Ejection fraction reading: Hi, all I... - British Heart Fou...

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Ejection fraction reading

Mogdink1 profile image
30 Replies

Hi, all

I have been told that I have an ejection fraction of 47% which has dropped fro 54% last year. I see online that 55% is the lowest Normal reading. I am wondering how worried I need to be about this...have any of you any experience of this..or able to offer any advice?

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Mogdink1 profile image
Mogdink1
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30 Replies
Lezzers profile image
Lezzers

Hi, 47 is not too bad only slightly below normal. my husbands EF is 30 down from 35. Cardiologist will tell you not too get hung up on these figures, it's how you feel that matters. Some people have a low EF and have few if any symptoms & others have a high EF & are very symptomatic. Hope this helps

Mogdink1 profile image
Mogdink1 in reply to Lezzers

Hi, thank you, your advice is already helping me to get this into some kin of perspective. Hope your husband is doing OK.

Best wishes

Christine

Lezzers profile image
Lezzers in reply to Mogdink1

Have you been told what has caused your condition & have you been given medication? With the right medication & adjustments to life stlye, healthy eating, exercise if ok'd by your medical team, etc there's no reason why you shouldn't live a normal life & life span etc.

Mogdink1 profile image
Mogdink1 in reply to Lezzers

Hi again, yes I need to have a couple more tests and, depending on what they say , may be prescribed some medication. I have no symptoms but an irregular heartbeat was picked up during a health check 5 years or so ago. I have been monitored since. Now have to somehow get through another MIR scan with my very severe claustrophobia...somtimes these checks seem worse than anything else...

Best wishes

Christine

Lezzers profile image
Lezzers in reply to Mogdink1

Brilliant news you have no symptons. Best of luck with the MRI scan, they really do give a good idea of what may be causing the problem & how to address it. Let us know how you get on, try not to think about it too much, anxiety doesn't help but do tell them of your claustrophobia.

Mogdink1 profile image
Mogdink1 in reply to Lezzers

Hi, again, thank you for your encouraging advice. I will let you know the outcome of this little saga in due course....

Best wishes

Christine

stevejb1810 profile image
stevejb1810 in reply to Mogdink1

Claustrophobia inside MRI scanners is not as uncommon as you might think - the operators are aware of this and will normally ask. There are MRI scanners available that do not enclose you so claustrophobia becomes a non issue (I have a friend who was scanned on one of these machines).

Mogdink1 profile image
Mogdink1 in reply to stevejb1810

Hi, yes, I've located what seem to be the only open scanner in London where you can pay an arm and a leg for a private scan. Have been and tried it although I still found it to be pretty restricting. Now weighing up whether to book or not, I am thinking I probably will have to. Upright scanners look like the least scary option but every place I have contacted say they don't do cardiac scans as the imaging isn't good enough.

Best wishes

Christine

Yasyass profile image
Yasyass in reply to Lezzers

I was feeling fine until they told me I had reading ef 35 then started feeling sick I think anxiety set in me and no one explain wh. This means and if any improvements can be made and how

Lezzers profile image
Lezzers in reply to Yasyass

Hi yasyass, are you in the UK?

Yasyass profile image
Yasyass in reply to Lezzers

Yes I am but was abroad and since seeing gp cardio hf nurse I am no wiser the only thing said was ef 30-35 stage one hf and just check if any other symptoms and another tablet to my previous ones and left to think am I improving or getting worse as I have no symptoms but sometimes I start thinking about it makes me feel breathless and sad

Hi, agree with Lezzers, it’s how you feel not so much the number.

I have had EF of 58 for many years, feel ok. I live a pretty normal life. Have had 2 open heart surgeries and have metal aortic valve replacement, EF was in 90’s before each surgery.

It’s hard not to worry I do know, but live your life. If you need drug therapy or surgery, they’re both very effective. Wishing you well...

Mogdink1 profile image
Mogdink1 in reply to

Thank you so much...

Best wishes

Christine

Prada47 profile image
Prada47 in reply to

Hi Freddie

I do believe that 55 % ef is around the maximum can't quite understand how you had 90 ??

regards

NLGA profile image
NLGA in reply to

You had a EF of 58 that’s good isn’t it . What was the reason for it to be in the 90’s I thought 75 was the max

Vivi2711 profile image
Vivi2711

Respected Mogdink1,

Agreed to IN TOTO with Lezzers. Yes it is exactly symptom that matters.

If you want to adduce more care & prevent any symptoms in future, cut down on your salt intake and increase your physical activities by regular exercises.

Don't bother Dr. Google much as it will bother you back. In so far as there is no symptoms please don't worry of anything.

Mogdink1 profile image
Mogdink1

Thanks, that is reassuring.

Best wishes

Christine

SpiritoftheFloyd profile image
SpiritoftheFloyd

I've been diagnosed with HF NYHA Class1 and low EF, but have no symptoms - feel fine, living a normal life. As everyone has said, ignore the labels and the numbers that get attached to you - it's how you feel that is improtant, and if you've not got any symptoms you've got no reason to worry

Yasyass profile image
Yasyass in reply to SpiritoftheFloyd

How long since you been diagnosed glad u live a normal life I alwaz worry althou I have class 1 and low ef no symptons but I was alwaz a worrier

SpiritoftheFloyd profile image
SpiritoftheFloyd in reply to Yasyass

I was diagnosed in December 2018 after a heart attack/cardiac arrest, with EF of 30%, this has now improved to 40-45% so still regarded as borderline NYHA Class 1 but no symptoms whatsoever

Yasyass profile image
Yasyass in reply to SpiritoftheFloyd

Thank you I had ha over four years ago but didn’t tell me ef just found that Out couple mths ago but no symptons so hoping for best but how long does it take to know if ef improves and how will they know cos I don’t feel any different than I did thank you

SpiritoftheFloyd profile image
SpiritoftheFloyd in reply to Yasyass

If they give you another echocardiogram that will show what the EF is now. However if you've no symptoms I wouldn't worry about your EF, it's how you feel rather than the EF number that matters most

NLGA profile image
NLGA in reply to SpiritoftheFloyd

That’s great news how have you improved was it surgery alone ?

Billiewizz profile image
Billiewizz

Well I became ill last May with viral infection and had acute heart failure with EF of 20% . I was v ill for 2 weeks . Had an CRTD flitted in August and EF went up to 39% . So, I think 47% is bri! BUT I would ask why has your EF dropped. Do you have any other symptoms? Are you breathless? Have palpitations? See you doc and ask. Best wishes

Mogdink1 profile image
Mogdink1 in reply to Billiewizz

Hi, thanks for your insight. I hope you are feeling ok now. It sounds as if you have been through quite an ordeal.

I am fortunate that I have no symptoms but I am being monitored regularly when it was discovered that I had an irregular heartbeat during a routine health check about 5 years ago. The cardiologist now wants me to have an MRI scan which I am anxious about as I am extremely claustrophobic.

Best wishes

Christine

Billiewizz profile image
Billiewizz

I have had several MRI’s and I just breathe deeply and try and relax. I close my eyes and think of nice things. It’s quite quick really and I keep thinking it’s going to help. Take care

Mogdink1 profile image
Mogdink1 in reply to Billiewizz

Thank you!

unluckyto profile image
unluckyto

Hi my ejection fraction is 4% and I carnt run but I can do most including drinking my mates under the table lol and 12 previous heart ataks

unluckyto profile image
unluckyto

Hi my ejection fraction is 4% I manage ok sometimes was 10% year ago was like a bull at a gate then but with cops and lot other stuff I beleave am stage four as labour breath and tired most times I wouldn’t worry to much with right meds should be good best wishes

Mogdink1 profile image
Mogdink1

thank you! I hope you feel much better soon.

Best wishes

Christine

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