HEART DISEASE COMMUNITY
weak heart

weak heart

I had an abnormanl ekg ,Ive had an echo and I just had a cardiac cath done, no blockage ,no valve damage. Ejection Fraction was 43% and Doctor said I have a weak heart, is that cardiomyopathy?  I have a Doctor appt tomorrow but with all the reading I have doing on the internet, Im getting scared. ....HELP
Related Discussions
4 Comments Post a Comment
Blank
367994_tn?1304957193
An echo can almost rule out cardiomyopathy as measurements of heart walls and chamber sizes are calculated and the dimensions are within the normal range.  Oversized walls and dilated left ventricle can/will reduce the EF (normal is around 50-75%).

An echo will/should show any hypokinesis (impaired wall movement) to explain the less than normal EF.  Hypokinesis can be the result of a prior heart attack or heart muscle disease. An EF of 43% is only an estimate and with the consideration of a margin of error makes it almost normal.  Five years ago my EF was below 29% (heart failure range) from a heart attack and with medication my heart size is currently normal and EF 59%.

You have no blockages and valve function is sufficient so that are favorable circumstances.
Blank
63984_tn?1333142839
As kenkeith mentioned, an EF of 43% isn't all that bad.  It's possible you simply might be a bit out of shape and your heart might benefit from some exercise.  Like all muscles, it likes to be worked.  Good luck tomorrow, let us know.
Blank
Post a Comment
To
Comment
Post A Comment
Go
Blank
Heart Rhythm Tracker
Log your arrhythmias
Start Tracking Now
Blank
Cholesterol Tracker
Log cholesterol over time
Start Tracking Now
MedHelp Health Answers
Submit
Top Heart Disease Answerers
159619_tn?1318997813
Blank
erijon
Salt Lake City, UT
976897_tn?1317787410
Blank
ed34
watford, United Kingdom
63984_tn?1333142839
Blank
Flycaster305
OR
237039_tn?1264261657
Blank
ChatterAlly
Lake Jackson, TX
187666_tn?1331176945
Blank
ireneo
Portland, OR
Avatar_f_tn
Blank
grendslori
Grand Rapids, MI
RSS Expert Activity
1741471_tn?1336957856
Blank
LIVE WEBINAR TOMORROW!-SUPER BODY, ... Blank
May 22 by Michael Gonzalez-WallaceBlank
2126606_tn?1335910182
Blank
Fibromyalgia Awareness
May 11 by Clare Waismann Kavin, RASBlank
2126606_tn?1335910182
Blank
Opioid-induced hyperalgesia reduces...
May 03 by Clare Waismann Kavin, RASBlank