No, a person cannot typically survive with 15% heart function.
Based on the provided reference, heart function below 20% will typically lead to cardiac arrest. The heart will not be able to adequately supply blood to the brain and other vital organs, which would result in death. Therefore, 15% heart function is well below the threshold for survival.
Here's a breakdown of why this is the case:
- Reduced Blood Supply: The heart's primary function is to pump blood throughout the body, delivering oxygen and nutrients to all organs and tissues. When the heart function drops dramatically to 15%, it cannot pump enough blood to meet the body's needs.
- Organ Failure: Without adequate blood flow, organs such as the brain, kidneys, and liver begin to fail. The brain is particularly sensitive to a lack of oxygen, and prolonged oxygen deprivation can lead to irreversible brain damage and death.
- Cardiac Arrest: The reference explicitly states that heart function below 20% can lead to cardiac arrest. This means that the heart's electrical activity becomes erratic and the heart stops pumping blood altogether.
- Survival Prospects: While medical interventions, like a heart transplant, can help some individuals, 15% is typically considered a terminal condition when considering the natural progression of the disease, with only interventions being able to extend a person's life.
In summary, 15% heart function is critically low, and without interventions is not considered a survivable condition according to the provided reference.
