low ejection fraction

[dianegloria]

How serious is an ef rate of 15? can this be fatal?

[dave1726]

   Exercise capacity is more often associated with diastolic function rather than systolic function; a fact not often discussed. Your EF% is what percentage of your LVEDV is pumped out with each beat. The normal range is typically 50-75%, and EF% is generally stable throughout the lifespan if no pathology is involved. What does change is the diastolic volume in the ventricles, which tends to decline with age. Now, obviously at 15% EF you would be considered to be in systolic heart failure. Your stroke volume (the amount that gets pumped out to the body with each beat) should be above 50mL, so at 15% it would be virtually impossible to reach this healthy stroke volume minimum unless you had an insanely high LVEDV. You'd have to have 333.5mL end diastolic volume in the left ventricle, which can only be achieved if the heart stretches out to an unhealthy level. This is where you get dilated cardiomyopathy, or perhaps even hypertropic cardiomyopathy if the heart walls thicken in addition to stretching.

[orville13]

ever do that stem cell procedure?  I read about it only recently in Sci American and it sure sounds promising. update?

[JIMINPENSACOLA]

NO ONE OTHER THAN CHEVY MAN READ MY POST...MORE RECENTLY, I APPLIED FOR A NATIONAL INSTITUTE OF  HEALTH (NIH) STEM CELL STUDY.  THIS DOUBLE BLIND STUDY TOOK STEM CELLS FROM YOUR HIP AND INSERTED THEM INTO DAMAGED AREAS OF THE HEART. THIS $3 MILLION DOLLAR 3 YEAR STUDY ASKED THAT I PAY WHATEVER COSTS MEDICARE AND MY INSURANCE WOULD NOT PAY....WELL FOLKS, MEDICARE HAS NO CODE FOR PAYMENT.  IF MY CARDIOLOGIST HAD NOT POINTED THIS OUT TO ME. I WOULD HAVE BEEN ON THE HOOK FOR MY LIFES SAVINGS.  I THOUGHT THE NIH WOULD HAVE TAKEN CARE IF THE TESTS/PROCEDURES.  HAS ANYONE OUT THERE EVER HAD A STEM CELL PROCEDURE? ***@****

[JIMINPENSACOLA]

I have had several nuclear stress tests.  My ejection fraction is inconsitant, Ranging from a high of 42 in 1979 to a recent low of 16.  and yet I play doubles tennis 3 days a weeks for 2 hours with no shortness of breath. Do modest weights, walk a mile a day,  6 foot 2, 195 pounds, 36 waist. I was off meds for 3 days prior to test.
Is it possible that attrial fribullation, pvc's can lower my ejection fraction number?
I am 74 and feel well. my HDL is 40 ,  LDL 40 VlDL 8.  I take coumadin for attrial fribullation. cardovol to lower my heart rate,,,,,,Several type 2 diabetic meds.
Anyone out there with similary symptoms. Recommendations?
JIMINPENSACOLA

[cindy707]

An EF can be increased thru diet and meds Diane and only your doc can tell you if there are life threatening issues with your particular circumstance because they have to take alot of other things into consideration.  Diet, exercise and meds can increase it dramatically in some cases...at 15% obviously the blood flow is not doing its best because of the pumping action but i have seen people with alot lower EF's that snap back quick and others that do not...it all depends on the person, their medical hx., their lifestyle...the best person to ask this is the doc who gave you the results and then ask them what their plan is to bring the EF % up....hope this was somewhat helpful