EF of 55.

[ezm]

50 years old. 6'2" @ 245 lbs. Inactive for a few years due to spine (fusion in 2/10). Will cardio/losing weight help my EF?

[kenkeith]

QUOTE: "50 years old. 6'2" @ 245 lbs. Inactive for a few years due to spine (fusion in 2/10). Will cardio/losing weight help my EF?"

>>>>Normal EF (ejection fraction) is 55 to 75% and is the percent of blood pumped into circulation with each heartbeat. If you are out of condition as you indicate, the heart pumps less efficiently and pumps against more resistance with the additional body weight. The overworked heart can enlarge and an enlarged heart can reduce the EF.

Exercise (aerobic) can/will increase the heart's contractility...more efficient and an increase of oxygenated blood with each heartbeat (increased EF).  Less resistance and better contactility reduces the heart rate as well.

[hosehead]

By EF do you ejection fraction?  And from what I've been told,  55 is on the high end of good at least as far as Left Ventricle Ejection Fraction (LVEF) is concerned.  I am in a-fib and it has caused my LVEF to be 35% which translates to approximately 35% reduction.  If I can give you any advice if you are new to serious health issues, it seems like more of an art form than science.  From 100 cardiologists you'll likely get 75 treatment options for the same issue.  Weed through it, ask questions, keep a detailed journal of where when why who told you what and make your own informed decisions.
Good luck.  

Todd

[ed34]

It is in the normal range now but exercise will improve it over time.