Lower Ejection Fraction

[Ardbeg28]

My ejection fraction has gone down from 40 to 35 and I'm wondering how to get it back up again. I'm sure it is tablet related as I take a lot of medication for heart failure as well as Parkinson’s drugs and my BP is always very low (normal for me but lower readings lately). I know exercise and fibre help but think it's more complicated. I get a blood test this week and weighed. Also my potassium level is borderline. I will wait to see what the experts say but wondered if anyone has had their EF go down and what they did?

[Happydayz17]

Hi, I was told this week that my EF had gone down from 48 to 35. My doctor prescribed me Ramipril but it's making my diastolic go down way too low. A while ago, I managed to get my EF from 35 to 55. I didn't take the extra prescribed blood pressure medication and just did more walking. I walked about half a mile a day. I stopped to take a breather during the walk whenever I needed to. I'm 84 and had an infection recently so have been far too sedentary. I am trying to move around a bit more again. One thing I've learnt is doctors don't know everything and medication can sometimes make the problem worse. For me I am going to try exercising and making more effort to move around.

[Ardbeg28 in reply to Happydayz17]

Thanks for your message. I think I need to walk more too although I do walk quite a bit. I've been on Ramipril since 2011 but I only take 1.25mg half the doze I used to take since 2019. Agreed Dr's don't know everything especially when it comes to diet. I am trying to get back to my fat free vegan diet as I'm sure that'll help too. Also medication side effects are the problem, they sort one thing but affect another, for example the drug I'm on for Parkinsons affects my BP which is averaging 80/65Hope your EF increases soon. I think you' are doing really well for 84 and are over the infection now.

I

[Happydayz17 in reply to Ardbeg28]

Hi, thanks for the message. I swapped onto a vegan diet and my kidney function which was 35, jumped to 62.which is normal. The saying 'let food be thy medicine and not medicine be thy food, is what I try to follow.

I agree about medicines sorting one thing but affecting another. You really have to research the pros and cons of each tablet before deciding to take it. Some tablets can have damaging consequences in the future.

I had 24 tablets on my regular medication list which is ridiculous. I'd probably be dead if I took all the things doctors prescribed. Over time, I've begun to know my body and take the tablets that I need. I read my own blood tests carefully and other test results to see what needs improving. I'm positive that even with the complication of Parkinsons, you can get your EF up.

You will find a way of assessing the medication that is working and not working for you. Get a second opinion if you need to. Stay strong and know that getting the EF up is not impossible, just stay motivated and don't give up hope! Stay in touch and keep me updated about how you are doing. All the best!

[Ardbeg28 in reply to Happydayz17]

Thanks for your reply. That was great your kidney function increased so well due to the vegan diet. I like to check things too although I don't always get the complete results from Dr's. I think I can request my medical records so will do this soon.I'm sure I can increase my EF too as I did it before a year after my cardiac arrest in 2011. So I will remain motivated.

[PinkKizzie]

Hi Ardbeg28, after my echo in Spring 2022 my EF was 25%. I take lots of medication and I keep as active as I can, I love gardening so that's a great form of exercise. I've not had another echo since then so I don't know if my EF has increased, but I feel really well. I rarely contact my GP re: heart matters, I prefer to contact my cardiac nurse who is amazing and I see her every 6 months. Keep well and take care.

[Ardbeg28 in reply to PinkKizzie]

Thanks for your message. I feel sure your EF will have increased. I had a great Heart Failure nurse before I moved from Scotland to London. I can still contact my HF nurse here but don't know her as well yet. I agree I rather contact HF nurse than the GP. She's phoning me this week, to check my weight and blood test result which I have today. I agree exercise is important, sadly I don't have much of a garden here it's all patio tiles but I do plan to get pots to grow things.

Hope you continue to keep well, enjoy gardening and your EF will be higher next time you have an echo.

[Xinzang]

When an ECG showed my EF had stayed at 35 despite 6 months of helpful meds (dapagliflozin, eplereonone and Entresto) the cardiologist started talking about fitting a defibrillator. He didn't suggest any change of diet or exercise, this has been a useful post thank you! I'm a keen sea swimmer and have an allottment. I'm sure that regular moderate exercise and nutritious food are going to give us the best outcomes. My cardio nurse is superb!

[Ardbeg28 in reply to Xinzang]

Yes Xinzang exercise and low or no fat veg diet especially vegan is of benefit to your heart health. I use this book's recipes and other vegan recipes on YouTube

amazon.co.uk/Prevent-Revers...

Glad you have a great cardio nurse.