Guest guest Posted January 17, 2004 Report Share Posted January 17, 2004 Many of us have had improvements of EF. Mine went from 21% to over 50% (at rest). I attribute this to strict compliance with medications, daily walks, very little exertional activity, a great ICD, and an excellent EP doctor. Keep in mind that echocardiogram ejection fractions are educated guesses. It is a relative measurement of the pumping action based on a two dimensional image. Mike On Friday, January 16, 2004, at 09:16 PM, Pat Pulasky wrote: > Has anyone on the list had an improvement of their > ejection fraction; if so, by how much and to what do > you attribute the improvement? My husband had an > echocardiogram last week and from the technician's > reaction, it seemed as though the EF had dropped since > his last test. He has an appointment this next week > with his cardiologist to discuss it. > > Another question: he's had several 'echoes' done in > the past and this one was different...in the others he > was lying on his back; in this one the technician had > him lying on his side. I don't see how she could have > possibly gotten a true 'reading' that way. Any > comments on this? > > Thanks much. Pat P. > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > Please visit the Zapper homepage at > http://www.ZapLife.org > > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted January 17, 2004 Report Share Posted January 17, 2004 hi pat, when i was diagnosed with these problems in mar of 2001 I was told that my ejection fraction was 10. the cardio i was seeing then said most people that float in the same boat i do are dead within 2 years. im now working on my 3rd and sure hope i can survive for a while. the cardio ;put me on a drug called coreg,,12 1/2 mg twice a day. last month my ejection fraction was 45 .... i doubt it will get much better than that unless i learn to behave. i have a very difficult time behaviing.... since my hips went bad enough to need a wheel chair the cardio go meone due to my heart trouibles... guess that shojld tell me something right there.. i keep trying to get my act together but being alone and 61 just doesnt cut it anymore.... not complaining mind you, i made my bed and i have sleep in it but ill still complain about. it seems the food is my crutch and a way not to be alone. it is always there for me ready to satiate me and make me feel good about myself til the next time i see myself in the mirror. and as many of us in the zapper group would say,,,,different strokes for different folks bob in mississippi ps: i do some upper body exercises and that is about it. At 11:16 PM 1/16/2004, you wrote: Has anyone on the list had an improvement of their ejection fraction; if so, by how much and to what do you attribute the improvement? My husband had an echocardiogram last week and from the technician's reaction, it seemed as though the EF had dropped since his last test. He has an appointment this next week with his cardiologist to discuss it. Another question: he's had several 'echoes' done in the past and this one was different...in the others he was lying on his back; in this one the technician had him lying on his side. I don't see how she could have possibly gotten a true 'reading' that way. Any comments on this? Thanks much. Pat P. Please visit the Zapper homepage at http://www.ZapLife.org Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted January 17, 2004 Report Share Posted January 17, 2004 I have attributed my ef increase primarily to the Coreg. I was prescribed 25mg 2x per day, have been taking it since 1999. My cardio calls it the miracle drug. It increased my ef 18% within 18 mos. My ef is about 58 now - just about "normal". My echos have been done on my side... As says they are just educated guesses. I also attribute my ef increase to cardio rehab, as well as diet. Hope this helps. ~guin 45 in CA Ejection Fraction Has anyone on the list had an improvement of theirejection fraction; if so, by how much and to what doyou attribute the improvement? My husband had anechocardiogram last week and from the technician'sreaction, it seemed as though the EF had dropped sincehis last test. He has an appointment this next weekwith his cardiologist to discuss it.Another question: he's had several 'echoes' done inthe past and this one was different...in the others hewas lying on his back; in this one the technician hadhim lying on his side. I don't see how she could havepossibly gotten a true 'reading' that way. Anycomments on this? Thanks much. Pat P.Please visit the Zapper homepage athttp://www.ZapLife.org Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted January 17, 2004 Report Share Posted January 17, 2004 Audi, at the age of 44 my husband was dx w/Large cell Defuse Lympoma, B cell type, 3rd stage... it was necessary to treat him agressively due to serious nature of the cancer... one of the chemo drugs he was given was Vincristine... shortly after onset of treatment he complained of pain/numbness in his fingers and feet but onco was reluctant to decreas the amount of Vincristine ... then some 10 yrs later he was being seen by a doctor for a completely different health problem and was told he had an arrhythmia... before we could get an appt. w/cardio he presented w/symptoms which mandated he go to ER where he was dx w/CHF on both sides of his heart, A-fib & cardiomyopathy... as he has no other causes it was concluded the CHF was brought on by the Vincristine... he recently turned 59, is just over 14 yrs out from cancer dx and 4 yrs today from CHF dx and doing fairly well, hasn't continued to deteriorate, is able to work about 6 hrs a day, 5 days a week in the construction field and although he complains he can't do anywhere near what he once did he does pretty well for the shape that he's in ... he also has enphazema from 30 yrs of smoking so it's a miracle he's hear at all when you think about it JES in NJ, USA the most important things in life arent' things!!! > Hi, I have a question for you concering your hubby and heart failure. What caused his heart failure? And how old is he. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted January 18, 2004 Report Share Posted January 18, 2004 Hello Pat P. When I was diagnosed about 12 years ago with CHF and Cardiomyopathy I had an EF of about 8% and I was told that I was on the transplant list. Then with some med (Inderal and Quinidine Glutamate) and Visualization therapy my EF went up to about 19% in the hospital in three weeks. Then with Toprol, Digoxin and Amiodarone and Lots of meditation(I believe it works) Now my EF is 38% (Thank God). By the way welcome to the Zaplist family and Good Luck to your husband. TURK Ejection Fraction Has anyone on the list had an improvement of theirejection fraction; if so, by how much and to what doyou attribute the improvement? My husband had anechocardiogram last week and from the technician'sreaction, it seemed as though the EF had dropped sincehis last test. He has an appointment this next weekwith his cardiologist to discuss it.Another question: he's had several 'echoes' done inthe past and this one was different...in the others hewas lying on his back; in this one the technician hadhim lying on his side. I don't see how she could havepossibly gotten a true 'reading' that way. Anycomments on this? Thanks much. Pat P.Please visit the Zapper homepage athttp://www.ZapLife.org Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted January 18, 2004 Report Share Posted January 18, 2004 Hey Bob, Its me Sharon in Ohio. God what I would give to be able to eat a chili dog! I am setting here slobbering at just the thought. I am so sorry you are so alone but at least your in good company even if it is your own. I have never done well being alone it is the one thing I have always feared more than all the other cares in the world. Now, as I get older sometimes it seems its not as bad as I though it would be. I guess we are all alone in certain ways. I am still married in name only to a nice guy who will tell you just how nice and wonderful he is anytime you want to know. My children are all grown and off with their own lives. My oldest son live is St. Louis and has chosen a life style that I will never learn to understand but al said and done he is still my son. My middle son lives within 10 minutes of me and while we are not all that close we do have a relationship. He remarried a wonderful woman two years ago and they have two children Zack from her previous relationship who is 4 now and they had a beautiful baby girl in August her name is Maya. Elisha is a wonderful mother and a great wife. She is a plain old fashioned girl who was raised by hippie parents. She believes in all natural products thus baby wears cloth diaper that she and I made together. She is a bit into holistic medicine but not enough to be dangerous. She is totally into natural fibers and no commerizastion at all. Zack has never seen TV and is raised without presence to violence. They will send him to a Waldorf school. Her mother is a teacher at the one in our area and all her family has attended. They are very nice people sometimes I find them a bit strange. My daughter is the princess she lives within a 30 minute drive to our house. She is married to a wonderful doting man who is a bit annual retentive but still the best. He treats me like a queen and tried very hard to be good to me. I guess for me my daughter is my saving grace she is beautiful inside and out although definitely a spoiled brat. They have a very expensive style of living and life has been very good to them. They are definite yuppies. New home, new furniture, new cars, campers, trips, cruises and but even with all the remain somewhat level headed. It is the birth of their daughter Jessie Ann that has come to be the biggest part of my life. For every bad things that has ever happened to me Jessie has erased two times over. She is my whole world. I was lucky that they have let me share her right from the day they found out they would have a baby until know. Jessie Ann just turned 2 in December, she has the smile of angel. I call her my little angel eyes. Her blond hair and big blue eyes shine with life. When she sits on my lap for a story or just a plain old hug I am worth a million dollars and the happiest person on earth. When I get to her house or her to mine and she sees me she comes running as fast as her two legs will carry her and my heart burst with joy. I know this wound weird but since Jessie has been born I have lost 48 pounds and kept it off. I have learned about the simple things in life again. Lightning bugs and rainbows. Ice cream cones and flower smells. I don't mean to go on but for the first time in my life I realize that I have gotten back way more than I have ever lost with the rewards of my grandchildren. I also have a wonderful husband and wife that I adopted when I was still working they have been in my life for over 12 years. They are a biracial couple who have been disowned when they married. They have a wonderful little girl named Kali and I am proudly her Grammy. They recently add a new addition to their family her name is Peyton and she is beautiful. Recently all the kids got together and has a family photos taken. When I set and look at t hem each family alone and then all together I realize that no matter what I will never be alone. Each time I forget and fall back into my poor me attitude I turn around and know that I will never be alone because part of me will go on forever in my grandchildren. Pretty hooky right but it makes me feel great. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted January 19, 2004 Report Share Posted January 19, 2004 I just want to thank everyone for all your responses to my Ejection Fraction questions. (Special note to Stacie: what a sweetie you are!) You have all been an enormous help and relieved my mind quite a bit. God bless. PatP Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted January 20, 2004 Report Share Posted January 20, 2004 My EF went from 18% to 24% with Toprol XL 100 mg/day. It then increased from 24% -30% with the addition of the ICD pacing 85-90% of the time. Following an angioplasty and stent for 95% blockage in the left descending artery this past Friday, the EF was at 35%. I continue to take Toprol at 100 mg daily. Tommy in Texas -----Original Message-----From: Pat Pulasky [mailto:pulasky@...]Sent: Friday, January 16, 2004 11:16 PM Subject: Ejection FractionHas anyone on the list had an improvement of theirejection fraction; if so, by how much and to what doyou attribute the improvement? My husband had anechocardiogram last week and from the technician'sreaction, it seemed as though the EF had dropped sincehis last test. He has an appointment this next weekwith his cardiologist to discuss it.Another question: he's had several 'echoes' done inthe past and this one was different...in the others hewas lying on his back; in this one the technician hadhim lying on his side. I don't see how she could havepossibly gotten a true 'reading' that way. Anycomments on this? Thanks much. Pat P.Please visit the Zapper homepage athttp://www.ZapLife.org Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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