Left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) is a critical measurement used to assess the heart's pumping ability. Understanding your LVEF is essential for managing heart health, especially in cases of heart failure. This article will explore LVEF in detail, covering its significance, normal ranges, influencing factors, treatment options, and lifestyle modifications that can contribute to improved heart function.
Ejection Fraction: An Important Heart Test
The left ventricle (LV) is the heart's main pumping chamber. It receives oxygenated blood from the lungs and pumps it throughout the body. Ejection fraction represents the percentage of blood pumped out of the left ventricle with each contraction. A healthy heart efficiently pumps a significant portion of the blood it receives, while a weakened heart struggles to pump effectively, resulting in a lower ejection fraction. Measuring LVEF is a crucial component of diagnosing and managing various heart conditions, particularly heart failure. It's typically determined through echocardiography (ultrasound of the heart), but other methods like cardiac MRI or radionuclide ventriculography can also be employed.
What is the Normal Ejection Fraction of the Heart?
A normal LVEF generally falls between 55% and 70%. This signifies that the left ventricle is pumping out 55% to 70% of the blood it receives with each beat. Values below this range indicate reduced ejection fraction, signifying impaired heart function. The severity of heart dysfunction is often categorized based on the LVEF:
* Normal: 55-70%
* Mildly reduced: 40-54%
* Moderately reduced: 30-39%
* Severely reduced: Below 30%
It's crucial to remember that these are general guidelines, and individual interpretations should always consider the patient's overall clinical picture and other relevant factors.
Which Drugs Increase Ejection Fraction?
Several medications can help improve LVEF, primarily by addressing the underlying cause of the reduced ejection fraction. The choice of medication depends on the specific condition and the patient's overall health. These medications often work through different mechanisms, such as improving the heart's contractility, reducing afterload (the resistance the heart must overcome to pump blood), or managing fluid retention. A comprehensive list of medications used to treat left ventricular dysfunction is provided later in this article.
Does Entresto Improve Ejection Fraction?
Sacubitril/valsartan (Entresto) is a medication specifically designed to treat heart failure with reduced ejection fraction (HFrEF). It works by inhibiting neprilysin, an enzyme that breaks down beneficial peptides involved in regulating blood pressure and fluid balance. Studies have shown that Entresto can significantly improve LVEF and reduce hospitalization rates in patients with HFrEF compared to ACE inhibitors alone. However, it's crucial to note that Entresto is not suitable for all patients with heart failure, and its use should be determined by a cardiologist.
Heart Failure with Preserved Ejection Fraction (HFpEF):
Heart failure doesn't always manifest with a reduced ejection fraction. In heart failure with preserved ejection fraction (HFpEF), the ejection fraction may be normal or even slightly elevated, but the heart struggles to fill adequately, leading to symptoms of heart failure like shortness of breath and fatigue. HFpEF is often associated with diastolic dysfunction, meaning the heart's ability to relax and fill with blood is impaired. The management of HFpEF differs from HFrEF and usually focuses on optimizing blood pressure, controlling comorbidities like diabetes and hypertension, and managing fluid balance.
current url：https://zkagpe.177961.com/news/lv-ejection-fraction-93429
michael michael kors cynthia large dome crossbody pearl grey bande gucci