LVEF Questions

[carljsamuelson]

I performed a nuclear stress test yesterday.

According to what I was told, the exercise/stress part of the test was fine.

However, I MIGHT have LVEF, possibly as low as 40%, and am scheduling an echocardiogram ASAP.

Questions:
1. How accurate of LVEF reading can be obtained by test taken yesterday?
2. What can be done in the immediate to correct/help?
3. If LVEF is determined, what're my options?  

I'm kind of freaking out, don't really know where to turn, trying not to freak out my wife, have a daughter with another child on the way... please someone talk to me about this.

[Momto3]

My oops.  Coreg is a beta blocker.  Anacyde's right....You will most likely be prescribe an ACE inhibitor (like prinivil, zestril, et) AND a beta blocker (like Coreg).

Sorry about that.....I need to slow down : (

[anacyde]

PS: if you're given an option on beta blockers, say, between Metoprolol and Carvedilol (Coreg) - request the Coreg.  It might be harder to get used to, there can be more fatigue at first, but many people see very good results with it.

[carljsamuelson]

Thank you both for the posts, they're helping to put my mind (and heart) at ease.

Sorry, also, if I've posted this in the wrong Forum...

[anacyde]

LVEF is left ventricular ejection fraction.  This is not a condition, it's a measurement of how much blood is ejected from the venticle with each heart beat.  Normal is about 50-70%.  Values of less than 50% indicate a problem.  This can be due to a number of factors, from chronic high blood pressure to ischemic heart disease (which it doesn't appear from the exercise portion of the test that you have) or disease of the heart muscle (cardiomyopathy).  Often, cardiomyopathy is idiopathic, which means they cannot identify a cause.  Usually a viral agent is suspected.  Cardiomyopathy is not uncommon, and there is a lot they can do to help improve your heart function.

Having an echo is a very good idea.


1. How accurate of LVEF reading can be obtained by test taken yesterday?
If you had a nuclear stress test, pretty accurate.  Depending on the type of test, sometimes more accurate than the echo.

2. What can be done in the immediate to correct/help?
It depends on the cause.  Usually they prescribe an ACE-I, beta blocker and recommend modifying risk factors (don't smoke, eat healthy, exercise as recommended).

3. If LVEF is determined, what're my options?
If your LVEF is impaired, your options are removing the cause (if there is one apparent) and treating the symptoms to stabilize and hopefully improve your heart function.  

Don't freak out.  LOTS of people have this condition.  It can be serious, but it usually responds very well to treatment.  You can live a long life with an EF of 40%, and with treatment you may even see that number improve.  Try to relax (I know this isn't easy - but try - stress isn't good for any heart), get your follow-up exam, and eliminate any risk factors you might have.

I hope everything works out for you.  Hopefully your follow-up test provides better numbers.  

Congrats on the little one on the way too :)

[carljsamuelson]

Still waiting to hear back from NHI...

[Momto3]

My EF dropped to 40% several years ago as a result of chronic PVC's.  However, sometimes it drops for no identifiable reason (idiopathic).

The echo is the test that is generally used to assess the LVEF. If there are still uncertainties, some doctors will refer patients for a TEE (basically an echocardiogram from inside, using a scope).

All doctors and patients that I have encountered with a reduced LVEF are prescribed an ACE inhibitor.  Lots of folks' EF's improve on ACE drugs.  One of the most common is Coreg.

Don't freak out.  Your doctors are doing the right things and don't want to prescribe something you may not need.  

When is your appt?

Connie