Improved Ejection Fraction

[kent069]

Could the Ejection Fraction of my damaged heart improve from 25-30% to 40-45% after 10 years? My recent Echocardiogram indicates that it has!

In 1998 at the age of 47 I had a heart attack with 4 blockages in my LV.  One was 100%, 3 were 90+%, and the fourth was 70%.  One was stented the day of the attack, and 2 more were stented 3 weeks later.  The fourth was left alone.  I had a large thrombus in the bottom of the LV that gradually spread out along the heart wall during the next several years. I was placed on several meds including Coumadin and 81 mg Aspirin.  I currently take those plus 8 others.

I have chest pain daily but rarely take Nitro.  Only twice in the past year.

We moved 2 years ago and my new Cardiologist decided to give me the Echo, after I experienced a bad chest pain episode last week when I had to take a Nitro. The results came back  with EF of 40-45%.  It had never been higher than the low 30's before and I had been advised by two different Cardiologists that I needed an ICD, which I refused.

I am now 58, 5' 10", 175 lbs. I feel & function worse than I did two years ago. Wouldn't I feel better if my EF had improved to 40-45%?  

Thanks
Kent069
  

[kenkeith]

Ejection fractions are estimates of the percentage of blood pumped out of the left ventricle with each heartbeat, and it is not a static parameter and variations can be within the range you site.  

Also, your heart muscle can strengthened with medication and aerobic exercise, and that will increase EF.  It is estimated there are about 26% of the heart disorder population that have an EF below 29% (considered heart failure mode) and are not aware and go about their daily activites feeling well.  There are individuals that have a higher EF that may not compensate as well and have symptoms.

Five years ago, I had a silent heart attack and was diagnosed with congested heart failure and EF was 13-29% with an enlarged (dilated) left ventricle.  Today may heart is normal size and EF is normal...medication has been effective, proper diet, exercise, provided relief.