Can EF be improved

Most Docs I've spoken with have stated a person's ejection fraction cannot be improved ------ one can only help save what they have left. A recent magazine issue had (can't recall the name) an article where the author was going down the same heart failure path as his dad. He decided to walk, walk, and walk some more to combat his heart issue. After a number of months, his cardiologist was amazed that he increased his EF from 18% to 40% -- a feat the doc considered impossible beforehand. (BTW: a study of the heart's EF via an echo is pretty much subjective - a point to keep in mind: a study by two different docs may yield two different findings) My situation?: Medtronic VIVA XT ICD / 6'01" / Non smoker / weight down to 195 from 240 / I enjoy a single daily beer/wine / 5 miles per day @ 3.7mph on the treadmill. EF: 20%-30% Do I stand a chance for an improved EF?

6 Comments

yup, you stand a chance

by capecod - 2015-04-09 08:04:12

dave
everyone's situation is different but the doc who said EF cannot be improved has not spoken to me...mine improved after my crt-procedure a year ago. others on this site have also experienced improved ejection fraction. hope they chime in.

also, interpretation of parts of tests can be subjective but my results were in ranges etc, 10-15 or 20-25 or 25-30. clearly there was improvement. I've gone from 10-15 to 30-35 in a littles less than a year.

keep with your healthy lifestyle.
good luck
patty

Improved EF

by Grateful Heart - 2015-04-09 10:04:37

Yes Dave, it is possible. It doesn't state in your Bio why you needed your device but a quick look at your model indicates it is a CRT-D so you are being paced in both ventricles.

I was diagnosed with cardiomyopathy, SSS and LBBB 6 years ago. My EF was 24% before my implant.
6-12 months after my implant, my EF was 50% and has remained there so far. Also, my heart is no longer enlarged! I am extremely lucky, I know.

I will be due for another Echo in a few weeks and I'm hoping for continued good news.

No one has an EF of 100%. 55%-70% is considered "normal" so I am on the lower side of normal....I'll take it! You may be aware of this but some others may not, so I am stating that for them as well.

Just so you know, I have had Echos performed by my 2 different Cardios with the same results...50%.

I too lost weight, never smoked and got back into exercise after my implant...all of that definitely helps. I don't have a daily drink though.....hmmm.

It is important to go by how you feel. It's too easy to get caught up by the numbers.....I tend to do that myself. I guess we are programmed that way.

When are you due for your next Echo? Let us know how it goes.

Grateful Heart

drs don't know everything

by Tracey_E - 2015-04-10 09:04:47

We are all individuals, not statistics, so imo "no chance" never ever means zero chance. I was told by two drs for two different health problems that there was no chance I'd ever have kids. I have two. I went skiing last month with a woman who's beaten 4 types of cancer, had both knees, both hips and both shoulders replaced. I'm sure she's lost track of the times she's been told she can't do it. I could go on but you get the point.

I don't believe the prevailing belief is EF cannot be improved because there is quite a bit of evidence to the contrary. It's not a sure thing, but there are many success stories. You're doing the right things, keep it up. Never give up hope.

Thanks gang!

by Dave H - 2015-04-10 11:04:26

Next echo is scheduled for mid July ---- I hope to see an improvement. Ornery thing that happened last night is I got water in my right ear and a bit of ear wax in there is bugging me! Couldn't sleep ---- nephew is getting married today ------ spouse wants me to sleep, BUT --- I gotta do the treadmill!!!

EF

by Ellen - 2015-04-10 12:04:39

Hi! My EF was at 28 in 2003, and now it is 55-58. I had a pacemaker implanted in 2003, and when the battery ran down, a CRT-pacemaker in 2013. The cardiologist put me on Coreg and it helped my CHF and EF.

EF

by me2 - 2015-04-11 04:04:05

In 2010 my EF was 15% I'm 79 with a CRT-D pacemaker, and a pile of drugs. Currently my EF is 70%. Go figure.

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