Heart Failure Patients Overestimate Their Life Expectancy

Researchers from Duke University Medical Center note that many heart failure patients overestimate their life expectancy, reports ScienceDaily. This is important because it can effect their decisions regarding treatment options.

The research showed that among 122 patients with heart failure enrolled in the Duke University Heart Failure Disease Management Program, the patients, on average, believed the would live about 40 percent longer than what accepted survival models predicted.

While the reasons underlying the phenomenon aren't clear, scientists say the finding may hold important implications about options such as high-end medical devices, transplantation or palliative care -- important decisions that have enormous impact on patients' quality of life and clinical outcomes.