cut me open. I feel great now. I eat right, exercise, drink plenty of water and very careful with my diet.