Borderline Normal

[Pete1451]

I  (57 yo male) just received the results of a stress test (Bruce protocol).  I thought my heart was healthy, but asked for this test before starting an exercise regimen after not exercising regularly for the past few years.

The "borderline normal " results were:

1. Ischemic changes confined to a small segment of the interior-apical wall of the left ventricle as well as the septal wall.

2. Borderline ejection fraction of 49% at rest.

My father had a pacemaker and mitral valve replacement (at age 78) , and recently died at  age 95.  His father was 90 when he died.

Could you decipher this in to plain English?  My PCP says I have to see the cardiologist, but it won't be for several weeks.  I don't want to worry unnecessarily.

Is this a reversable condition?

Many Thanks
Pete

[kenkeith]

It is difficult to provide a very informative answer without further information.  The
Bruce protocol has a sensitivity rating of about 70% and not very reliable without some knowledge of medcial history, symptoms, medication if any, etc.  

EF 49% is below the normal range of 55 to 75%.  Usually, a low EF indicates a heart muscle impairment causing weaker than normal contractions.

I am comparing my 3 year-old stress report to the question you ask regarding ischemic change and reversibility.  The segments of the wall are different but it states reversible defects indicate ischemia or a reduction of blood flow with increasing metabolic demands.  The fact the resting images return to normal (reverse) indicates there has been no permanent injury to the heart muscle.  EF was 34% at the time.  Today it is 59%.

There is very little cause to worry, but the EF49% maybe of some concern although it is an estimate and probably closer to normal considering a margin of error.