Queendiva
01-14-2008, 05:35 PM
I was recently diagnosed with congestive heart failure with a 25% pumping rate. I was told that I had to rest, couldn't lift anything, no or low salt, very little water. The RN delivering the information made it sound like a death sentence. I am scheduled to see my regular doctor who will send me to a cardiologist. Does this mean that there is nothing or very little that can be done for me? Am I facing an end of life situation? I know that God has the last say but I would like as much info as possible.
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danimal15
01-14-2008, 06:58 PM
First - I'm no expert, but I believe the RN was referring to your ejection fraction - or the fraction of blood pumped out of your ventricle with each heart beat.
A normal EF should be well above 50%. A 25% reading is very low and means your heart is not working properly.
Is it a death sentence? I don't know. There are ways to improve your EF, which I'm sure you're discussing with your doctor. It certainly isn't good news at all, though I have heard of EFs far worse than yours.
A normal EF should be well above 50%. A 25% reading is very low and means your heart is not working properly.
Is it a death sentence? I don't know. There are ways to improve your EF, which I'm sure you're discussing with your doctor. It certainly isn't good news at all, though I have heard of EFs far worse than yours.
jrmom1
01-16-2008, 02:41 PM
I agree with the previous poster.
But I would like to edit to state that an RN should not be the one to give you that news.
But I would like to edit to state that an RN should not be the one to give you that news.
Queendiva
01-22-2008, 01:16 AM
I think she was a nurse practicioner, but except for one occasion she was the one that came to talk with me and explain the various tests during my week long stay in the hospital.