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Ejection Fraction

I am a 36 year old male who had a full physical last month. All of my tests were normal except for my EKG. The doctor told me that the EKG showed a slight abnormality. He referred me to a cardiologist who in turn ordered several tests including a cardiac catheterization. When it was all said and done the cardiologist said that my catheterization showed normal heart function and no blockages whatsoever. He chalked the abnormal EKG up to a "false positive". However, on my follow-up appointment a different cardiologist advised me that my EJECTION FRACTION was a bit low at 50%. He could not explain why, he simply stated that he likes to see the EJECTION FRACTION at at least 55%. My question is this: Can I live a normal healthy life with an EJECTION FRACTION of 50%. Thanks in advance for any feedback.          
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Avatar universal
Didn't mention my age i am 33 year old male.
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Avatar universal
I had 2 tests done echo and nuclear stress, i have an RBBB as well my tests came all normal and i was reviewing it happen to see EF at 50-55% ans it says probably normal. Is that really normal for a guy my age?
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66068 tn?1365193181
I had a stress cardolite test and an echo on the same day.  I'm looking at the two reports now. From the echo, the tech estimated my LVEF as being 60%. The cardolite stress (myocardial perfusion imaging) led to a calculated LVEF of 45%. Just goes to show how accurate these estimates are.  The important thing is that the cardiologist said my EF was in the normal range.  It seems to me that Jayden's measurment of 50% should be considered NORMAL.
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Avatar universal
The thing is that the EF can be measured by a couple of methods. My dr measures it with 2 and they can be realy diferent. The first one told that i have an EF of 40% and the second that i have an EF over 50%. But the doc said its probably around 40% considering the fact that i have cardyomiopathy. So im just saying maybe if ur cardiologist used another metod it wouldwn bin higher. Who knows? O n by the way those things are newer 100% accurate. Usualy its a couple of percents more or less.
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Avatar universal
Ejection fraction is very confusing!  I started with an echo in Jan of this year...They estimated EF of 55-60.  Then TEE they estimated 50-55.  Recently a heart cath...they estimated 45-50....that is worrisome.  Am I declining or is it just the variability of the different tests?
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61536 tn?1340698163
I've always been in the 50-55 range myself, except for when it hit 70% during my first pregnancy and the upper 40s after my second pregnancy when I had an enlarged heart.  Now it's in the 60s.  Clearly there are variations.  I really wouldn't be worried about 50% at all.  Some doctors feel ideal range is 55-65, but I've only read that.  The doctors I have spoken to have told me 50-70.
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162069 tn?1224677411
you should concern yourself with ejection fraction if it gets lower, but 50 is a good number.   you should see your cardiologist on a regular basis to check this number.   my 22yr old daughter has had an ef of 35% for 2 1/2yrs and they say that if it remains at that number (she has cardiomyopathy) it is considered stable.  you are a young man, so with a number of 50 you should make sure to follow up with your dr on a regular basis to make sure that this number is where it should be.
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Avatar universal
So basically if my cardiac catheterization is normal (which it was) then I should not concern myself with the EJECTION FRACTION? The Cardiologist did not seem concerned. He just prescribed me some Lipitor and wanted me to get bloodwork done in 3 months to re-check my cholesterol and liver enzymes.
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Avatar universal
just my 2 cents...my EF was measured at 55% last summer while in A-fib and it was measured at 65% two times later this year. I would imagine there is some degree of variance.
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84483 tn?1289937937
I think most centers considers an EF of 50% or higher within the normal range, though 50% would be considered low normal, once all your other testing comes back normal I would not think this would be a concern.

The ranges as far as I know goes as follows 50-75%  at some centers and 55-70% at others, I don't think once your heart is deemed otherwise normal a +/-5% in EF is really significant at all.
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216614 tn?1195665072
Sure you can, but you might want to discuss follow up testing in a few months simply to make sure that it is steady at that rate, and not on a downward slide, which could be indicative of other issues.  
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Avatar universal
I am living what I consider normal and healthy at 32%
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