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Low Ejection Fraction

Recently had an echocardiogram and was told me Ejection Fraction was a bit low   50 percent. I have a history of high blood pressure and fast heart rate. Just before the test, I took 150 mg of Metoprolol. I usually take this twice a day. I've heard that this medicine can reduce the heart's pumping action and I'm wondering if this could have had an effect on my test results?
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Avatar universal
Yes Joe,
You are correct, and I was wrong making that general statement on BB.

However, as you can read here:

http://www.cvpharmacology.com/cardioinhibitory/beta-blockers.htm

"Although it seems counterintuitive that cardioinhibitory drugs such as beta-blockers would be used in cases of systolic dysfunction, clinical studies have shown quite conclusively that some specific beta-blockers actually improve cardiac function and reduce mortality"

And this is the case of Carvedilol y Metoprolol,

Jesus
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Avatar universal
jesus
beta blockers affect the contractility of the heart. Since ejecton fraction is how hard your heart pumps, it stands to reason it would affect EF. By the wat left ventrical was normal size.
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Avatar universal
As far as I understand  Metoprolol is a Beta Blocker, its main effect is to reduce your heart rate and therefore reduce the volume of blood per minute to be pumped but I do not think that it affects the EF.

If you has a history of HBP, chances are that you have some hypertrophy of the left ventricle, this can be the reason for the reduction.

Anyway your value is in the normal limit. Do you have a previous value?

Jesus
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