Join now

Already a member? Sign in

Welcome to Inspire!

What - Inspire is a place where you can connect with people who share your health concerns and find information and advice in groups sponsored by organizations you know and trust.

Why - As a member you can use Inspire to let friends and family know how you're doing, contact others who share your health concerns, receive personalized updates and information about participating in surveys and clinical trials, and more.

How - Joining Inspire is completely free and usually takes less than a minute. Join now!

corner corner corner

Question regarding Echo and Stress Test Results

south127
0 Recommendations

I reeived a copy of my Echo and Stress Test Results (performed last month). I'm confused (which seem to be a perpetual state:-)...maybe some one could clarify thos seeming disparity. The ejection fraction rate on the Thallium Stress Test was 59, yet the EFR on the Echo was 50. The echo also show mild left ventricular diastolic dysfunction, mild elevation of right heart pressure and moderate tricuspid regurgitation - my cardiologist didn't mention any of this..said I'm doing great and he'll see me in a year. It doesn't sound catastrophic to me...but doesn't sound "great" to me. Please enlighten me with you hard earned knowledge.

Explore topics in this discussion:

Heart disease Coreg Stress

12 replies

martzj

Our test EF results are very similar. I couldn't get my cardio to elaborate at all about the 9 point gap and what that meant beyond 'we use different standards on each test'. duh!!!!! Your numbers are definitely considered in the ok range.... < 51 is considered low side of normal according to my cardio.

'Doing great' means to me that there isn't anything within actionable medical range at this point. Which has little to do with what is actually going on inside my chest. Since the stress test EF was taken while I was walking uphill on that treadmill, I am guessing that EF was a gauge of heart perfusion during upright, standing activity. Echo is taken when I'm lying flat & immobile, told to hold my breath over and over.......so they can get images and wall thickness measurements. Both of these tests are done in such artificial conditions and forced instances of immobility that I don't consider them more than vague snap shots of artificial conditions and forced instances of immobility.

Elizabet

Hi, south127

you mentioned that your EF was 59 - I've attached a link for you, its about the best article I've read that explains the EF.

As for Ejection Fraction, the general range is 50 - 70 with 55 being the "cutoff" so 59 is pretty good.

It is interesting that the EF is usually higher for women than men and we don't know why.

Since some women's symptoms can be masked and the major function of the heart is to pump, seems pretty important to know how well your heart is pumping.

I can't comment abt the echo but I will encourage you to get your questions answered - even if it means another appointment, the stress of not having answers can also tax your heart.

Here's the link:

http://www.hearthealthywomen.org/index.php?view=article&id=652&Itemid=1&opt ion=com_content

Best to you,
Lisa
www.lisahollandphd.com

south127

Thanks Jaynie
Jaynie, you are a great source of information and comfort to me.
Luv ya,
Sue

south127

Thanks Jaynie
Jaynie, you are a great source of information and comfort to me.
Luv ya,
Sue (I think I sent this to Lisa by mistake)

Ecksunbeam

Dear South,

I can't explain the discrepancy in EF, but in plain English, the rest is saying there is very little residual damage to your heart. You are, indeed, doing Great!

May the Blessings Be!

Sherrie

Rose

Lisa,

Thanks for that information. I don't know why, but I continually have a hard time understand all the heart
functions. After four years one would think I would understand EF but I didn't, until now. Thank you so much. I checked out your site and have added you to my favorites. Wish you lived in the Baltimore area because you actually get it that our emotions are part of heart disease.

Keep up the good work.

Warm Regards,

Rose

south127

Hi Sherrie,

You are so right. I guess "inquiring minds, just want to know" ;-)

Have a happy and healthy day.
Sue

kk_stl

Hi South127
I went through this when looking over my mom's heart tests. I noticed the same EF discrepancy among the 2 tests and the catheterization test! Bottomline, they are all estimates. I always heard the cath test was the gold standard of tests.

They are primarily looking for blockages via the stress test and looking at the function of the valves from the echo but there could be many other reasons these tests are ordered. I'm not familiar with your medical history.

"Moderate" regurgitation could be trouble down the road. It means the valve isn't closing properly and is leaking. Other than that, I will refer you to what I found on the internet as I am not a medical professional of any type! lol

http://adam.about.com/encyclopedia/infectiousdiseases/Tricuspid-regurgitati on.htm

I overlook anything with a reference of "mild" and just focus on "moderate" and "severe". Those are the terms they use to describe things.

My mom's cardio pulls the same crap about not explaining things unless he is backed into a corner. I guess their philosophy is why worry a patient until the time comes when medical intervention is needed. She also is almost 80 years old so the doctor knows it is me who is probing for clear answers. Well, for one, I would prefer a "preventive" approach to my mom's medical care. If there is something I can do to keep a "moderate" problem from becoming worse, bring it on! At her age, maybe they choose just to react. I don't know but it pisses me off at times.

Hope you get the answers you need! My guess is as long as you aren't presenting with symptoms they won't do anything more but it would be nice to know what symptoms you should be on the lookout for!!

KK

south127

KK,

Thanks for the info. Each day is a challenge...I'm so thankful for my heart sisters.

XXOO,
Sue

laurali

Hi Sue! When I had my complete heart block, I had a stress test, echo, and cardiac cath. Got 3 different numbers for EF-- I think they were 24,26, and 29%. My cardio doc said that is not at all unusual and the the cath number was likely the most accurate. EF%, like many functions in the body, ie., Blood Pressure, temperature, etc. is somewhat flexible in order to meet demands. After 9 months on Coreg, my EF was 58% and has remained in the low-normal range for the past 3 years. Hugs, laurali

south127

Laurali,

I need to check my EF% from my last cath. I'm glad to see your percentage have increased.

Hugs,
Sue

Elizabet

Hi Rose
Thanks for your kind reply and for visiting the site/blog. I started it recently because I was frustrated that my patients weren't getting enough information about the emotional correlates to heart issues/disease.

And the article, yes, there can be so much incorrect and convoluted information floating around that when I come across an article that makes solid medical and psychological sense, I pass it on.

I have patients who will mention having stress tests and when I ask about EF, its often overlooked. There is a small lingering debate about its overall helpfulness, but when I hear a woman report symptoms of fatigue - I'm thinking "poor pumping."

My thought is - women, more so than men, seem to consider fatigue as just part of life with family and home and work... so...they disregard this symptom too often.

Hey, thanks again for your kind words, it would be nice to travel around on my little soapbox!

Lisa

Add to the discussion

Don't have an Inspire account? Join now!

Forgot password?

Group leaders

You