Re: Congestive Heart Failure

Posted By CCF CARDIO MD - DLB on October 24, 1998 at 13:37:01:

In Reply to: Re: Congestive Heart Failure posted by Suzanne on October 24, 1998 at 02:16:22:






Yesterday my husband went to the doctor for the results of a persantine-thalium
stress test and an echocardiogram test.  He has had by pass surgery in the past
but has been having trouble breathing.  The tests showed that his heart was
pumping at 18% and that was why he was tired all of the time.  He is on Diovan
Lanoxin, and Lasix for his heart.  He has been on insulin for the past 42 years
for diabetes.  The doctor said that his heart was week.  Is there anything that
could possibly be done for my husband's heart condition?  He also has congestive
heart failure. He is 59 years old.
Thank you in advance for any insight you may be able to give me in this matter.
Suzanne
What does that mean, "18%"?  Does that mean that his heart is working at an
eighteen percent max, or does it mean that only 18% of his heart is working?

Dear Suzanne,
I am assuming the 18% refers to his heart's ejection fraction as determined by echo. Normal is about 65%. His heart is therefore pumping out about one third the normal volume of blood with each heart beat.
I hope you find this information useful.  Information provided in the heart forum is for general purposes only.  Only your physician can provide specific diagnoses and therapies. Please feel free to write back with additional questions.
If you would like to make an appointment at the Cleveland Clinic Heart Center, please call 1-800-CCF-CARE or inquire online by using the Heart Center website at www.ccf.org/heartcenter.   The Heart Center website contains a directory of the cardiology staff that can be used to select the physician best suited to address your cardiac problem.