Heart problems -

[SCGO]

LVSD heart failure - ejection fraction of 18%. Can this be improved with the right medication?

[RufusScamp]

Depending on the exact cause of your problem (I am no medical expert) EF can be improved. Mine has gone from 20% to 60% with a pacemaker and medication. I am sure diet and careful exercise play a part too, though possibly not in this heat!!!😅

[SCGO in reply to RufusScamp]

Thank you for your comments.

[Babsben]

Hi,

I was diagnosed with lvsd 2 years ago now. My EF was 29% after I had an echo. I was put on medication, went to rehab, changed my diet to the Mediterranean way, I stopped drinking (I now have the occasional red wine) my EF had risen to 49% within a few months. Mine is idiopathic so no known cause as to why it happened. I am asymptomatic upto now. I am aware of my body more now and what I should and shouldn't do. I don't need a device as of yet it all seems stable.

I was on ramipril but that gave me a terrible cough so I'm now on bisoprolol, candesartan , spirolactolone, and fesodumide.

Of course everyone's condition is different but the cardiologist will advise you of the best treatment.

Best wishes ☺️

[Putterguy]

Hi, yes it can improve but it may also depend what caused the heart issue. Mine was a virus they think. Two years ago I was rushed in to the LGI, diagnosed with lvsd, dilated cardiomyopathy and AF.My EF was 10-17.5% on being released back home after a week in hospital. I was put on the usual medication which was changed overtime until it was raised to the optimum for my condition.

I started walking everyday 5k all flat then onto a walk that included slight gradients. Also had Rehab at the local gym. Had an echo 6 months later and there was a slight increase to 20-30%.

Was stable at that for a year or so. Had a cardioversion in March which was and still is successful. Fingers crossed it stays that way.

Had a scan in June, had a consultation last Friday and the cardiologist was really happy to tell me my heart had reshaped( think that’s what he called it or remodelled??) and my heart was only slightly dilated but that it was now pumping in the normal range. EF was now 60%. Which he says does sort of fit in with the virus theory. They can never be too sure.

So answer is yes but do take your medication exercise if possible and eat well and keep the anxiety down. Listen to the specialist and take on board what they tell you.

Best for the future.

Putterguy.

[SCGO in reply to Putterguy]

Thank you. Your reply was very helpful and reassuring that my LVSD with an ejection fraction of 18% may improve a little with the medication I am on and living a healthy life style. I am nearly 78 so I may live a lot longer yet!!

[bwiltshi]

Hi, Had 2016 heart attack, various stents followed and I am able to most everything a 70y old could expect. Was and still getting a bit of angina if I tried to be too active, but talking fast swimming, cycling hard etc. Further investigation revealed severe LV dilation and similarly with right atrium with a mid 30's ejection. I have now been put on a variety of additional meds. Spironalactone, sacubitril/Valsartan, dapaglifozin, apparently to be further protective measures against heart events as well as improving ejection. Only minor improvements in EJ at early stage, time might tell. Had to reduce sacubitril/Valsartandue to v low bp. Still get marginal angina. But our cardio team in Northumberland seem to believe rightly or wrongly that this cocktail will improve heart function, so that's what I am going with. 🤞

[Bud57]

Hi, I was diagnosed with LVSD ( Heart Failure) in October 2018, my EF was 21% , I've been on ramipril & bisoporol since then. At my last appointment with consultant I was told my EF was 41%, so it does get improve. Like previous comments I was told it was probably a virus that caused it, as there is no family history of heart problems.

[Archiebear1]

I have dilated cardiomyopathy causing heart failure my late father also had it I’m 50 and my EF was 30 in Feb I’ve been taking Bisoprolol, Lansoprazole, Spironolactone, Entresto 97mg, Bumetanide & Dapaglifozin went for an MRI just got the results and my EF is now 55 I can’t believe the improvement the nurse wasn’t surprised she said the medication I’m on is great stuff