My dad was diagnosed with stage 4 congestive heart failure, and was told that only 25% of is heart is pumping.  This was 2 days ago and has really scared us, can you please help explain just how severe this is, what to look out for, and what to expect?
His would like to know if you were told the cause for the heart failure. Did he have a heart attack earlier? Did he have any other illness prior to this time that required hospitalization? Most likely its is the echocardiography report that would have been mentioned as Ejection Fraction - 25%. It indicates the efficiency of the heart which in your dads' case is on the lower side. Once he comes out of this current period of hospitalization, it is essential that he takes his medicines regularly which may include medicines to reduce the amount of work that his heart performs by reducing the bodies water content(diuretic). There are several other effective medication too which can be prescribed depending on his blood pressure and other factors. I am sure your physician will be able to guide you on this. Ensure that he reduces his salt and water intake. His body cannot handle too much water. Any infection especially of the lungs is to be treated promptly with antibiotics to avoid complications. With adequate medicines, some of the patients that I see with a heart failure having an ejection fraction of 25%, also live up to 3 to 5 years. Wishing him the best health!! I hope I answered your question.