I had a stent fitted back in June following a massive heart attack... roll the clock forward, I have had ups and downs but have started to feel really good and mentally positive...
Then I had an echo cardio gram which showed my Ejection Fraction at 21 which was down from my previous reading of 32.
I really don’t understand what is going on... anyone any ideas?
I’ve googled and it suggests I could only expect to live another 10 - 15 years, it’s all I can think about and it’s causing me to struggle emotionally.
Any advice, thoughts, would be appreciated.
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David618
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Hi David, an EF reading is not an exact figure as it depends on the machine, the technicians interpretation etc. Your EF can increase/decrease/increase etc over time, most cardiologist are not too concerned about the EF figure, they're more concerned with symptoms. My husband started off with an EF of 35 which then went to 30 & then went to 51 so from moderate to moderate severe to mild heart failure. I would stop googling, I did that initially and it said 5 years survival rate, not only as he outlived that, he was diagnosed in 2012, but his heart function improved massively once he was on the correct meds. I also know of people that have much lower EF's and are living reasonably normal lifes, working, holidays etc withing their limitations. Have you been referred to a heart nurse? Has there been any suggestion of having an ICD fitted
Hi LezzersThanks for your thoughts, much appreciated. I had my ecg last Wednesday and have an appointment with the cardiac team this Wednesday, so I am happy they are moving quite quickly.
My GP has talked about pacemakers etc, so I know that would be a possibility.
Good luck with your appt, I hope it goes well for you. If a nurse isn't part of your medical team ask for a referral. Under NICE guidelines, if nurses are available in your area then you should be referred, they are invaluable in getting you on the right meds, liaising with cardiologist etc Just as an aside, my husband had a massive heart attack & cardiac arrest, extensive damage to his heart & no bypass option as his artery was 100% blocked, he wasn't expected to live very long. He was 42 at the time, he's now 66 and officially retired, we celebrated getting his bus pass!!
Yep, I would say at least 10 - 15 years out of date. Treatment for HF has come on in leaps & bounds with new meds like Entresto & dapagliflozin & more in the pipeline, they don't work for everyone but when they do they are giving amazing results. The problem with Dr Google is it doesn't get updated & as far as I'm aware is the only source that gives a life expectancy timeframe.
Hi David.I was told last week by a consultant psychologist that echoes are not accurate in this measurement and it needs to be done by a MRI which I have now requested. I have stopped googling also as there is so much conflicting information. Best of luck
Hi
I am 73 and have had 3 HAs and stents fitted each time. Start cardio rehab today. I appreciate that when you are “told” you have a lifespan it’s difficult but try not to worry and live your life to the full. In 2018 I was told I had at least 10 years, so 7 year to go. Nothing is written is time so keep fit eat sensibly most of the time and have great occasionally. Above all enjoy each day. We cannot change the future button we can certainly enjoy the present. Good luck
Morning AnabaleI can’t argue with anything you said... so that only leaves me one option and take your advice.
I wouldn’t pay much attention to a EF reading on an echo, it’s more a pin the tail on a donkey exercise. Echoes are an important test in terms of values etc. A cardiac mri will give you a definitive EF number.
David try not to let it get to you, if you hadn't had treatment what would your expected lifespan be?.I like all of us hit dr Google after my cabg to check my potential lifespan.
It said five, 6,8,10 and 13 years then I decided after four gradually increasing results to stop looking and start living again.
Then I met a man who had his bypass in 03, I decided that Google was wrong.
Take your second chance and use it joyfully, and although I am not religious I seem to remember that the bible gives us 'three score years and ten' so going of your profile, your surgeon is more generous than the big guy 👍.
It's only a estimate and medical science is always marching forward.
Are you on Entresto ? I ask because that is a new drug that often increases EF, and if you are not I suggest asking your doctor about it. Since I've been on it I feel much fitter.
Unless it has changed you need to be prescribed Entresto by either a Cardiologist or a Heart Failure Nurse Practitioner.
I am booked in for a stress MRI to see how my Heart is performing after a year on Entresto the MRI is to look at the Perfusion as opening a Blocked RCA is an option which it wasn't 3 years ago ! So you can see how procedures are advancing all the time.
Like Lezzers said EF can be all over the place I have been 27% and then stabilised at Low 40s.
ps I had a Bypass op in 2015 and further stents in 2018 and I manage reasonably well.
Hi I've heard a lot about entresto helping but my gp has not recommended it I takevlow dose bisporol and ramipril because causes my bp to go even lower I have been advised to have a icd but I otherwise feel healthy but I'm not sure if this means I need more meds and icd my ef was 31 but that was two years ago I haven't done another test but cardio says it's 31 five months ago in a report which I'm wondering no one has given me any difvmeds to improve except advisecof icd
You sound in a very similar situation as I was in back in Oct 2019. I too had a massive HA, 3 lots of defibrillation to keep me alive. A very big stent fittedaccording to my cardiologist . My EF was 31 so he suggested I had an ICD fitted. This was done 7 months later in May 2020. Not only has it given me peace of, my anxiety levels disappeared overnight. Try not to worry to much and maybe contact your cardiologist about an ICD. I have no idea what my EF is now but I can run 5k, and can walk 10 miles without any issues. Good luck with your recovery
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