Hello all! I went in for my routine echocardiogram last week and discussed results with my cardiologist this week. My doctor noted that my ejection fraction was 40-45%. Yikes! It is suppose to be between 50-70% to be in the normal range, so mine is considered below normal. I had an echo in 2007 and it was 50% and again in March, 2008 after my SCA and it was 65% (both in the normal range). He said that it looks like my heart function has worsened. : ( I am going in for another test (MUGA) to get an exact % and not a range. If it is still below normal, then he suggests medication to control this. He also mentioned possible cardiomyopathy, which hasn't been brought up at all in the past. So, I drove home from the dr.'s office freaking out! Has anyone had a % below 50 before? If so, what was your treatment? Also, does anyone know any more info on cardiomyopathy? I have been searching the internet like crazy finding out as much as I can, but thought I'd post this to see if you had any more information. Thanks for your help!
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Echocardiogram Results
- By scopeland75
- Posted January 1, 2009 at 6:47 pm · 7 replies
- In Surviving SCA
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- By Maridee
- Posted January 2, 2009 at 3:17 pm
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We never knew what ejection fraction meant before my husband's SCA on 2/15/07. When he was in the ICU his doctor's approached me with grave faces and said his EF was 20%. "How long has he had a bad heart?" they asked. I responded with "Never before tonight!" Though he had a mitral valve replaced in 2000, he had been skiing the week before in Tahoe. His former cardiologist NEVER checked his EF so we have no idea when it dropped to such a low level. It could have been weeks, days or months or years. Since no baseline was ever noted, we have no idea what happened to make it so low.
In answering your question he now takes medications (I think he takes 3 heart ones) to help build up his heart and his last echo showed his EF to be around 30%. We think that is great news for us considering where it was. And if you were to look at him he looks just fine and normal. Only when the echo is done do we get the real report. I just wish that his other set of doctors had thought about checking his EF on a regular basis as Feb 15th and the resulting SCA might never have happened.
Good luck and keep checking in here. Many people have experienced some of the things you have. If not, they know someone who has. Happy New Year!
- By scopeland75
- Posted January 2, 2009 at 5:11 pm
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Maridee,
Thanks for your reply and the information. I appreciate it. : ) Happy New Year to you too!
Shelly
- By bingo
- Posted January 3, 2009 at 11:35 am
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Maridee,
I had cardiomyopthy. I now have an ICD. I also take
Metropol and Amiodarone for my heart. My ef was
20 to 25%. My cardiologist said the more exercise
I got the better. May God Bless you and your family.
Also have a wonderful New Year.
bingo
- By Brianne
- Posted January 29, 2009 at 6:30 pm
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Hi,
Best of luck to you! I have long qt, cardiomyopathy and suffered a cardiac arrest. My EF is currently 30% and has been at that for the last 1.5yrs. I take a beta blocker and ACE inhibitor to keep my heart functioning at this level. Hope this helps...
-Brianne
- By Bus
- Posted January 30, 2009 at 8:15 am
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Hi sopeland75,
I have 40 % EF and I am 70 yrs old man, thank fully I am retired and don't have to do much.
The medication that helps me is Coreg. (Makes your heart pump more efficiently.) Getting the right amount is a trial & error balance between too much and not enough. More than needed causes me to pass out (syncopy) too small amount lets my heart race. Present dose of 25mg. per day works for my 156 pound weight. Coreg must be taken under a Dr.'s advice. The side effects are that once you start taking Coreg you can't quit or you will die. I thought "right" and I tried to gradually cut down to 0 and in 30 days I had another heart attack. (What a marketing tool.)
Exercise of 30 minutes a day has helped me live longer and keep my weight down.
More Energy to you!
Bus Awakening Heart
- By ttinmass
- Posted January 30, 2009 at 11:41 pm
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keep your chin up and I know it's alot to worrie about.
When I was sick about 1 year ago I my rate was 21% when I was so sick. after my icd inplant my rate is 45% and will never get better and the doctors are amazed I made it this far. 45% might sound real bad but it's alot better then 21%.. Take care and I look forward to seeing your updates on how you are doing.
hope this helps
tony
- By scopeland75
- Posted March 8, 2009 at 7:53 pm
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Well, I went back to the cardiologist to do a follow up test - a MUGA Scan. They decided to give me this test since my EF was 45%. I got the results back and my heart function has improved and is now 60%!!! I am so thankful for the good results... I just wanted to thank everyone for their nice thoughts and encouragement as I was stressing about this!
Take care,
Shelly
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