To KenKeith

[Sirenet]

Hello, you seem to be quite knowledgeable. I posted a question with no response, perhaps you may be able to give me your opinion.I understand that it is merely an opinion. I have recently been diagnosed with Congestive heart failure. Severe Hypokinesis, severely enlarged heart, severe LV Systolic Dysfunction, Elev LV Diastolic, cardiomyopathy. Just spent 2 wks in hosp. Catheterization put my EF at 15%, with normal coronary arteries, so they don't know what has damaged my heart. Told that I need an ICD! I am 49 m, 6'3, 189 lbs. BP has always been 110-120/70-80. Have never had high cholest or high BP. Had always exercised regularly until 3-09-99 when I was involved in a head-on auto accident in which I broke my neck among other injuries. (used to be able to do 5k run in 19min 18 sec)The steering wheel was bent . A few months after acc, in 2000, i spent 3 days in hosp with A-fib, which was new to me at the time.
   I am at such a loss right now. Dr's say that I am just unlucky to have a bad heart, but I feel as though the accident damaged my heart.(some dr's say possibly but hard to prove). With your knowledge do you think that this is a possibility? I guess it doesn't really matter, but I feel i need answers Tank you very much for your time . (and anyone else who feels that  they have some info/opinion to share).

[lucylo727]

No, I dont have an answer. But since you wrote in 2008, wonder what happened to you lately? I have EF of 19%. Wanted to ask Kenkeith how he improved his EF of 13 to 59% 5 years ago

[Sirenet]

Thank you very much for your insight and compassion. I truly appreciate your taking the time to respond. I am still trying to digest all this and channel the info. Your answer helped me. Again, Thank you...

[kenkeith]

Sorry to hear your experience and medical problem.
Ischemic heart failure can almost be ruled out with your healthy hisory so hypokinesis is the result of another condition.  The hypokenisis (heart muscle damage) is usually ischemic, but it could be viral, congenital or ideopathic (cause unknown).  Almost all your heart problems can be related to heart muscle damage, and an enlarged heart can cause a rhythm problem and tests should be able to rule out viral and congenital.  That leaves ideopathic.

If there was direct physical trauma to your heart, that could certainly cause heart muscle damage.  If you had a weak heart prior to the accident, the trauma and collateral injuries and emotions could stress the heart enough to cause heart failure