UPDATE

[Kuya]

Well .. the echocardiogram didn't show what I secretly wished it would show ... ie ... that this whole thing was just a techno-glitch ... instead it said that the pumping capacity of my left ventricle is less than 50 % and that there is liquid around my heart. This is very shocking to my partner and I. We are being referred to the Heart Failure Clinic that is in a town two hours drive away. I went to my qigong class yesterday and was happy to be doing what I love, even though I was scared and sat down to rest at the slightest sign of exertion. I'm so sad.

[Shar28]

Hello, when you say pumping capacity do you mean Ejection Fraction? If so, the normal range is 55-65%, so an output of 50% is still good. Hopefully when you go the the clinic you’ll get a good explanation of exactly what’s going on with your heart and the next steps.

Best wishes to you and your partner.

[Kuya in reply to Shar28]

the results have not yet been posted on the BC Health Portal but my dr. said, "Your heart is not pumping very well. The left ventricle is working at less than 50% capacity...

[Kuya in reply to Shar28]

EF is 20 - 25% I understand the numbers now.

[Hidden]

I’m sorry to hear it didn’t turn out like you hoped . It’s even more of a pain to have to travel, let alone when not well either. I hope they can help you and get you back to doing what you love. It’s difficult when health places limitations.

Keep us posted. And good luck with your trip and appointment.

❤️

[10gingercats]

Well,if you have liquid/fluid around your heart it may explain to some degree why your heart is pumping less well than it should. If you are prescribed a diuretic,which usually happens when there is fluid around the hear, then the fluid is quite likely to disappear. Well, that happened to me.I am not a medic. i speak from my experience and a few of those who have posted here.

[wilsond]

As Andy said write down questions, and leave space between to write answers down. Don't be rushed,if not sure ask them to repeat .BTW I have ejection fraction of 55% which is within acceptable ranges of 50% +.

I think your rather doomladen medic was meaning that the ejection( pumping out) was 50%.

Heart failure clinic sounds awful, it is vetter described as heart inefficiency! Things can be done to improve it.

[Anon2023]

hi. It’s always very hard when we don’t get the news that we wanted to hear. I was in the same position a couple of weeks ago when the echo guy told me that my EF was lower than it had been a month previously. It floored me so I understand how you feel.

I was referred to the heart failure team last year and I was terrified. That term “heart failure” is so scary. On a positive note the team were fantastic and very positive. They started me on meds, got me stabilised then discharged me. I was with them for around 6 months and they gave me lots of information and support. I hope that you get the same. X

[Hidden]

Hello

I am sorry the answers you got were not as expected and I can imagine the shock but what they can do now try not to worry

I can imagine you feel sad but try and stay positive by thinking well I know what is wrong and I am in the best hands and this is going to now be dealt with and I am going to be ok because you will be x

[Kuya in reply to Hidden]

that is so sweet ... thank you...

[Hidden in reply to Kuya]

x

[Deejay62]

Hi Kuya I’m sure you’re in shock and very worried, but as been said many times, heart failure doesn’t necessarily mean it’s the end. Many of us have been living with heart failure for many years. I’ve been living with it since my early 40s and I’m now 62. They will try and find out what’s causing it and treat you. Mine was EF 40% at the beginning, but I have another heart condition so it didn’t register until 6 years ago i went to EF 15%. Recently with more medication added to the cocktail I'm now EF 23% so don’t be disheartened. There is a lot of support in this group for you. And when you’re feeling down let us know. Hopefully they will find the problem and it will begin to pump again. All the best.