Echo vs MRI: Hey guys, there has been... - British Heart Fou...

British Heart Foundation

49,245 members31,174 posts

Echo vs MRI

Only46 profile image
11 Replies

Hey guys, there has been something I've been thinking about since diagnosis for HF in July. My initial echo showed an EF of 35-40% whilst the cardiac MRI showed an EF of 40-45%. From what I can make out the MRI is likely to give a better reading as they are more thorough. Can anyone throw any light on this? I'm trying to find as many positives as I can and get my head in a better place x

Thanks for listening x

Written by
Only46 profile image
Only46
To view profiles and participate in discussions please or .
11 Replies

100% an MRI is more accurate, any cardiologist will concur with that view.

Only46 profile image
Only46 in reply to

Thank you, I did think this was the case. When I asked my cardiologist he told me not to concern myself with numbers?*#!?

Of course I'm going to concern myself with numbers!

X

in reply to Only46

I totally get it, I had a stress mri and everything came bk normal apart from the left side of my heart which was mildly dilated, subsequently my EF was 46%... I was absolutely mortified. My cardiologist said “oh that’s not too bad” 😫😅. However, EF can improve with medication & exercise as so many people have experienced on this forum.

Prada47 profile image
Prada47

Hello

MRI is much more accurate than a Echo just a little surprised that you have a range from an MRI I thought they gave an exact number. As Boo said the numbers don't really matter But they give a marker for how you are improving or even moving the other way !!

It's not all bad news Medication is getting better at a rapid pace and now a problem has been identified it can be worked on to keep you as safe as you can be.

Hands Face Safe to Stay Safe

Shar28 profile image
Shar28

Hi, just to say remember that a normal EF is around 55%, so your EF of around 40% isn’t that bad. Also, it’s just one measure of how your heart is functioning. A big part of it is how you feel and what you can do and whether/by how much that changes.

All the best. X

GracieOS profile image
GracieOS

For sure the MRI is more accurate. And as someone said EF can get better. Mine went from low to mid 30s when diagnosed to normal range two years later with medication and regular moderate exercise.

Badger1955 profile image
Badger1955

I have to say that I was blissfully unaware of the numbers from the echo and MRI but my cardiologist and the surgeon came to the same conclusion which was 3 more stents following the initial stent following the HA. I admit so many figures and medical terms are thrown about it can be confusing. Both my cardiologist and surgeon were brilliant at laying the diagnosis and treatment out in lay mans terms. The cardiologist was particularly good at laying out a drawing of my heart as a roadmap with main arteries described as motorways etc. It worked brilliantly for me and I understood what was happening. If you are in doubt please ask your cardiologist, mine was keen for me to understand and it helped me and my mental health no end.

bhfels profile image
bhfels

It’s more about how you feel rather than the number in itself. That’s the indicator

I function reasonably well on an EF of 34-35 but got unwell and it dropped to 30 and I knew about that. It improved but it was explained to me that some people like me can function with my EF But others are poleaxed and can hardly get dressed. Healthy lifestyle helps massively

Prada47 profile image
Prada47 in reply to bhfels

I believe the terminology is HF with Preserved and Non Preserved Ejection Fraction.

Hands Face Space to Stay safe

bhfels profile image
bhfels

Ah so that’s what that is. They’ve never used that term to me although I’ve seen it in literature. I’ve just assumed I was lucky in that I’m short so my heart had less distance to shove blood around

Dazgad profile image
Dazgad

Tbh they’re both very close I wouldn’t worry about the percentages but easier said than done

You may also like...

MRI or echo?

an MRI before he can assess my treatment options. The radiologist is questioning if I need an MRI!!...

echo appointment

that you have to wait around 4 months for an echo I have been referred last month for one as not...

Who would win in a fight TOE or MRI

well Can anybody tell me which is better for looking at the heart, TOE or MRI? I have been...

Sniff test during echo

Hiya I had an echo this week and never before been asked to do the sniff test, is there any reason...

Echo Results

Still severe damage, but I'm taking every positive I can! Feeling very pleased and wanted to share...