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Is Ejection Fraction Of 40% A Cause For Concern?
Question/ I am 82 yrs old & just received an echocardiogram, to my surprise was diagnosed ..ejection fraction to be 40%. and all left Ventricular wall segments are hypokinetic~ What does this mean ? I am a healthy & in good Physical shape for my age. Do you have any advice for me? Thank you~ YYYY@YYYY
Tue, 13 Nov 2018
Anonymous's Response
Anonymous's
Response
Hello,
Are there any indications for an echocardiogram in the first place? Like chest pains, difficulty of breathing, or easy fatigability? Well, an ejection fraction at 40% is already at a state of heart failure as the normal ranges at around 50-55%. Hypokinesia in the walls reflects a possible blockage in the coronary artery/-ies, which can be caused by cholesterol deposits which happened overtime since early adulthood.
With you being at a good functional capacity is likely due to rich collateral vessels around the artery with blockage. Still it signifies a possible coronary artery disease, and i suggest and recommend a consult with a cardiologist for further evaluation and management. They may start you on medications to protect from any cardiac events like heart attack and worsening of heart failure, and also modify other risk factors which may be co-existent like hypertension and diabetes.
Hope I have answered your query. Let me know if I can assist you further.
Regards,
Dr. Daryl Derick B. Dizon,
General & Family Physician
Are there any indications for an echocardiogram in the first place? Like chest pains, difficulty of breathing, or easy fatigability? Well, an ejection fraction at 40% is already at a state of heart failure as the normal ranges at around 50-55%. Hypokinesia in the walls reflects a possible blockage in the coronary artery/-ies, which can be caused by cholesterol deposits which happened overtime since early adulthood.
With you being at a good functional capacity is likely due to rich collateral vessels around the artery with blockage. Still it signifies a possible coronary artery disease, and i suggest and recommend a consult with a cardiologist for further evaluation and management. They may start you on medications to protect from any cardiac events like heart attack and worsening of heart failure, and also modify other risk factors which may be co-existent like hypertension and diabetes.
Hope I have answered your query. Let me know if I can assist you further.
Regards,
Dr. Daryl Derick B. Dizon,
General & Family Physician
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