hi.
My LVEF is at 26, I had a defib fitted nearly 2 years ago. Has anyone also had EF at 26 then did it increase. I always ask my heart failure nurse what they can do if it doesn’t increase, I’m told there’s other options but she won’t tell me what.
I also suffer from low blood pressure so my body can only tolerate a small dose of candastan.
Hi MRSDJW, I have LBBB, LV impairment, and an EF of 25%, I was supposed to have a pacemaker but it didn't go to plan. I'm on the best medication to help my heart failure getting worse but I'm not due an echocardiogram until middle of next year, so I can't tell if my heart failure is getting worse until then. My cardiac consultant told me there are other options too, but didn't elaborate on that. My BP is always low, and I keep myself active and feel well. Wishing you well.
I wouldn't bother with the nhs when it comes to the heart. You need to be assessed now with an echocardiogram not the middle of next year. I would pay for an echocardiogram and speed things along. That is a ridiculous schedule to wait. You get better treatment when you pay.
Hi dg2024, thank you for your reply. You are correct, when it comes to waiting times the NHS has failed. I do see my cardiac nurse every six months which I look forward to. I'll consider going private for an echo. Take care.
Hello. If your heart failure nurses aren't telling you much, have you tried ringing the Bhf cardiac nurses and asking them. I have always found them very helpful? Good luck.
Hi MRSDJW
I was diagnosed with Heart Failure, Dilated Cardiomyopathy and Atrial Fibrillation in 2018 with an EF of 15%. Medication brought my EF back to 60% after 2 or 2.5 years. Although for the first 18 months there was no improvement in EF...
What are your symptoms like? are they improving?
Also, have you tried cardio rehab?
60% from 15%. Wow. How did you feel at 15%!!? Does this mean the dcm is resolved? Or still dilated?
Hi Dg 2024
The dilation was quite big at time of diagnosis, but my left ventricle is back to normal size. My left atrium is 0.4 mm too big! and the cardiologist thinks that this may be the cause of my atrial fibrillation as the part of the atrium that starts the heartbeat is off centre. I am still regarded as having DCM and HF.
Luckily, I always had very few symptoms and feel fine now. In fact, the lack of symptoms meant that it took a while for my diagnosis. Every doctor that I saw grabbed my ankle but there was no swelling, and I didn't feel breathless. My heart was beating like Animal from the muppets on speed, so they picked up the AF quite early
The cardio rehab was good. The physio made me run up and down the fire escape....
Similar to me. I had an ef of 25%. No obvious symptoms and no leg swelling.
Mine (post SCA) seemed low at 42 until a friend of mine was told that his was 'that an unfit man in his eighties', his EF was around half of mine and in his 60s at the time. The friend has had a range of heart issues but now regularly cycles and rock-climbs. I can't remember the exact starting figure but I think it was below 20, it certainly recovered massively. He's older than me (I'm 66) and cycles up hills that I couldn't even dream of. He'd alway been fit and is loads leaner than I am.
Yes. I had an ef of 25% after getting myocarditis. I'm the fittest cleanest living person there is too! I thought the worst. But I'm at 49% now and I feel 100%. I got to 45% after 5 weeks. 49% after 3 months. Just started rehab.
The heart can recover. The key is to take the tablets prescribed by the doctor and rest. The tablets allow the heart to recover and remodel. But it takes time.
The heart can recover from the damage. I'm on ramipril, eplerenonum, bisoprolol, toresimed, forxiga. This combination has worked wonders for me. There are other drugs even if the ef tends not to budge. E.g. entresto. But best discussed with doctors. Trust the medication and give it time. And rest.
My brother and I both have a cardiac conduction disorder with leaking valves. My brother has a decreasing EF which is currently at 22%. He has had the mitral valve replaced and has a defib put in. He is on maximum meds. He has been told his only option left is transplant but he is not suitable. He turns 60 in 4 days time.
I don’t want to be a downer but it really depends on what your condition is and what stage it’s at (and a little luck) on whether or not they can help you with medications and procedures and for how long meds will support you.
Hi 21 yrs ago my EF was 43% 6 yrs ago it went to 10% last year I had an echocardiogram and it was 23%. I have Dilated Cardiomyopathy and now pulmonary hypertension. Heart failure and PAH is an extension of DCM for me. DCM is in my family along with other heart issues. I also have Various tachycardias and Afib.
HF r EF HF p EF 
Low EF / Heart function 
EF improvement
Ef has raised 
