Aa
Aa
A
A
A
Close
Avatar universal

How to improve EF % - Diagnosed CHF with 12% EF

Hi, I'm a 44-year-old female that was born with congenital heart disease. I had open heart surgery when I was an infant and have not had any issues since. I have a pronounced murmur but have never been on medication. I was diagnosed with CHF with a 12% EF in early December. I feel good most of the time except I'm sleepy a lot. Not just tired, but sleepy - but I'm still able to work full time and do light house cleaning and am starting a walking program this week to get some exercise in. I was in AFIB for well over a year according to my Apple watch and knew I had issues with my heart but was waiting until the January to go to the doctor since that is when my insurance would kick-in but I woke up one morning with an intense pain in my lower left kidney area and after 5 hours of hoping it would go away, I finally went to the ER. Turns out my kidney was blocked 90% by a blood clot. While in the ER they noticed my heart was beating erratically and did an EKG and discovered I was in AFIB and sent me to another hospital via ambulance. It was a very scary situation for sure, but the hospital staff was amazing. While there they told me my heart had a 12% EF and that I would likely need a heart transplant within a year. A week later I was released with 7 medications and a LifeVest with plans to get a pacemaker after the 1st of the year. The heart failure team and cardiology team want to try a pacemaker before looking for a new heart. I pray the pacemaker works wonder. Anyone else with an EF below 15% and have been able to make improvements to increase your EF? If so, what has worked for you?
1 Responses
Sort by: Helpful Oldest Newest
Avatar universal
Mine ef was 18% one year ago.  It is 35% now. Exercise medication crt-d device.
Helpful - 0
Have an Answer?

You are reading content posted in the Congestive Heart Failure Community

Top Heart Disease Answerers
159619 tn?1707018272
Salt Lake City, UT
11548417 tn?1506080564
Netherlands
Learn About Top Answerers
Didn't find the answer you were looking for?
Ask a question
Popular Resources
Is a low-fat diet really that heart healthy after all? James D. Nicolantonio, PharmD, urges us to reconsider decades-long dietary guidelines.
Can depression and anxiety cause heart disease? Get the facts in this Missouri Medicine report.
Fish oil, folic acid, vitamin C. Find out if these supplements are heart-healthy or overhyped.
Learn what happens before, during and after a heart attack occurs.
What are the pros and cons of taking fish oil for heart health? Find out in this article from Missouri Medicine.
How to lower your heart attack risk.