Heart Has A Measurement Number Of 25%. What Does Mean?

Posted on Fri, 11 Oct 2013

Medically reviewed by Ask A Doctor - 24x7 Medical Review Team

Fri, 11 Oct 2013 Answered on

Thu, 7 Nov 2013 Last reviewed on

Question : My heart has a measurement number of 25%. What does that mean? My doctor said it should be 55%.

Answered by Dr. Dr. Prasad J (1 hour later)

Brief Answer:
Underfunctioning heart...

Detailed Answer:
Hi,

The pumping action of heart is measured in terms of Ejection Fraction (EF) percentage. Ejection fraction measured in normal individual is above 55%.

As per your Echocardiogram report, number of 25% means underfunctioning heart, a failing heart. Diabetes and high blood pressure may be directly responsible for under-functioning Or you might harbor other conditions such as ischemia.

Since stress test was not conclusive, your cardiologist would be the best person to decide whether you need further exploration. However if I were to be your treating doctor, I would start you on betablocker. Digoxin and water pill use might also be needed.

Hope this helps. Let me know if you need clarifications.

Regards

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