Hi all, new member here. I suffered an unexpected HA early Jan 2020, had 2 stents fitted and felt calm but then had the echo and was told i had some amage resulting in an ef of 40, dr was great and explained this to me but im constntly thinking now.. what next.. How is this going to develop...can this result be improved or is it likely to get worse... Quality of life moving forward..
Im seeing my GP next week and will be asking so many questions. But any help, advice, info you guys can share will be invaluable to me. Thx all lew15.
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Lew15
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Hi Lew15. I’m sure someone with a low EF will be along soon enough and will be able to give you the assurance that you need. I’ve seen and read that this can be improved. Just to say that the normal range starts at 55% as it’s the amount of blood your heart shifts from the left ventricle during each cycle. So 100% isn’t the desired ideal. In fact that would be a very bad figure!
Mine is about 35-40% which the consultant says is a slight improvement. My meds have been optimised now. I am taking about 7 different meds. I am back to walking the dog a couple of times a day and no problems. We walk up on the Quantocks sometimes. If it is a very cold wind and in the afternoon sometimes I feel a bit of heaviness in the chest so I rest a bit but otherwise I feel quite fit. Hope your EF will improve.
As Steve says an EF of 55 % is optimum. so lower Forties can be OK the term used for a low ef is Heart Failure which is something that really doesn't mean a lot. What matters is how you manage the diagnosis quite a few of us manage it well some not so well. Medication is getting better all the time ( what have they got you on ?? ) Bisoprolol or Entresto are the No 1 choice. Just hang in there it does get better honest.
I had a heart attack/cardiac arrest in December 2018. The Echo revealed that my EF was 30%, anything below 40% as classed as Heart Failure. An EF between 40% and 49% is regarded as borderline.
I've quit smoking, hardy drink alcohol, changed my diet to a Mediterranean Diet, lost 40lbs of weight and got exercising, and of course taken all my meds. My EF has inproved to 40--45% - so now borderline.
Apart from the first 6 weeks post heart attack I am completely asymptomatic, and can exercise without limit, don't get shortness of breadth or any angina type pain - classed as NYHA Classification 1 - see below for details of the classification system
So to summarise, it really not all doom and gloom, there's a lot you can do to help your heart.
Finally, you should get offered Cardio Rehab - it involves going to a gym where you're supervised by NHS staff who start you off down to the path to getting active after the shock of a heart attack
That has cheered me up no end. Just diagnosed with 35-40% EF after a cardiac event followed by a stent. Got home yesterday and can't even go upstairs without being puffed out
If you had a look at how they find the ejection fraction on a echocardiogram you would laugh, they make 2 circles on the screen then work out the %age from one to another, not exactly an exact science, my cardiologist told me it can be plus or minus 7%!!!!!! They go on how you are feeling for future medication really.
Hi Lew15, EF can definitely get better. I was diagnosed with heart failure in October 2018, with an EF of 33 to 35. It was a complete shock. A year on with medication and a few fairly minor lifestyle changes my EF was up to 50, just below normal. Who knows what the future holds but for now I'm happy with my progress and hopeful I can at least maintain, if not improve on my current status. It is scary, but things can be done and improvement is very possible.
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