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Dr. Andrew Rynne
MD
Dr. Andrew Rynne

Family Physician

Exp 50 years

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What Does Low EF Level After Heart Attack Indicate?

Hi my father had a severe heart attack 3 weeks ago. He is 63 years old. Doc says his EF level is 20-25% that is very low and we can t do angiography as it is dangerous for him. He is on med and feeling good a little tired but otherwise he is fine during the day. But at night he feels breathless. I was just worried that is this heart failure?? And how is it going to effect his quality of life??
Wed, 30 Sep 2015
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Diabetologist,  's  Response
Hi,

Thanks for your question.

Decreased ejection fraction (EF) of left ventricle indicates decreased muscle contractility of heart and there by decreased pumping capacity of heart.

Decreased EF after heart attack is due muscle weakness (death) Due to lack of blood supply and is usually permanent.

EF of 20 to 25 % may be sufficient in resting state.
But whenever there is a increased blood flow demand of body as during any type exertion, fever heart may fail to generate adequate cardiac out put (blood volume ejected in to aorta from left ventricle to supply blood to body in 1 min.) and there may be development of heart failure.

Also while sleeping in lying down position there is increased amount of blood flows to heart from lower half of body.
Due to low EF left ventricle of heart cannot handle that much amount of blood and there is development of lung congestion due to back pressure and patient become breathless.

In such patients it is advisable -
- To avoid any type of exertion.
- Use water pills (diuretics) to avoid fluid overload.
- Restrict daily water intake less than 1 to 1.5 lit. according to environment and patient's symptoms.
- Use of Beta blockers, ACE inhibitors or ARBs.

Hope this helps you, if so do vote as helpful.
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What Does Low EF Level After Heart Attack Indicate?

Hi, Thanks for your question. Decreased ejection fraction (EF) of left ventricle indicates decreased muscle contractility of heart and there by decreased pumping capacity of heart. Decreased EF after heart attack is due muscle weakness (death) Due to lack of blood supply and is usually permanent. EF of 20 to 25 % may be sufficient in resting state. But whenever there is a increased blood flow demand of body as during any type exertion, fever heart may fail to generate adequate cardiac out put (blood volume ejected in to aorta from left ventricle to supply blood to body in 1 min.) and there may be development of heart failure. Also while sleeping in lying down position there is increased amount of blood flows to heart from lower half of body. Due to low EF left ventricle of heart cannot handle that much amount of blood and there is development of lung congestion due to back pressure and patient become breathless. In such patients it is advisable - - To avoid any type of exertion. - Use water pills (diuretics) to avoid fluid overload. - Restrict daily water intake less than 1 to 1.5 lit. according to environment and patient s symptoms. - Use of Beta blockers, ACE inhibitors or ARBs. Hope this helps you, if so do vote as helpful.