What is 20 percent ejection fraction of the heart?

Answer 1

An ejection fraction (EF) of 20% means that the heart's left ventricle pumps out only 20% of the blood that fills it with each beat. Normally, the left ventricle should pump out at least 55% of the blood that fills it.

An EF of 20% indicates severe left ventricular systolic dysfunction, which can be a sign of advanced heart failure. This means the heart is not pumping enough blood to meet the body's needs, leading to symptoms like:

• Shortness of breath

• Fatigue

• Swelling in legs and feet

• Rapid or irregular heartbeat

A low EF can be caused by various conditions, including:

• Coronary artery disease

• Heart attack

• Cardiomyopathy

• High blood pressure

• Heart valve problems

Treatment options may include:

• Medications to improve heart function and reduce symptoms

• Lifestyle changes, such as diet and exercise modifications

• Device therapy, like an implantable cardioverter-defibrillator (ICD) or cardiac resynchronization therapy (CRT)

• Heart transplantation in severe cases

It's essential to work closely with a healthcare provider to manage heart failure and improve quality of life.

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Answer 2

it means that only 20% of the volume in the heart (more or less) is ejected with each beat.