Heart Failure: Understanding Ejection Fraction
Heart failure means the heart just doesn’t pump as well as it should. Hence, it can’t get blood moving fast enough around the body. One way to assess how well this thing is going is called ejection fraction (EF).
EF is a measure that determines exactly what percentage of the blood the heart pumps out successfully every time it beats.
Monitoring EF is very important to doctors:
- It helps them assess how well someone’s heart is working.
- It helps pick the right kind of treatment.
- It’s also a way to monitor the progression of any illnesses.
Broadly, EF is like a good barometer for knowing how things are going with someone’s heart health.
What Is Ejection Fraction?
EF = (Stroke Volume / End Diastolic Volume) × 100
This number tells us the fraction of blood pumped out of the ventricle during a contraction or each time it squeezes.
It’s a measure of the efficiency of that squeeze.
In a normal person, EF typically runs between 50 and 70%.
However, it’s important to note that normal ejection fraction by age may vary slightly with:
- differences in heart muscle compliance
- overall cardiovascular health as one age.
Types
A. Heart Failure with Reduced Ejection Fraction (HFrEF)
- EF < 40%: Heart struggles to pump blood effectively.
- Key issue: The heart isn’t pumping enough for proper circulation.
- Key symptoms:
- Fatigue
- breathing difficulties
- fluid buildup (often in legs).
B. Heart Failure with Preserved Ejection Fraction (HFpEF)
- EF 55–70% (normal range), but heart muscle is stiff.
- Key issue: Chambers can’t fill appropriately due to “hard” or stiff heart muscle.
- Result: Not enough blood returns to the heart to maintain circulation.
- Common risk factors
- Coronary artery disease
- High blood pressure
Causes
Coronary artery disease is one of the top causes. It occurs when plaque builds up in the arteries. Over time, it hampers blood flow and weakens the heart muscle.
Other risk factors include:
- High blood pressure
- Previous heart attack
- Diabetes
- Obesity
Familial link and lifestyle play roles in the development and progression of heart failure.
Diagnosis, Treatment, and Management
Healthcare providers use several diagnostic tools:
- echocardiograms
- cardiac MRIs
- stress tests
These help measure ejection fraction and evaluate heart function. Tracking EF over time helps determine whether treatment is effective or if adjustments are needed.
Management of heart failure often involves:
A. Lifestyle changes
- Eat heart-friendly foods
- Engage in regular physical activity
- Quit smoking
B. Medications
The following help improve heart function and lessen symptoms:
- ACE inhibitors
- beta-blockers
- Diuretics
C. Advanced Therapies
For severe cases, the following can help:
- Implantable cardioverter defibrillators (ICDs)
- biventricular pacemakers
- Heart transplantation
Selecting the best cardiologist for heart failure is critical. An expert will read EF numbers perfectly and consider all the different things that go with a patient. This includes what level of heart ejection a person would normally have for their age. So, through all this, they personalise a fantastic treatment plan that best fits the individual.
Conclusion
Understanding ejection fraction is key to fighting heart failure and personalising treatment to fit each person uniquely. This measure and other diagnostic tools also help us sort out what’s going wrong underneath the hood, for instance, a condition like coronary artery disease (CAD). Overall, these tools direct us toward putting together effective treatment strategies.
Dr Raghu is renowned for his expert evaluation and compassionate management of heart failure patients. His innovative approach and commitment to excellence make him the best cardiologist in Hyderabad. He consistently works to improve the quality of life for his patients.
