My Dad Heart Function Is Currently Between 30% And 35%, Which Has Been Causing Extreme Fatigue

Posted on Thu, 3 Apr 2025

Question: My father, Mr. A. Gangadharan, who is over 75 years old, was admitted to Apollo in November 2024. His doctors have informed us that his heart function is currently between 30% and 35%, which has been causing extreme fatigue.

Our family doctor has suggested EECP therapy to help improve his heart rate and blood circulation. I have attached his latest 2D Echo reports and would appreciate your assessment on whether he can safely undergo EECP therapy to enhance his heart function.

Note: He has been diagnosed with Giant Cell Arteritis and has been taking steroid medication for the past seven years.

Answered by Dr. Bhanu Partap (27 hours later)

Brief Answer:
Kindly refer below

Detailed Answer:
Hello

After going through the details I can understand your concern and I would like to tell you that EECP is a accepted procedure to relieve symptoms of angina (chest pain) and also can improve the ejection fraction in some cases. However it’s not suitable for all.

Furthermore, we need to identify the cause of this reduced ejection fraction first.

Did he had any coronary event in past (heart attack)?
Does he smoke or have diabetes?
Also Angiography is required before deciding for EECP

I hope this is helpful.

Thanks

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Dr. Nagamani N.G

Follow up: Dr. Bhanu Partap (2 hours later)

Hello Dr,

Thanks a lot for the detailed explanation

Yeap, he had heart attack in Oct-2021 and underwent an Angio and the stent was fixed on the Left artery. I might be wrong, however i am attaching the discharge summary of Oct-2021.

Thanks and Regards
Rajesh G

Follow up: Dr. Bhanu Partap (5 days later)

Hello Dr,
Good evening,

Just thought of quickly checking with you on this sir.

Thanks and Regards
Rajesh G