EJECTION FRACTION IS 18%

[moneydhasmana]

I HAVE EJECTION FRACTION IS 18% 15 DAYS BACK AND NOW IS 20% ,PLEASE SUGGEST CAN MY EF WOULD INCREASE IN FUTURE I AM TAKING MEDICINES ONLY.

[vienna26105]

I have a couple quick questions..What is the Motality rate for me ? I've had Congestive Heart Failure for 17 years now..Back on March 27,2006 I was implanted with a Pace Maker / Defibrillator Unit..I had one of the Medtronic Recalled bad lead wires extracted back in Nov. 2013 Heart Doc inserted a new one ,now referring to my icd unit as a Bi-Ventricular icd unit..When diagnosed with my C.H.F. my EF Fraction was at 26%,now it's at only 18 % . My Heart Specialist is thinking seriously about putting me on a Heart Transplant Waiting List..I'm only 42 y.o ,scared of what's going to happen next..I have a lot of anxiety due to this awful diseaseand on two meds to combat it but,it's definitely not helping ..Do u have any suggestions to help with my anxiety..

[kenkeith]

Six years ago I had 13-29% EF and in ICU for several days to stabilize the oxygen level resulting from congested heart failure.  Currently my EF is 59% and an enlarged heart has returned to normal size.  The ejection fraction is the percent of blood pumped into circulation with each heartbeat.  When the EF is below 29% (normal is 55 to 75%) the blood from the lungs back up into the lungs and peripherals causing fluids to leak into tissues.  This increases blood volume and adds additional stress to the heart.

The underlying cause would be the best indicator if your EF can be increased.  When a heart has dilated do to being overworked the heart dilates.  When excess dilation is reached the heart loses strength.  Somethimes when the cause for the heart dilatation is properly treated the heart will return to normal size and the EF can be increased accordingly.

Medication to reduce the heart's workload can be to dilate vessels with an ACE inhibitor and beta blocker.  If necessary a diuretic to reduce fluids.  That was my protocol.

[googoo73]

Your EF is a judgement calculation made by your doctor regarding how much blood coming out of the lungs is actually being pumped to your total vein system.

Assuming you have no valve issues, then EF will become your lead indicator as to how much your pump (left chamber) has lost through enlarging and weaking of the heart muscle.  I have had two adult stem cell treatments and my EF has risen to the mid 30%.  

My EF in 2008 was 19%, my story is online, if you like I can link you to it.