I am new here and am 28 years old. I was not having any problems but due to my family history of heart disease my doctor wanted me to have a stress test as a base line.

The test showed I had abnormal flow in my heart and the doctor suggested a cardio cath.

I had my cardio cath on Thursday and the doctor said my arteries look great but my left ventrical was only pumping out about 40% of the volume in the chamber instead of the normal 60%. The doctor called this a weak heart and thinks it was caused by myocarditis.

The doctor hopes to strengthen my heart with medication.

Has anyone else gone through this?

Being so young I am a little worried.

Thanks,

woodward,

The condition is called CARDIOMYOPATHY...unfortunately also called Heart Failure (a bad and scary term...don;t be put off by it.) Myocarditis is often, but not always, the cause...sometimes the cause is never found!

Do all the research you can: the Cardiomyopathy Association spells out in detail the various types, diagnoses, treatments, prognoses. Give a look for it.
(It's non-profit and non-commercial.)

Did your doctor say what KIND of cardiomyopathy you had? Call him and ask if he didn't.

Hi Woodward,

Myocarditis is an inflammation of the heart's muscular tissue, and this condition will impair the flexibility to contract and relax effectively.

Normal LV efficiency fraction is about 50 to 70% Two years ago my EF was below 29%, and meds have increased EF to 59%. Successful treatment of the inflammation should restore your heart's muscle tissue to normal and increase your EF. A 40% cardiac output is serious, but uncorrected will stress your heart to meet oxygen demand, and this will increase the heart's size to compensate. You don't want to go there! Obviously, the echo shows your chamber diminsions to be within normal range as that is not considered an issue at the present time.

Thanks for all the help so far. just to clear some things up. The doctor does not think I currently have myocarditis just sited that as a possible cause in the past to lead to my weak heart. My heart was not enlarged during the proceedure.

I go back to see the doctor in a week and he said we would talk more then. but he did say that this weak heart would not greatly effect my life and I will be able to have fully active life. Is this condition more serious then my doctor has lead on?

what types of questions should I ask when I see him again?

Can the pacemaker set for heart pumping at 50-70%? I know if you have a pacemaker that you get cover or insurance for heart failure, right?

Pika.

Thanks for all the help so far. just to clear some things up. The doctor does not think I currently have myocarditis just sited that as a possible cause in the past to lead to my weak heart. My heart was not enlarged during the proceedure.

I go back to see the doctor in a week and he said we would talk more then. but he did say that this weak heart would not greatly effect my life and I will be able to have fully active life. Is this condition more serious then my doctor has lead on?

what types of questions should I ask when I see him again?

To give some perspective, there are people who have an EF below 29% (heart failure range)...they don't know there is a problem and function normally! How serious and problematic depends on how well other parts of the system and the heart itself is able to maintain and keep the system in equilibrium without much stress. It may be safe to assume it depends on the individual's constitution in the long run with a healthy life style, proper diet and weight, etc.

With aerobic exercise (with dr. approval) should improve the heart's output by increasing the heart's strength and put the EF in normal range. And with medication, the heart's afterload (ie dilate vessels) will reduce the resistance the heart has to pump against and provide relief from the workload which should/could help heal, stop or slow down any progression. Also there is medication that can increase the heart's contraction.

Question of interest is the underlying problem!

Can the pacemaker set for heart pumping at 50-70%? I know if you have a pacemaker that you get cover or insurance for heart failure, right?

Pika.

Pika,

A pacemaker should maintain a regular and consistent heartbeat. The efficiency fraction (EF) is the fraction of blood pumped out of the chamber with each heart stroke (normal, 50-70% range).
An arrhythmic problem (slow, fast, irregular heartbeat), may lead to a stroke or heart failure and a correction device should be covered by insurance, yes.

Why people still can die from heart problem with the working pacemaker?

And why with the working pacemaker still need to take beta-blocker or antiarrhythmias drugs?

:confused: :confused: :confused: :confused:

Pika.

Pika,

A pacemaker establishes a rhythm...nothing else. A functioning heart depends also on properly working valves and a good supply of blood (open arteries.)
Thus one can die of slowly closing vessels, an abrupt clot in a major vessel (heart attack,) heart failure due to an ever weakening heart, or even a burst vessel and internal bleeding.

Rhythm (the pacemaker) is only one aspect of a healthy heart.

Beta blockers may be given for high blood pressure, to take the stress off a weakening heart, or to prevent angina by keeping blood vessels from constricting. Lots of people with pacemakes may need heart drugs of one kind or another.

How can Dr check out? If the pacemaker is pacing at 70 bpm, blood pressure suppose be good as well if the heart rate is in 70 regular.

I'm not allow to say "palpitation" even my chest is in "war" like at the battle field. The triage nurse will yell "You're lying to us, are you?" I was crying because I definately felt my chest is something wrong and like in "war, dropping bombs". They all said "Fine, go home wait and see." Do I have to live like this forever? This is call "normal"? Then I prefer to return the pacemaker to them, this is the pain of life and is NOT any good quality of life at all.

Thanks for your knowledges contributed in here, you're the first person explains so clear to me. Sorry for my complain.

Pika.