How Critical Is Ejection Fraction Of 15%?

Posted on Thu, 29 May 2014

Question: Had a widow maker heart attack 2 yr. ago. My dr. Said at the time I had the heart attack that I there was no way I had any heart problem because my ankles were not swollen. Therefore, I recieved no help for 2 months and then ended up in hospital and they put an ice in my chest in case the heart stops. What is life expectancy in this case? I have not been able to take any meds that would have helped strengthen the heart because it made me I'll. my E.F. Is 15.

Answered by Dr. Sukhvinder Singh (30 minutes later)

Brief Answer:
please see details.

Detailed Answer:
Respected Madam
1. An EF of 0.15 or 15% constitutes a critical medical illness. However the prognosis is not all that bad in current era. The life expectancy can not be determined in a given case as data is applicable to a group of population. However ~50% of these patients may not survive in next 3 years. But it can not be speculated that what will happen in your case or in any individual case.
2. I suggest you to see a good heart failure specialist as a number of medicines and device therapies help to relieve symptoms and prolong life. These include drugs like beta-blockers, ACE inhibitors and aldosterone or devices like internal defibrillators and biventricular pacemakers.
Hope this provides insight into issue. Feel free to discuss further.
Sincerely
Sukhvinder

Note: For further follow-up it is advisable to consult an emergency medicine specialist. Click here.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar