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What Can Cause The Heart To Pump Just 35 % In An Energetic Person With Healthy Diet And On Medication For Leaky Valves?
My neighbor's obgyn told her that her heart is only pumping at 35 percent. What is weird is that for the past month she is stronger and has much more energy than she has in a long time. She sees her cardiologist on the regular and he has never said anything about her heart only pumping 35 percent. She is on medication for leaky valves and takes the medicine consistently. She eats healthy, drinks green smoothies and has added other healthy components to her lifestyle to be more healthy. Would she experience certain symptoms? Is there something the doctor would have given if it was in fact pumping only 35 percent? I appreciate your feedback.
Sat, 8 Mar 2014
Hi there,
Thanks for your query.
I cannot comment on what basis the gyno had opined on the heart pumping only 35% of the volume. The pumping efficiency is assessed by carrying out 2-D Echo test. It is therefore the cardiologist's prerogative to inform the heart's pumping status.
Further, reduced pumping of the heart is a sign of a failing/compromised heart and is commonly seen in cases of long-standing leaky valves. However, there are several drugs which improves the pumping capacity by reducing the workload on the heart. Thus, with improved pumping efficiency of the heart, remains physically active.
She is likely to have symptoms only when the drugs are no longer capable of improving the pumping efficiency.
Please advise your friend to seek further information from the cardiologist, on the exact functional-condition of the heart and the future prognosis.
If you find my response helpful and informative, do not forget an “excellent” (5-star rating) to my answer, to ENCOURAGE ALL doctors- engaged in social service- to render sound advice to the FREE queries.
Take care
Dr. Rakesh Karanwal
Thanks for your query.
I cannot comment on what basis the gyno had opined on the heart pumping only 35% of the volume. The pumping efficiency is assessed by carrying out 2-D Echo test. It is therefore the cardiologist's prerogative to inform the heart's pumping status.
Further, reduced pumping of the heart is a sign of a failing/compromised heart and is commonly seen in cases of long-standing leaky valves. However, there are several drugs which improves the pumping capacity by reducing the workload on the heart. Thus, with improved pumping efficiency of the heart, remains physically active.
She is likely to have symptoms only when the drugs are no longer capable of improving the pumping efficiency.
Please advise your friend to seek further information from the cardiologist, on the exact functional-condition of the heart and the future prognosis.
If you find my response helpful and informative, do not forget an “excellent” (5-star rating) to my answer, to ENCOURAGE ALL doctors- engaged in social service- to render sound advice to the FREE queries.
Take care
Dr. Rakesh Karanwal
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