left ventricular hypertrophy

my ejection rate is 60%. What does this mean?

[grendslori]

An EF of 60% is a normal EF. In HCM the EF is often times normal; in DCM (Dilated cardiomyopathy which is the opposite of HCM) the EF drops down into the 30's and 20 ranges.

[tye3572002]

thank-you

[kenkeith]

QUOTE: "An EF of 60% is a normal EF. In HCM the EF is often times normal; in DCM (Dilated cardiomyopathy which is the opposite of HCM) the EF drops down into the 30's and 20 ranges".
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DCM and HCM are not mutually exclusive or opposite. There can be hypertrophic cardiomyopathy with dilatation of the left ventricle and eventually congestive heart failure.  For instance this would include myocarditis cardiomegaly ( Usually asymmetrical septal (wall separating chambers and hypertensive (high blood pressure) heart failure.  High blood pressure increases the resistance the heart pumps against and the left ventricle dilates.

For some insight: A cardiomyopathy is a primary disease that affects the muscle of the heart. With hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM), the sarcomeres (contractile elements) in the heart replicate causing heart muscle cells to increase in size and so the heart muscle to thicken. In addition, the normal alignment of muscle cells is disrupted, a phenomenon known as myocardial disarray. HCM also causes disruptions of the electrical functions of the heart. HCM is most commonly due to a mutation in one of 9 sarcomeric genes that results in a mutated protein in the sarcomere, the primary component of the myocyte (the muscle cell of the heart).  By the way this is NOT a condition associated with an athlete's heart.

Dilatation of the left ventricle usually means that there is a burden on the left ventricle in the form of more blood coming to it and that the left ventricle has to provide more space for this blood so it dilates to accomodate it. If not successfully treated, CHF will ensue.
There are other causes for the left ventricle to dilate....

[tye3572002]

I already have a history of congestive heart failure and acute asthma. When asthma gets bad I pass out and sometimes have siezure.

[kenkeith]

I have had CHF (5 years ago) and my LV was enlarged (dilated) and had an ejection fraction of 19-29%.  Mediction (medication) has reversed remodeling and my EF is now normal.  I had compromised my respiratory system by working in a dusty environment for several days without protection (mask), and I developed lung edema and heart failure.  Your asthma may burden your heart to the extent that it causes your EF to drop to a range that does not efficently and adequately pump enough oxygenated blood into the system.  

Asthma would/can reduce the amount of oxygen/carbon dioxide exchange in the lungs with each heartbeat requiring the heart to overwork and compensate with faster heart rate and enlarge LV.  Before entering ER for heart failure my pulse was continuously over 100 at rest and I didn't have the classic symptom of a heart attack with chest pain.