Hello I saw the cardiologist this week who told me my EF is 15% and would not improve.
I thought that the Entresto Dapaglifozin Bisoprolol and Eplerenone (unable to tolerate Spironolactone) as recommended by NICE were meant to help EF.
Please advise?
kind regards
I'm sorry to hear what you say. I suppose it depends on the cause of your low EF. I am on the same drugs and mine has improved, but it took time.
15% seems awfully low.
They will probably give you an ICD.
How long ago since your MI?
Mine was at 25-27% for 12 months , they were considering an ICD, 6 months later am at 38%.
Thank you for your reply. I have not had an MI. I was diagnosed with cardiomyopathy and HF in Jan 24. They are unsure of cause. I have also had AF on 3 occasions and LBBB.
Waiting for ICD no date fixed. Have to have carotid artery scan. There is talk of an ablation but need ecg showing AF only went to AE once the other times I stayed home resting.
It’s all early days.
I was diagnosed HF DCM in Feb 2023 and no-one could suggest the cause. I saw a respiratory specialist recently and he said that if there's no know cause but I had Covid before diagnosis then it was probably Covid.
Hey I have DCM and at diagnosis my EF was 10-15%. I take furosemide, dapaglaflozin, entresto, bisprolol and apixaban. I had an icd fitted 6 months after diagnosis and saw the transplant team a few times. 3 years on my EF is now at 25%. There is a chance it can improve but can take time x
I was advised when I was first diagnosed with severe heart failure at 10-15% that it can take several months to several years to see an improvement of your EF from the meds.Mine went up to 45-50% 9 months after. I am on the top doses of Entresto, Bisoprolol, Spironolactone & Dapagliflozin. I also have an ICD.
Did your cardiologist mention you requiring one or what they feel your EF won't improve? As it seems strange for them to say that when your body hasn't yet had any time to get used to the meds.
Thank you for your reply. I am on lowest dose of Entresto only started it in Feb.
I don’t know why he said my EF would not improve?
I have AF and LBBB so have to have CRD in time.
I guess it is still very early days.
I find that so strange that he said that, as my EF was just as low and I was told from the start that there was a chance for it to improve. They wanted me to have an ASAP as a preventative measure.They might just increase your Entresto as they did with me.
It is very early days for you though as you say and they do have a plan in place for your CRD
Thank you. Yes early days I see the HF nurse early July so will talk it through with her.
Wishing you all the very best 🤗
Thank you. Take care too.
I was told the LBBB will weaken your heart over time, but once they can get your heart beating evenly with a CRT-D your heart will get stronger and the LBBB should go away. Just what I was told by my HF specialist. HUGS
Thank you hugs to you also.
My brother and I have a genetic condition. He has an EF of 24% and it’s dropping. He has a defibrillator and has had a valve replaced. He’s on maximum meds and they’ve advised there’s not a lot of options left apart from transplant. He’s 59. Sometimes it’s just not fixable or reversible. It depends on why. We have a genetic condition which affects the electrics of the heart and causes multiple issues. I’m 58 and still in great shape in comparison.
Thank you. They may do a genetic test?
I have to have a defibrillator in time.
Continue to keep well.
They tested me against over 126 known arrhythmia related disorders and it was negative for all of them. It appears to be one that isn’t discovered yet - unfortunately for us.
Stay well
Hello, I also find it quite strange that they said it wouldn't improve.
Yes as others have said the meds do take time to work and you should also exercise to your ability and eat well and whilst you can have alcohol (in moderation) I don't. Mine was 20% when diagnosed.
I had my first follow up after about 4 months when I was told I could have a pacemaker, and then at the following follow up about 12 months later after a further MRI I was told I didn't need one.
The consultant apologised for not seeing me earlier, I said no need as I thought the delay had been to my advantage. The consultant agreed and said he would rather hold off seeing patients to early for a follow up. Also he said there was no need for any device, I was also sent for genetic testing as they also couldn't see a reason why it had happened.
Now I am doing really good, yes I have flat days, but just rest on them and take my time doing things, luckily I don't have to rush.
Give the meds time, and you may just be surprised. for me it took nearly three years, however I certainly don't see it as time wasted, (I might not be here).
best wishes.
Thank you for your reply and encouragement. I agree it takes time.
Best wishes.
T
Hi, I'm surprised your Cardiologist hasn't offered you a MRI Perfusion Scan, as they are more accurate than an Echo. My EF by an Echo in April last year was 30%, two months later by MRI it was 46%. The changes in meds couldn't account for that level of change.
Thank you very much.
There are so many medications and surgical procedures that can help with improvement of EF, so hoping that your Dr. has left no stones unturned when it comes to trying to get your heart stronger. I hope that you are seeing a Cardiologist that specializes in HF and not just a normal Cardiologist, because it can be a matter of life and death between the two. I know from experiance because when I was diagnosed with CHF, idiopathic cardiomyopathy and LBBB with an EF of 10-15% and was in the ICU for 3 weeks. Was assigned a Cardiologist to follow up with and she had me on all low dose meds and after 6 months I wasn't improving and was told there was NOTHING else she could do for me and that I was just dealt a bad hand in life! I found a HF specialist and the very 1st appt. he told me he thought he could help me by slowly upping all of my medications and getting a CRT-D inplant for the LBBB, to get my heart beating normaly. After wearing a life vest for 7 months with 1st Dr. and then the CRT-D inplant with 2nd Dr., within 5 months my EF improved to 55% and the LBBB was gone! This is just my experiance and happened 10 years ago, but I cant help but wonder what might of happened if I would of not went to see the specialist. Get a 2nd opinion and never give up hope, there are advances in HF treatment happening everyday. Take care
Thank you very much. I will explore this with the HF CNS I am due to see next.
Best wishes.
Great! I am in the US, so not sure what you need to do when it comes to your healthcare programs. Was just sharing my experiance, and wish you the best.
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