Is heart failure possible with normal ejection fraction?

May 16, 2023 Source: Cainiu Health

Dr. Tian Hongbo

Introduction

A normal ejection fraction does not necessarily mean the absence of heart failure. Heart failure refers to the heart's inability to effectively pump blood, resulting in the heart failing to meet the body's needs. If symptoms such as chest discomfort, chest tightness, or shortness of breath occur, prompt medical evaluation is essential to determine whether heart failure or other cardiovascular diseases are present. In addition, maintaining a healthy lifestyle is important.

In general, a normal ejection fraction does not necessarily mean that cardiac function is completely normal, and heart failure may still be possible. The detailed explanation is as follows:

A normal ejection fraction does not rule out the presence of heart failure. Heart failure refers to the heart's inability to effectively pump blood, resulting in insufficient supply to meet the body's needs. A normal ejection fraction may indicate that the heart can effectively pump blood during contraction, but it does not entirely exclude the possibility of heart failure. This is because ejection fraction is only one aspect used to assess cardiac function; other indicators and factors must also be considered. For example, diastolic function, myocardial elasticity, and heart valve function can all affect overall cardiac performance. Moreover, a normal ejection fraction does not completely rule out the presence of cardiovascular disease. Cardiovascular diseases are among the leading causes of heart failure, including coronary artery atherosclerotic heart disease, hypertension, and cardiomyopathy.

Therefore, if symptoms such as chest discomfort, chest tightness, or shortness of breath occur, medical evaluation should be sought promptly to determine whether heart failure or other cardiovascular conditions are present. In addition, maintaining a healthy lifestyle and undergoing regular cardiac function check-ups are important measures for preventing cardiovascular diseases.

View All

Is a cardiac ejection fraction of 47% considered which stage of heart failure?

Heart failure refers to the condition where the heart is unable to pump blood effectively. Normally, the ejection fraction ranges between 55% and 65%. The classification of heart failure is based on symptoms; therefore, it is not possible to accurately determine the stage of heart failure solely from an ejection fraction of 47%. An ejection fraction of 47% is categorized as heart failure with mildly reduced ejection fraction (also known as heart failure with mid-range ejection fraction).

View Full Answer

Pregnant woman has watery diarrhea and also experiences nausea and belching.

Pregnant women experiencing watery diarrhea along with nausea and belching may be affected by factors such as abdominal cold exposure, gastrointestinal dysfunction, or enteritis. Treatment should be based on the underlying cause. For abdominal cold exposure, applying a warm compress can help expel cold from the abdomen. Gastrointestinal dysfunction can be managed with medications like bifidobacteria or probiotics. Enteritis should be treated under medical guidance using medications such as smectite powder or amoxicillin capsules.