ejection fraction

• By cajngrl
• Reply 3138402
• June 14, 2012 at 8:51 pm
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I have a low EF and did quite a bit of research on this. There is no proven research that supplements will help improve your EF. Although, many may make such a claim.

If you have a low EF due to heart muscle damage, the chances of the muscle coming back are slim to none. I do have heart muscle damage and have pretty much come to accept that my EF will not improve. My goal is to do whatever I can to keep it where it is.

• By JERSEYSIDE
• Reply 3139073
• June 15, 2012 at 7:48 am
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Hi. Once I got on 5mgs of Enalapril as well as taking Co 10, Lovaza, LArginine my EF went from 33 to between 40-45. It was a year of trial and error with a lot of testing and different meds to see what would work. I did this all under the supervision of my cardiologist. In addition each time I learned something new on this site I would discuss with the doc and then try it. Good luck.

• By Pchyk
• Reply 3139103
• June 15, 2012 at 8:12 am
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I have a lot of heart damage and for that I have to work hard to maintain what I have. I take spironolactone and supplements are out of the question, any type of supplement.

• By r4
• Reply 3139272
• June 15, 2012 at 9:28 am
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I have a weak heart, and I am stable and I have been a treated heart patient for 10 years. In other words, I am still here, and I am still active!

I am careful about always taking my heart medications, I do take some daily supplements including a multivitamin, I watch what I eat and drink very carefully, and I stay walking around, up and about, active, but I have learned that I have to build in lots of rests and rest.

Up until my second defibrillator implant, I worked out once a week with a trainer - very carefully! The day before my implant was my last session with her, and I learned so much about my body and my muscles. throughout the six or so months that we worked together. I talked to her a great deal about the parts of my body that needed strengthening and why, and she listened very carefully. We worked at doing the reps slowly and carefully with proper, conscious breath.

Since my new defibrillator implant, my muscles have more electric power, but the oxygen just is not getting there on time. So breath has become a more important issue than it was before. Therefore after much thought and research, my spouse found a yoga instructor who works a great deal with breath. That is what I am concentrating on now, and of course yoga also works at strengthening muscles. Of course I also use a stationary bike or elliptical just about every day.

I believe in considering everything that you swallow as medication, whether it is ice cream or a pill or a steak. I also believe in MOVING YOUR BODY.

Love to you,
Ruth

• By shamal
• Reply 3139376
• June 15, 2012 at 10:05 am
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I read your post and the response and agree that exercise is very important. I think nutrition is also important.Natural herbs can
certainly help and medicines that make the heart work less hard are essential. I think that ejection fractions can go up and down and that one can be in and out of the symptoms of CHF but never free of the condition itself.The trick is to keep the EF as high as possible. This doesn't mean that your symptoms of a compromised heart may go down as the EF goes up. Some people with
low EF have little symptoms or fatigue/shortness of breath while others with higher EF still feel bad.
In any event-doctors agree that (careful) exercise,walking,a positive attitude,healthy weight,healthy nutrition,no alcohol or smoking and a low sodium diet all contribute to strengthening the heart.
Best wishes for a long life

• By cali_2012
• Reply 3140584
• June 15, 2012 at 8:21 pm
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I had a heart attack in November 2011. My EF is 30. It has not gone up in the six months since the MI. I am taking Lovasa,Spironolactone,Carvidilol.Plavix,Coumadin and Livalo . I have had a few TEE tests and Echo. Is there any other way to improve on the EF? My doctor wants me to get the AICD if the next test is still at 30. Don't get me wrong, I feel blessed to still be here to try to get better. And I believe my doctors are the best around. This website is a great source of comfort.

• By cajngrl
• Reply 3140632
• June 15, 2012 at 8:56 pm
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My EF is right at 35 and has been at that same number since my massive MI nearly 3 years ago. I was advised 3 months after my MI to get an ICD implanted and I did just that. Today, I feel great. I asked my doc point blank, "What can I proactively do to get my EF up"? He told me that I am already doing everything that I can. There are some cases where EF will imporve. For me, my low EF is due to severe heart damage to my lower left chamber, or the pumping side of my heart. Like I said earlier in this string, I feel great. Some say that EF is just a number and that if you feel great, well, then ejection fraction really is sort of insignificant.

• By Pchyk
• Reply 3140870
• June 15, 2012 at 11:21 pm
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My EF is 40, it has been that way since a massive Mi a year and a half ago. The lower chambers of my heart are gone so I can't get an ICD. I still work full time and I do cardiac maintenance three days a week or I try, some times work doesn't allow me to. For me breathing is the worse part and I most be careful if I bend over. It's hard but life is good.

• By peppermint55 (Inactive)
• Reply 3141189
• June 16, 2012 at 7:33 am
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Please read "Reverse Heart Disease Now" by cardiologist Dr. Stephen Sinatra who has had great success in EF rates in patients by use of COQ10 and other supplements. Many of his patients had much worse numbers than the ones you got have listed and have been much Improved - even those with complete heart failure! I urge everyone with any kind of heart issues to read this book. It is well written in layman's terms and gave me the knowledge I need to challenge my own doctor's to "think outside the box". they lsomeone and are thrilled that I am someone who wants to be pro-active in my health care.

You have to understand that doctors are NOT taught in school about nutrition and supplements.

• By Roamie
• Reply 3141204
• June 16, 2012 at 7:47 am
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I had my heart attack in 1997. I have a ICD and have lived with a EF of 30. I get exercise, eat healthy but due to the damage to my heart my EF will probably remain the same. Don't be afraid, when you get tired rest. When you have good days thank God.

• By belsheart
• Reply 3141644
• June 16, 2012 at 11:34 am
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i really appreciate these comments. I'm still new to this and it is so helpful to hear about other people's experiences. It sounds like many of us, even if for different reasons, are contending with heart damage. From what I'm hearing, the damage can't be undone, but it is still possible to work toward keeping that EF from going lower.
thanks everyone

• By tinvender
• Reply 3141798
• June 16, 2012 at 12:39 pm
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I have been helped by taking plant based B supplements. The store bought synthetic didn't help at all. A Mediterannean diet has also helped and recently I purchased an exercise plan called PACE. Created by a DR Sears its goal is to strengthen the heart and lungs capacity more than endurance. It consisted of 12 minutes only exercise a day done in 3 divisions with rest in between. There are three levels to choose from and you only do what you can do. Over time you should build up your endurance and strength, I have been very pleased with it. I also go to cardiac rehab 3 times a week.

Of course any exercise program must be approved by your DR... mine suggested this to me,

• By Dpositive
• Reply 3141932
• June 16, 2012 at 1:42 pm
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Great discussion and comments! My EF is 15. I have been religiously taking my medications, watching my diet and learning all I can about my heart...I feel better now than I have in at least 8 months or longer and I plan to add more exercise into my day as soon as my cardiologist gives me the green light...breathing and feeling like I can get enough air into my body is a bit of an issue so I just try to not panic about that and relax... I hadn't thought of yoga, but may give that a try. Do any of you do water aerobics? I didn't know if that would get my heart rate too high?
Everyone take care of yourselves...stay strong and God Bless!
Debbie :o)

• By shamal
• Reply 3142142 · In reply to 3141932 by Dpositive
• June 16, 2012 at 4:05 pm
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Take heart(no pun intended),three years ago my EF was down where yours is and now it has stayed at around 60(normal) for the past two years.
I was told I could swim but to curtail heavy exercise or the like in favor of steady swimming and brisk walking as the heart healed and repaired itself. If you have a pacemaker and especially a defibrillator that is set to a certain threshold,it is important to not exercise hard enough to cause problems.Yoga is great and I am learning Tai Chi.Only your doctor can advise you as to appropriate exercise or sometimes hospitals have cardio rehab specialists that will talk with you.
Enjoy life.

• By LucieCoyote
• Reply 3142146
• June 16, 2012 at 4:07 pm
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I managed to increase my EF from 15% to 25% in 3 months through diet, exercise and medications. I am determined to improve even more. How long should I give myself to improve before I consider an ICD? I would like to avoid that if at all possible.

• By LowSodiumGirl
• Reply 3142528 · In reply to 3140632 by cajngrl
• June 16, 2012 at 8:07 pm
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What is MI?

• By LucieCoyote
• Reply 3142572 · In reply to 3142528 by LowSodiumGirl
• June 16, 2012 at 8:48 pm
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MI = Myocardial infarction = Heart attack

• By shamal
• Reply 3142614 · In reply to 3142146 by LucieCoyote
• June 16, 2012 at 9:19 pm
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Even though an ICD operation is certainly a serious step-I wish they had implanted one years ago as so much wear and tear would have not happened to my heart over time. Finally,getting the correct meds and the correct ICD,programmed correctly for my particular pacing needs,allowed my heart to heal and repair (which helped bring up the EF). However,it depends on your particular heart problem as to if an ICD is appropriate. Ask your doctors what the advantages and risks are.

• By CarolJean65
• Reply 3146655
• June 18, 2012 at 6:50 pm
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Cajngrl: Thanks for your comments about EF .. I have been thinking that my "hope" is for my EF to improve and your comments are so reassuring. I'm doing pretty well physically (now 7 weeks out from the DCM dx) but still adujusting to meds. I hope to have another ECHO in 2 months. Thanks to all of you for your comments .. so many helpful thoughts!

• By RobynD
• Reply 3148773 · In reply to 3142146 by LucieCoyote
• June 19, 2012 at 2:58 pm
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I had an ICD implanted a month ago and feel it was the best thing for me to do. Since I have dilated cardiomyopathy with left bundle branch block, enlarged heart and an EF of 25 I am at risk for heart failure. The ICD will shock my heart back into rhythm if it starts to fail. To me this is a backup that might well save my life, and yours. My ICD surgery went easily but the emotional adjustment period has been stressful. It's scary to have heart disease and to have this thing stuck in my chest. I really miss sleeping on my left side...
My advice to you is to have an ICD implanted - it's like having a minature ER doc yelling "Clear!" and giving your heart the necessary shock to bring it back into rhythm. It's better than going into heart failure and passing away.
Good luck, Robyn