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Ejection fraction issues
I have a shortness of breath when I walk up stairs, carry groceries. Go dancing just to name a few and last week I found out my ejection fraction in the resting and relaxed position was 55 percent, when my heart is under pressure the ejection fraction drops down to 45 percent. I was told the reason is when I had my heart attack it killed some of the heart muscle, cardiologist stated not much can be done at this point other than loose weight, excersise, keep eating a healthy and balanced diet, has anyone else experienced this situation?
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@davej
Your resting EF is normal (50-70).
My heart failure was caused by virus infection of heart not heart attack. The muscle does suffer damage and no longer works like yours did. With a virus (cardiomyopathy) causes scar tissue and I had electrical problems that required a ICD/Pacemaker.
You EF at exercise is 45%. That too is not bad. My EF is 25-30 and I swim, bike, walk.
If you are overweight yes medical experts (and my doctors) say lose the extra weight but do not do just from diet but exercise also so you maintain your fitness level. Being overweight (mine is like a yo yo) is going to cause your heart to work harder than is needs to and is going to help.
Have your cardiologist mentioned medications like Entresto, etc.? They are specifically for heart failure. When I write heart failure I hate the term. Your heart has not failed. It only means not pumping the normal amount of blood it should. I prefer reduced heart function. There are medications out there that relax blood vessels and allow blood to flow easier. Some improve ejection fraction. You did not mentioned your blood pressure.
How far is you weight up?
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1 ReactionThat EF is not bad, and they didn't suggest you have any valve defects, no atrial or ventricular enlargement, no cardiomyopathy...just some cell death due to a previously undiagnosed infarct...somewhere. So there may be some other underlying issue, maybe to do with lungs and gas exchange in them.
@davej
I commented on your post earlier.
How long were you in recovery when you had your heart attack? Did you have an extended time you were not exercising like you used too?
I mentioned that as I am an avid exerciser all my life. I know when I have surgery, had COVID, came down with virus that put me out for a month I would come back expecting to be at same fitness level and you are not.
I was told my Mayo PCP that it only takes 2 weeks for you to lose fitnesss levels when not using the muscles you used to. At 6 weeks laying off really sets you back. I thought about this as I really feel the difference when I am down and out for awhile. I have learned to expect the shortness of breath, less stamina, ability where I was before a lay off and not expect to do same level for some time.
Could this be an explanation of your fitness level going down after you had your heart attack? Did you go through cardiac rehabilitation? Again talk to your doctors about medications, exercise routines, etc. They may think you just need to improve your fitness level and that will take some time.
Good luck!!!