what is a normal ejection fraction/LVH

[tickertock]

Thanks for taking my question. I am a bit confused as to what most cardiologist consider a normal ejection fraction, I have seen conflicting numbers though the difference being very small.

I have seen 50-70% as normal , then 55-75% as normal. What numbers or % do CCF use? Would you consider an EF of 50% and over normal?

  The reason I ask my last echo 2 months ago on the printout it showed an Ef of 53%, yet in the doctors office he said my EF was actually 55-60%, when I received a copy of the echo report it said 53%, I called and asked him about the difference in the printout and what he told me, he said my Ef was what he told me 55-60% and the number on the printout was of no significance, that I had no signs of cardiomyopathy. Even if my Ef 53% , would you still consider that normal? From what i gather most centers and cardiologist consider 50% and above normal, though I seen guidelines with the low being 55%, this is confusing,I just some clarification.

My EF 5 years was 65-70%, I understand it can vary, he told me that time I was more nervous and that my heart was a bit hyperkinetic then, Would you agree that increased anxiety with your heart punding harder , even if no that much faster can increase your EF?

I was told 5 years ago I had borderline hypertrophy at 12mm interventricular septum, now the printout shows 14mm, he told me my hypertrophy was mild, this was the only thing that was out of range on my echo, all other measurements was normal. I do push ups regularly to keep my back straight because of a CTD I have, Would this cause mild LVH? Thanx

[Poli3]

It seems like you have had your fair share of  uncertain diagnosis too.

I was informed this weekend that an EKG done in the doctor's office is not reliable unless they have a special room The reason for this is because their is so much other electrical  interference in other offices.

It is alarming that we may or may not have LVH based on this EKG.
I hope we can all get this straightened out.
I am going to pursue this further
Good luck to you.

[tickertock]

When I had my echo done 5 years ago, I had the minimal voltage criteria for LVH on my EKG, so the echo was done right there in the doc's office, it only revealed borderline hypertrophy. After 5 years I got another echo 2 months ago by the same cardio, even though my EKGs , GET THIS, for the last 2 years did not suggest LVH, apparently my LVH had progressed from borderline to mild LVH, yet the EKG did not suggest this. I had suffered from mild hypertension which I considered controlled, 115/75 nearly everytime I took it at home.

Yet this time my cardio samed less concerned and told me to see him in 2 years, to be honest I hate to doubt my cardio and take the medication as directed, now my B/P is around 105/70 on average, his motto is lower the better once you don't have symptoms. I really wonder if I truly have LVH , but I don't want to second guess my cardio, but I'm seriously considering a second opinion, my heart according to him is otherwise very healthy and strong with no valve leakages or other structural abnormalities, yet I suffer from PVCs occasionally.

[Poli3]

Well, thank you everyone for your comments.

I asked my doctor about getting an echo,and he said that they only do them if they can't get blood pressure under control.

he said that the EKG indicated I had evidence of LVH, because he had it read by a cardiologist.

So, maybe I will get another opinion now.

I don't understand this line of reasoning on his part at all.

Thanks again.

[tickertock]

That's a good one , I have seen articles that states a man's EF should be higher than a woman's, then I have read the opposite that women EF should be slightly higher than men, from what i gather this is pure theory and speculation for the most part and that whether a man or woman once your EF falls within  within the normal range it really doesn't matter. I am not a medical doctor this is my understanding only.

[long]

Does anyone know what is the best EF% in men?

[tickertock]

EKGs are not accurate for detecting LVH, they can give false positives, the echocardiogram is the gold standard for detecting LVH. If you really want to know have an echo , it can give you the dimensions of heart fairly accurately, your EF, and condition of your heart valves. Good luck.