Echocardiogram results.

[Gwersey]

Anybody know what ejection fraction means in terms of echocardiogram results?

[Hidden]

Please read page 8 of our 2017 newsletter which explains a little about your ejection fraction. I hope this helps you. heartrhythmalliance.org/fil...

Best wishes

Rachel - AF Association Patient services

[Gwersey in reply to Hidden]

I searched on google in the end because nobody actually answered my question ie. what is ejection fraction.

[djmnet in reply to Hidden]

Thank you for this. I just picked up my echo report yesterday and didn't understand the EF rate, so this is very timely for me!

[Gwersey in reply to djmnet]

Was it a positive report? Mine said normal but I have to have more tests.

[mbheart]

Just as an fyi, I had an echo about 8 months ago. My ejection fraction was 29% and I was scared. Well, 8 months later, after taking the meds, improving my diet, and trying to walk at least 30 minutes a day, I had a second echo done last week and my ejection fraction is now 56%. My dr. was very happy which made me happy So yes, it can definitely be improved, without really much effort (at least in my case.) I'm still on lots of meds and I see my cardiologist in 2 weeks to re-evaluate. BTW, my afib is still persistent and I'm sure that will be forever, but I do not notice it so I'm happy about that.

[ncernaa in reply to mbheart]

What med did you take to improve ejaculation rate?

[mbheart in reply to ncernaa]

Well, I actually had ejection fraction improvement I am taking 10 mg Bisopropol, 20 mg. Lisinopril, 2X daily Pradaxa. (I started off with lower doses of all but gradually they increased the amount). Every 3 months I had lab work to check on several things, including my BNP levels, which went from 188 to 106. But yes, I still have persistent afib but I don't notice it, and I'm told I am not a candidate for ablation (the EP said I had severe myocardiopathy - can that improve? That is a question I will ask my cardiologist in a couple of weeks.) So I'm curious about others and if they have similar results.

[WhitstableWanderer in reply to mbheart]

Hi mbheart,

Just following up to see if you've now had your appointment with the cardiologist? I believe that we've had similar experiences, mine was suggested as myocarditis which may be the same as myocardiopathy?

I now have persistent but asymptomatic AF and last EF measurement was 35 to 40% . So I'm interested in what your cardiologist has to day.

Thanks in advance, this forum has been invaluable in helping improve my knowledge re. AF etc.

Peter

[mbheart in reply to WhitstableWanderer]

Hi Peter. Thx for your story. My appt is this upcoming Thursday so I’ll let you know. Any questions I might ask my cardiologist as I’m thinking myself?

[WhitstableWanderer in reply to mbheart]

Well, I saw my cardiologist for the first time in six months last week - I asked if there was any point in considering a further cardioversion (I had one in November but it only kept me in NSR for 4 days) or an ICD (defibrillator), or an ablation.

He was happy to put a moratorium on all invasive procedures for a few months to see if my ejection fraction continues to improve (I'm convinced that it will).

I asked if my AF was 'mild' on the basis that I really don't have any symptoms from it and was told 'you either have AF or you don't'.....

It is becoming clear to me that treatment of AF varies widely, as do people's experiences with it. For me, I am working on the theory that I need to build my heart muscle strength back up, through exercise, losing a bit more weight, eating healthily, very little alcohol or caffeine, and see where I end up.

Meanwhile, AF isn't a major issue, though I'd like to reduce the meds (10 mg Bisoprolol, 50 mg Eplerenone, 10 mg Ramipril, 40 mg Atorvastatin and 20 mg Rivaroxiban daily). Cardiologist wasn't prepared to reduce these yet.

So, to answer your question, research as much as you can and ask about everything - the medics are still learning about AF and there are some good and some not so good cardiologists out there.

Good luck and do keep us informed, there will be others interested I'm sure

Peter

[mbheart in reply to WhitstableWanderer]

I agree that we seem to have similar experiences so I'll try to follow your progress. I agree wholeheartedly with your comment as this is exactly what I am thinking about me - "It is becoming clear to me that treatment of AF varies widely, as do people's experiences with it. For me, I am working on the theory that I need to build my heart muscle strength back up, through exercise, losing a bit more weight, eating healthily, very little alcohol or caffeine, and see where I end up." I'll get back to you after my appt. And btw, my mom (who will be 95 in 2 months) was just diagnosed yesterday with heart failure (she already had COPD but I had to take her to the ER on Thursday for ankle and leg swelling, and shortness of breath.) I think she has had it for awhile (and she has had afib) but she has, and still is very active, drives, and she is the caretaker of my sister who has MS and is in a wheelchair! She, too, didn't have symptoms until recently. My point is - at least for me and my mom, I think we can have afib and other health issues and still be able to be somewhat active. It is so true that there is a big range of experiences for people with these issues.

[WhitstableWanderer in reply to mbheart]

Sorry to hear about your mum, though it sounds as if she is a tough and resilient lady. 'Heart failure ' is a horrible term and far too dramatic - what the Docs mean is that the heart isn't pumping enough blood around the body. 'Heart inefficiency ' would be a better description and create less anxiety. Good luck to you both

[Aprilbday in reply to mbheart]

I am glad you mentioned that your A-Fib continues as I thought maybe I was one of the few where it just continues. Persistent. Thank you for mentioning that. I will grow up now and just deal with it!

[WhitstableWanderer]

I had what appeared to have been a heart attack in June 2017. My EF was measured at the time as 9%. When I left hospital 16 days later it was up to 17%. By October it had recovered to 27% but still below the threshold of 35% for an ICD. Thankfully by February I was back up to 35 - 40% and deemed well enough to be taken off the community heart failure programme. But no alcohol or caffeine, BMI reduced to under 25, careful diet too.

Still have persistent AF but pretty asymptomatic and seeing the EP for the first time next week. But I don't feel at all unwell, play golf etc, and expect my EF to continue to improve, next target 50%. 'Normal' is 55 - 60% apparently.

So, yes, you can recover a low EF situation. Good luck

[Aprilbday in reply to WhitstableWanderer]

Thank you for the encouragement!!!

How often do you play golf?

[WhitstableWanderer in reply to Aprilbday]

Last week I played golf three times, but usually just one or two rounds weekly. It's good exercise and I'm now much more confident that I won't keel over out on the course. Have also played some lightweight 'social ' badminton, but have to pace myself and not overdo the short bursts of leaping around. Also have to be aware of staying lubricated.

[mbheart in reply to WhitstableWanderer]

In follow up, I went to see my cardiologist the other day. He lowered my Lisinopril from 20 mg. to 5 or 0 mg a day, depending on my BP (it was way too low with 20 mg.) I'm so glad as I really don't like that med - it makes my nose run and it makes me cough - ugh! So I am basically on 10 mg. Bisopropol and 2 Pradaxa daily. Doc said I do not need to return for a year. I am still in persistent afib but I'm coming to realize this will probably always be the case. I still am asymptomatic. Doc did say I could take amiodarone but he said it is very toxic and since I don't have symptoms, we decided against it. Is it okay for me to sort of feel okay about having persistent afib and just taking the meds? My daughter wonders if this is okay.

[WhitstableWanderer in reply to mbheart]

I'd see it as good news that the Doc doesn't want to see you for a year. Live with the asymptomatic AF and live life normally. But keep taking the Pradaxa as your stroke risk will otherwise be higher than non-AFers. Everything I've read about Amiodorone suggests it is very effective (if you have AF symptoms) but very toxic, too. Seen as a drug of last resort, with definite unpleasant 'effects'. As you aren't 'suffering' with AF, very sensible to stay off it. I came to the same conclusion. You may find in time that you can reduce the Bisoprolol dose, just keep a regular check on BP, if it settles to a reasonable level, ask Doc about cutting back a bit. Good luck

[mbheart in reply to WhitstableWanderer]

Yes, my sentiments and gut feelings are the same as yours. Eventually I hope to reduce the Bisoprolol - I do check my BP every few days so we'll see what happens in the future. Good luck to you too.

[eric179]

Fantastic news that you have raised your EF to 56%

I found Bisoprololo difficult, lots of side effects, still on the minimum dose 1.25

And Candesartan 16 mg

My EF has been 30% since my Aortic valve change in 2011

Which also started my AF , which is mild and continues

I have lots of energy, take large serving spoon of milled flax seed every morning

Recently completed 8 weeks of Radiotherapy for Prostrate cancer at Royal Marsden Hospital in London, no problems at all

Well Done