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Is It Possible To Improve Ejection Fraction Naturally?
Question: Is improving ejection fraction possible naturally or is it pretty much set in stone? Mine is at 55% but I'd like to get it higher.
Also, my echo had normal LV measurements but they were getting close to being high in some areas. I work out a lot and I've read it's associated with physiological LVH, but how would i know if the higher ranges were physiological or pathological? I also try to keep my testosterone levels at the upper end of the 300-1100 range for muscle building (last time I was almost at 1000) so I'm curious if that could lead to pathological LVH?
Thanks in advance.
Also, my echo had normal LV measurements but they were getting close to being high in some areas. I work out a lot and I've read it's associated with physiological LVH, but how would i know if the higher ranges were physiological or pathological? I also try to keep my testosterone levels at the upper end of the 300-1100 range for muscle building (last time I was almost at 1000) so I'm curious if that could lead to pathological LVH?
Thanks in advance.
Brief Answer:
I would explain as follows:
Detailed Answer:
Hello!
Welcome and thank you for asking on HCM!
Regarding your concern, I would explain that excessive physical exertion is a potent stimulus for skeletal muscle hypertrophy as well as myocardial hypertrophy (left ventricular hypertrophy). This is called an adaptive response to physical strain and not a pathological response. So, just relax!
At this point, we can conclude that adaptive LVH is part of what is called athlete's heart (left ventricular walls hypertrophy, especially inter-ventricular septum, and relative chamber enlargement, etc).
From the other side, physical strain is associated with increased endogenous anabolic/androgenic steroids (primary testosterone and its derivatives) influence on skeletal muscles and myocardium, by over-expression of androgen receptors, and partly by up-regulation of local RAS (renin-angiotensin expression. This will consequently lead to further enhancement of LVH. This is a compensatory physiological effect during continuous physical exertion.
But, from the other hand, some special subgroups like bodybuilders, powerlifters, or other elite athletes, may be forced at using exogenous steroids to achieve their maximal targets.
But, these excessive steroids will disrupt this compensatory adaptive response (comprising LVH) and may lead to a dangerous maladaptation. Here starts what may be considered a pathological response of cardiovascular system.
At this point, I would recommend you being cautious with your blood testosterone levels, as they may lead to several other pathological processes (besides cardiovascular system), like hypogonadism, testicular atrophy, impaired spermatogenesis, gynaecomastia, and even psychiatric disturbances, etc.
So, at the end, I would recommend you to perform a supervised physical training, under a certified expert's advice; and to avoid any possible exogenous steroid/anabolics influences. This will lead to elimination of possible adverse effects on the physiological adaptive LVH.
Please, could you upload a cardiac ultrasound report for a direct review?
Hope to have been helpful to you!
Feel free to ask me whenever you need! Greetings! Dr. Iliri
I would explain as follows:
Detailed Answer:
Hello!
Welcome and thank you for asking on HCM!
Regarding your concern, I would explain that excessive physical exertion is a potent stimulus for skeletal muscle hypertrophy as well as myocardial hypertrophy (left ventricular hypertrophy). This is called an adaptive response to physical strain and not a pathological response. So, just relax!
At this point, we can conclude that adaptive LVH is part of what is called athlete's heart (left ventricular walls hypertrophy, especially inter-ventricular septum, and relative chamber enlargement, etc).
From the other side, physical strain is associated with increased endogenous anabolic/androgenic steroids (primary testosterone and its derivatives) influence on skeletal muscles and myocardium, by over-expression of androgen receptors, and partly by up-regulation of local RAS (renin-angiotensin expression. This will consequently lead to further enhancement of LVH. This is a compensatory physiological effect during continuous physical exertion.
But, from the other hand, some special subgroups like bodybuilders, powerlifters, or other elite athletes, may be forced at using exogenous steroids to achieve their maximal targets.
But, these excessive steroids will disrupt this compensatory adaptive response (comprising LVH) and may lead to a dangerous maladaptation. Here starts what may be considered a pathological response of cardiovascular system.
At this point, I would recommend you being cautious with your blood testosterone levels, as they may lead to several other pathological processes (besides cardiovascular system), like hypogonadism, testicular atrophy, impaired spermatogenesis, gynaecomastia, and even psychiatric disturbances, etc.
So, at the end, I would recommend you to perform a supervised physical training, under a certified expert's advice; and to avoid any possible exogenous steroid/anabolics influences. This will lead to elimination of possible adverse effects on the physiological adaptive LVH.
Please, could you upload a cardiac ultrasound report for a direct review?
Hope to have been helpful to you!
Feel free to ask me whenever you need! Greetings! Dr. Iliri
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
Hi Dr Illiri,
Thank you for the detailed response. I stay away from all AAS so this is good news. I just try to keep my natural levels as high as possible.
However, I did use AAS (exogenous testosterone only) once 3 years ago when I was 18 and it was only for 3 weeks as I realized it was a dumb decision shortly after I started and abandoned them, which ended up crashing my natural testosterone levels for the following few months, and I've heard low testosterone is associated with lvh. That was my only run in with AAS though, and since then I have stayed natural and focused on keeping my testosterone levels naturally high. Would such a short period of time like that possibly cause pathological lvh or disrupt the physiological response to the cardiac system permanently?
Is it possible to improve ejection fraction?
Im not able to upload my echo sheet but would you accept the results if i typing them out on here?
Thanks again
!
Thank you for the detailed response. I stay away from all AAS so this is good news. I just try to keep my natural levels as high as possible.
However, I did use AAS (exogenous testosterone only) once 3 years ago when I was 18 and it was only for 3 weeks as I realized it was a dumb decision shortly after I started and abandoned them, which ended up crashing my natural testosterone levels for the following few months, and I've heard low testosterone is associated with lvh. That was my only run in with AAS though, and since then I have stayed natural and focused on keeping my testosterone levels naturally high. Would such a short period of time like that possibly cause pathological lvh or disrupt the physiological response to the cardiac system permanently?
Is it possible to improve ejection fraction?
Im not able to upload my echo sheet but would you accept the results if i typing them out on here?
Thanks again
!
Brief Answer:
Your ejection fraction can be improved.
Detailed Answer:
Hello again!
I would like to explain that that short shot of exogenous testosterone could not lead to pathological LVH. So just relax and don't worry about it!
Regarding the ejection fraction, if you maintain a healthy lifestyle profile, control your body weight, engage yourself in supervised daily physical activity and avoid potential coronary risk factors, you can preserve and even improve your left ventricular ejection fraction.
You can write your echo reports for me to review.
Best regards,
Dr. Iliri
Your ejection fraction can be improved.
Detailed Answer:
Hello again!
I would like to explain that that short shot of exogenous testosterone could not lead to pathological LVH. So just relax and don't worry about it!
Regarding the ejection fraction, if you maintain a healthy lifestyle profile, control your body weight, engage yourself in supervised daily physical activity and avoid potential coronary risk factors, you can preserve and even improve your left ventricular ejection fraction.
You can write your echo reports for me to review.
Best regards,
Dr. Iliri
Note: For further queries related to coronary artery disease and prevention, click here.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
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