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Heart Disease (Expert Forum)
Relation between EF and cardiac output
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Relation between EF and cardiac output
by cheryl__0__0, Sep 02, 1998 12:00AM
I am 22yr old and I had viral myocarditis on april. Susequently I had
congestive heart failure and later on diagonised with dilated cardiomyopathy.
My EF went down to 20% and cardiac output to 2litre/minute. I was put under
immunosuppression treatment and since then I have drasticaly improved physically,
I can alomost do whatever I want. But my EF has not improved although my
cardiac output has increased to 4. I thought that if the cardiac output increases
then EF should also increase. I don't understand why my EF has not increased.
Thanks for your time, awaiting your reply.
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Dear Cheryl
Cardiac output incorporates several other parameters, such as heart rate; if your heart rate increases, your cardiac output usually goes up, even if your heart pumping function is no better. This is one of many ways that the body compensates for a weak heart. The muscles of the body also become more efficient, adjusting to the low ejection fraction.
I hope this is useful. Feel free to write back. I wish you the best of luck.
If you would like to set up an appointment with one of our cardiologists here at the Cleveland Clinic please feel free to call 1-800-CCF-CARE.
Information provided in the Heart Forum is intended for general medical informational purposes only. Actual diagnosis and treatment of any particular medical condition can only be made by your physician(s).
