Stress echo EF

[Caitlyn6]

Is the EF from a stress echo (at rest not exercising) the same as the EF from a regular echo? Is it as accurate as a regular echo for heart function.My echo result was 55% and my stress echo at rest was >50 on activity >70. I have impaired LV relaxation and some plaque on coronary arteries which cardiologist has said is fine. Except I don't feel fine. Feel I don't get as much breath as I used to, particularly on exertion. Cardiologist has discharged me and I'm left feeling not great. Currently on Perindopril 4mg, Bisoprolol 1.25 and atorvastatin 40mg. Used to run 45 mins a day;now I struggle to go 5 mins. I have posted a couple of times before, just struggling with low mood and not knowing where to turn now. Also have slight lung translucency which will be be checked 6 monthly to see if it improves. I'm fine sitting -breathing ok and HR nice and low. it's when I'm doing stuff my HR shoots up. 😓

[Sunnie2day]

I have no clue about the echo, sorry. Hopefully someone will be along soon with some better information. But I want to ask: How is your GP about things like this - can you take a list of concerns and questions to her/him?

I haven't been discharged from cardiology yet (recent echo showed some pericardial fluid and scarring, and 'trivial' scarring on my aortic valve) and I am still having some problems - however, the cardiac care team seem a little put out I'm not as unwell as their other patients and as they are overworked with 'real' patients I don't like to make a nuisance of myself asking a lot of questions or complaints about how I'm feeling.

I'm finding my GP especially helpful, though - I can book a ten minute appointment any time I have worries, questions, or as a follow-up to cardiologist appointments and that's been an enormous help to me. I make a list of questions on a word.doc leaving plenty of space to jot notes as she answers. She says the list makes efficient use of the brief visit time allotted and I usually leave there feeling all my questions have been well answered. She's also very responsive to any new complaints regarding my progress - she made a point of telling me last time to call if '(insert new or continued symptom here)'.

[Caitlyn6]

Have found him not very competent and it is also about a month wait to see him each time.

[IanMK]

Isn’t the measurement method the same for ‘regular’ and ‘stress’ EF measurement. It is only an estimate and - in my opinion (although I am not medically qualified to say) - it is not very accurate. The difference in measurements that you have been given may be a result of different people making the measurements. My understanding is that the estimate is based on a 2-dimensional (cross-sectional) echo-scan which takes no account of the change in dimension of the heart in the 3rd axis.

I had the opposite issue to you where my exercise tolerance during a stress test was greater than expected with my apparently low EF. My cardiologist explained this by saying I had a large ‘long axis reserve’.

I wouldn’t get too hung-up on the numbers but clearly your QOL is far short of where you want it to be and I can understand that. Could it be the meds you are on that are holding you back? Some people have particular problems with Bisoprolol, for example. It’s unfortunate that your cardiologist has discharged you when you still have important queries.

[Caitlyn6 in reply to IanMK]

Thank you. Yes. I was on a very low dose of propanalol 10mg for a month when GP took me off over a period of two weeks then I suffered bad rebound effect so cardiologist put me on bisoprolol as he said it has a longer half life. He said GP could switch me to carvedilol 2x a day but said as there is no issues with my heart ifs up to me if I want to change. But I won't trust my GP to make changes anymore after the awful time I had after the Propanalol. Feel like I'm stuck in limbo. I know I can see the cardiologist as a private patient if things get a lot worse but feel scared to make a change as every med seems to have side effects. Thanks for replying. X

[Alison_L]

Hi Mollypet. As far as I know both stress and regular echos are reading the same thing. Speak to your GP about your breathlessness - you shouldn't still be suffering. Although it may not be cardiac related if your EF is 55-70, which is regarded as the "normal, healthy" range.