EF 40-45

[Bassmaster63]

I recently had my 2nd MI with EF dropping from 55-60 to 40-45.  I have chronic fatigue and shortness of breath.  I weigh 230 lbs after losing 40.  Can my symptoms be the result of the lower ejection fraction? Thanks!

[ed34]

Thank you for the extra information. I am now wondering when you last had an Echo scan? have you had one since the attack 9 months ago? Here's where I am with the information you give. You had a heart attack (but really it wasn't) because you had a 95% blockage, not a 100% blockage. There should have been no real permanent damage but certainly a lot of temporary damage could have occurred. This temporary damage should resolve itself in 3-6 months. If your last echo is very recent (last 3 months or so) then I am at a loss as to why your EF would have remained lower, it doesn't make sense. Perhaps your EF was getting lower from the first attack? how long after the first attack was your last echo scan?

[Bassmaster63]

Thanks for the response.  The last heart attack was 9 months ago.  I was fishing alone and it took ~ 3 hours to get to hospital. Symptoms were pain in chest and left arm and jaw.  Past out after about two hours. Required one stent for 95% blockage.

[ed34]

Oh one more question, did you not have any symptoms before the heart attack? shortness of breath or chest discomfort for example?

[ed34]

Need more information. First, how recent was the heart attack? How long until you managed to reach a hospital? What treatment did you receive? did they do angioplasty or anything?