cardiomyopathy and arrythmia

[riley1628]

I am a 50 yr old female with history of dilated cardiomyopathy and many ( 20,000/day) pvc's. My EF has gone down over the past few years from 50% to 35% - 40%. I have had a heart cath and I have no blockages, but they said the EF was @ 35%. My nuclear stress test and echo showed it to be higher. I am now going to an EP dr to determine if I need a defib. What test gives the most accurate reading of your EF?? I had an echo stress test today (get results next week) and the tech said the ekg was abnormal and I had too many pvc's to give an accurate diagnosis.
Also, what is the best med for cardiomyopathy and controlling pvc's?? I was on Amiodarone, but it affected my thyroid so I had to stop taking it. It worked great though...Anyone else have similar situation? Thank you!

[LukeL]

I cannot comment on the meds, but most doctors don't really look at the EF all that much, what is more important is your symptoms and how you feel throughout the day. Some people have an EF of 30 and feel fine because they don't do much in the day, and some have an EF of 40 and feel wornout.