weak heart

[karennfla]

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

[Flycaster305]

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.

[kenkeith]

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.