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What Does Ejection Fraction Indicate?
Question: I have CHF and a leaking mitral valve. Latest echo cardiogram shows my ejection fraction to be 20. Is the number likely to continue to decrease? What is the numbering system associated with EF?
Brief Answer:
Following advice.
Detailed Answer:
Hi and thank you for asking!
I read your query and understood your concerns.
Unfortunately you have severe HF, since your EF is below 30%. Now that you have an EF of 20% the numbers are likely to decrease further. Only in few fortunate cases the EF may improve.
EF is an important parameter to determine HF severity.
1. An EF between 40-50% is associated with mild HF.
2. An EF between 30-40% is associated with moderate HF.
3. At the end an EF below 30% is associated with severe HF.
Hope this will be of help!
Wish you health!
Dr. Shehu
p.s: If you have more questions, please don't hesitate to ask me again.
Following advice.
Detailed Answer:
Hi and thank you for asking!
I read your query and understood your concerns.
Unfortunately you have severe HF, since your EF is below 30%. Now that you have an EF of 20% the numbers are likely to decrease further. Only in few fortunate cases the EF may improve.
EF is an important parameter to determine HF severity.
1. An EF between 40-50% is associated with mild HF.
2. An EF between 30-40% is associated with moderate HF.
3. At the end an EF below 30% is associated with severe HF.
Hope this will be of help!
Wish you health!
Dr. Shehu
p.s: If you have more questions, please don't hesitate to ask me again.
Note: For further queries related to coronary artery disease and prevention, click here.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
Answered by
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