Improve EF.

[Seaguller]

Hi

Has anyone here managed to improve their EF with lifestyle changes and exercise?

[shaunyw]

Yep went from EF 39 immediate post Stemi LAD MI where walking a short distance left me breathless to EF 60 12 months later. I put this down to making sure I got a minimum 20 minutes exercise everyday but always pushing a little bit further each time, without ever going too hard. Now 18 months in am back on my old favourite 50km muddy mountain bike winter hill climbs as if nothing had ever happened. Apart from the booze had a fairly healthy lifestyle anyway so didn't make any changes there. I think the ability to recover depends partly on the initial cause of the loss of EF.

[Seaguller in reply to shaunyw]

Thanks great. Are you on any meds? Do you need tonsee heart failure nurse?

[pasigal in reply to shaunyw]

The state of the heart after an event is crucial to recovering EF, I was told. I was so lucky to have cardiac arrest plus a later MI in the presence of a first responder, so I didn't have any measurable time of complete heart stoppage. My EF went from mid 30s to around 60 over 6 months, with exercise, rest and medicine.

[FeetheBookworm]

Mine went from 17 to 43 within about 18 months and I was discharged from the HF clinic. Have been referred back this year as having a lot of palpitations.

[francesw47]

Hi. I regard the lifestyle I lead to be a partnership with the meds I take (Entresto). So far results have been pretty good (EF went from low 30s back up to 49 at last Echo). Unfortunately there is also some scarring and stiffness which will never recover.....but exercise and diet have been part of my life for so many years now that I cannot imagine what it would be like without them!! If nothing else, I enjoy the feeling of being relatively fit and healthy - and long may that continue.

Lets hope that 2022 brings good news about your operation and you recover quickly.

.

[SLK-14]

Hi Seaguller...I was diagnosed with severe LVSD, Heart Failure and ejection fraction of 25. I've been taking Nebivolol, Spironolactone and Perindopril since last April my LVSD has improved to moderately severe and my Ejection Fracture between 35 and 40. I have attended Cardiac Rehabilitation Classes and now exercise every day with light weights. Have just see my Heart Failure Nurse and they are starting me on Dapagliflozin which has just been licensed for heart failure patients, previously only for diabetes.

Wishing all the best...take care and stay safe 😊