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Hi My name is Donna and I'm a healthy 34 year old woman. I had an episode of atrial fibrillation about a year and a half ago and at that time had several tests done. My echo was fine and so was my stress test a per the cardiologist. However, I just received a copy of my reports and noticed that the doctor mentioned that my left ventricular ejection fraction was 87% which was high likely to low ventricular volume! Is this okay? I keep reading about hypertrophic cardiomyopathy but he didn't mention anything about that. Do you think that's what I had or the echo would have indicated that?? I suffer from anxiety/panic disorder and my heart seems to be my main focus as it constantly feels like it's beatting fast and forcefully. Can anxiety raise ejection fraction?? Just curious if anyone has any answers>..
thanks.
Donna
In Reply to: Hyperdynamic ejection fraction posted by Donna [20.2532] on June 04, 2006 at 13:31:41:
Donna,
If this EF was reported as part of a nuclear stress test it is well documented that EF's are over estimated in women that are small framed. (I happen to do these for a living). Left ventricular output would be increased if there is a demand for more blood.
HTH
Rose
In Reply to: Re: Hyperdynamic ejection fraction posted by Rose [3753.2287] on June 04, 2006 at 16:31:48:
Thanks so much for your reply Rose! I'm 5'5 and about 136 pounds so I guess that's average,right? The echo said that everything was fine and that the overall ejection fraction and motion was normal. However, the stress test said it was elevated and that it was hyperdynamic due to low ventricular volume. What does that mean and why do I have low ventricular volume?? Thanks Rose.
In Reply to: Re: Hyperdynamic ejection fraction..Rose posted by Donna [15.2532] on June 04, 2006 at 20:01:33:
The software that is used to process the data collected by the camera has many features and reporting conclusions. The most important is the 1. Perfusion (blood supply to the heart muscle) 2. Wall motion (how well the muscle moves) 3. Ejection fraction (End diastolic vs. End Systolic). Just like any test, it's not perfect and has limitations. In my experience, and from journal articles that compared nuclear perfusion data with echo testing and cardiac caths, small statured women (or small hearts in general) can overestimate the ejection fraction (normal being 50-70%). Since there is a finite ability for the volume to be measured, the program does the best it can.
Think of it this way..just an example..simplified and not accurate to a REAL heart. A real heart volume is measured in milliliters, not cups.
If an average heart (left ventricle) contains at max volume capacity of 100 cups and then at minimim volume capacity 30 cups.. the EF would be 70%.
Now, think of a 'small' heart.
Max capacity of 40 cups vs. Min capacity of 12 cups.. again EF "should" be 70%. But the difference is the ability for the camera to focus on something that much smaller than the average heart. It's a matter of limitations of technology. It may overestimate the EF to be 89%.
You have a lower volume in your heart because it is physically smaller than the average heart.. but it's the correct size for YOU.
In Reply to: Re: Hyperdynamic ejection fraction..Rose posted by Rose [3800.2287] on June 04, 2006 at 20:25:44:
Thanks, Rose!
Great information!
Walt
In Reply to: Hyperdynamic ejection fraction posted by Donna [20.2532] on June 04, 2006 at 13:31:41:
Thanks so much AGAIN Rose for answering my post and for the information. That's a load off. It's not hypertrophic cardiomyopathy then, right?? The doctor would have had to tell me that wouldn't he?? I'm telling you, a person starts to get themselves into trouble when they start researching "high" ejection fractions on the internet. Everything points to HCM and I freaked out......
Donna
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