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What Does Heart Pumping Only 20% In A 73 Year Old Man Suggest?
Hello....just found out dad has 20% heart pumping....he had hard time breathing....doctors doing tests.....he bikes 10 miles a day...and is 73...they are checking blockage.....20% seems very low....I m worried.....can he improve his heart...without surgery.....or is this the start of decline....? Nonsmoker...but could eat better
Wed, 14 Apr 2021
Hi,
Though any heart pumping or EF below 35% is a cause of concern, still every patient will have its prognosis, depending on the other accompanying conditions and life style of patient as well as medication being taken by the patient. The symptoms of patient do not depend solely on EF, rather on many other factors also. A patient having an EF of 20% may seem active, where as with 35% may be seemingly debilitated. Shortness of breath is the main and foremost symptom of heart failure.
Treatment of heart failure will depend on the treatment of cause. Change in life style with healthy diet and regular tolerated and graded exercises. The diagnosis of the condition by EKG, echocardiography, multigated acquisition scan (MUGA scan), stress test and cardiac catheterization is done. Besides these, level of hemoglobin, lipid profile, blood sugar, kidney and thyroid function may be needed. Usual medicines such as beta blocker, ace inhibitor, diuretics and possible surgical procedures for any blockage of heart vessels. In more severe cases more vigorous measures like ventricular assisted devices, heart surgeries or even heart transplant may be advised.
Take care. Hope I have answered your question. Let me know if I can assist you further.
Regards,
Dr. Satnarain Bansal, General & Family Physician
Though any heart pumping or EF below 35% is a cause of concern, still every patient will have its prognosis, depending on the other accompanying conditions and life style of patient as well as medication being taken by the patient. The symptoms of patient do not depend solely on EF, rather on many other factors also. A patient having an EF of 20% may seem active, where as with 35% may be seemingly debilitated. Shortness of breath is the main and foremost symptom of heart failure.
Treatment of heart failure will depend on the treatment of cause. Change in life style with healthy diet and regular tolerated and graded exercises. The diagnosis of the condition by EKG, echocardiography, multigated acquisition scan (MUGA scan), stress test and cardiac catheterization is done. Besides these, level of hemoglobin, lipid profile, blood sugar, kidney and thyroid function may be needed. Usual medicines such as beta blocker, ace inhibitor, diuretics and possible surgical procedures for any blockage of heart vessels. In more severe cases more vigorous measures like ventricular assisted devices, heart surgeries or even heart transplant may be advised.
Take care. Hope I have answered your question. Let me know if I can assist you further.
Regards,
Dr. Satnarain Bansal, General & Family Physician
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