Hi, I’m new here and hoping for some advice .My partner who is 50 has just been diagnosed with hf which apparently has been going on for a few years but without symptoms so has come as a complete shock.
The doctors are currently trying him on meds and I am wondering if anyone knows if it’s possible that meds will help increase the ejection fraction? I am unable to visit and talk to the doctors myself at the moment as the hospital is closed to visitors due to the Norovirus. Thanks
Hi to be honest we you first find out it's a shock I am now 4 months on waiting for the results of my second Echocadiogram. They described it to me as my heart being so severally damaged like a heart attack would cause. But I have not had heart attack. So I am in the exact same situation waking up oneday to having breathing issues and drs started treating me in July for Asthma to having Echocadiogram on 13th September the very next day being summoned to attend hospital straight away. And told to rest and not do anything until medication starts working. Initially I started feeling much better on medication and started doing more now back to square one. So let's see what my results on Monday will be.
hi I had that problem a few years a go was put on meds and within 1 year went from 29% to 51% no symptoms just a very fast heart rate that I had for years, get checked every year now but all good.
Try not to stress
Thank you. Just got my echocadiogram results today my function has now got to 32% which is better than 25% in September. Which I guess is a small improvement.
It depends on the cause of the hf, but medication improved my EF from 20% to 60%, which is in the normal range. It might take a little while for them to find the best combination of meds.
Like your husband, my hf was symptomless until I developed a chest infection. It's a horrible shock, but liveable with. He should be given advice on diet and exercise.
My situation was similar to your husband's, but Ihad late symptoms. A year ago when I was 50, I suddenly woke up suddenly with shortness of breath. They eventually diagnosed me with severe heart failure with an EF of 10%. I am now on a cocktail of meds and an ICD and am back to loving normal full life and weight training at the gym again with an EF of 50%. I thought my life was over when I was first diagnosed, but your heart can improve with some time.
Thank you for your replies
Back in 2014 hospitalized with congestive HF with EF of 10-15% with bilateral blood clots in lungs and heart and told I need a heart transplant. Today my heart is almost normal with EF of 50%. Lots of medications to improve EF out there that can give many of us a normal life span, its not a death sentence. HUGS
Hello, your story sounds rather like my husband and I 6years ago now. Long story short he was admitted to hospital as an emergency and it turned out his EF was just 10-15% and he had Dilated Cardiomyopathy. He was already on an ACE inhibitor and was also prescribed a betablocker and a diuretic. 6 months later his EF was up to 25%. Following an MRI they said his aortic valve only had 2 petals instead of the usual 3 and needed replacing. At subsequent reviews his EF was 25%, 44% then last year 66%. So back within the normal range. So, meds can definitely improve EF.
It’s important to understand the type of the heart failure - which sounds horrible but means failure of the heart to work normally, not that the heart has failed. By knowing the type the way forward becomes clearer.
The BHF website is a wonderful resource as are their nurses on their helpline and there are other charities too that can help. For example, we used Cardiomyopathy UK a lot.
Best wishes to both you and your partner
HiJoin cardiomyopathy group on facebook. Its full of info. Depending where you live they have support group. North East is at Freeman Hospital.
Hello, mine was diagnosed 2/1/2 years ago, like your partner from nowhere, all I can say is it might prove to be genetic (which I am been tested for now).
As everyone else has said yes there is a very good future ahead I went from leaving hospital and walking 50yards at a push to now been able to do 8km on the bike and 2 miles on the treadmill at the gym.
I am sure your partner has been told but as well as the meds do eat well, try and cut out salt where you can and watch your fluids, and exercise with care. BHF site and Pumping marvellous have plenty of good information available.
Finding the new normal is not a race and it will take time. Set some goals for him and make sure you find a way to celebrate them with your partner and think it isn't what I can't do but what can I do!
The one thing I would suggest is see that your partner gets invited to heart rehab through your local NHS trust, myself and others will tell you it is worth it.
Best wishes.
Dilated cardiomyopathy 
Ejection fraction 38
Ejection Fraction Results %
Dilated cardiomyopathy 
Ejection fraction
