Low LVEF

[Greg1950]

How can I improve my LVEF. I had an MI with resulting damage and with the placement of one coated stent in Dec 06. I feel 100 % normal.  I water ski, snow ski in Colorado scuba dive and ride a bike 10 miles 5 days a week.  I have passed all the FAA physical requirements however they will not give me a new FAA physical citing a low EF of 32%. I have had a T Wave Alternans and passed. Any suggestions to improve LVEF. I am taking 25 mg Coreg twice a day.

[kenkeith]

For a normal EF (55-75%) and lack thereof depends on the degree and location of heart muscle damage occurred from the '06 MI.  Your sustained activities to me is an EF greater than the ESTIMATED 32% or your system has some super compensating factors.  However, it is estimated 25% of the heart population has an EF below 29% (heart failure range) and don't realize they have a heart problem.

For heart rehabilation after an MI, thereshould be an ACE inhibitor as well as a beta blocker (coreg) if the condition is ischemic in nature as a stent implant suggests.  This lightens the workload for heart to pump against by dilating the vessels.  Coreg also has a component to stabilize heart rate. Do you or is it suspected you may be susceptable to tachyarrhythmia.  A TWA and Coreg medication seem to imply.

You can take a stress test, with the injection of a dye substance, to determine  the viability of the damaged heart muscle.

I had an MI 4 years ago with an EF29-13% and some heart muscle damage at the distal portion of the heart.  A stent implanted in the RCA provided more blood to that portion of damage, and the regimen of medication, proper diet, etc has improved my EF to 59% currently.  I, also felt quite well throughout and that continues currently as well.

[ohiofill]

TAKE COQ10 AND LOOK IT UP ON THE INTERNET I STARTED TAKING IT A MONTH AGO AND I FEEL GOOD AND HOPING IT WILL WORK FOR BOTH OF US. I STARTED TAKING 100MG A DAY BUT I'M GOING TO GO UP TO 200 AFTER MY MONTH. I WAS AT 25% LVEF WHEN I WAS IN THE HOSPITAL NOW I'M UP TO 45% AND HOPING WITH THE COQ10 AND MY OTHER MEDICINE IT WILL GO UP HIGHER. GOOD LUCK AND KEEP US POSTED.