Why is My Heart Function Low?

Discovering that one’s heart function is low can be a concerning revelation. It is important to understand that low heart function is often a sign of an underlying health condition.

What is Left Ventricle Ejection Fraction?

Left ventricle ejection fraction is a measurement used to evaluate how effectively the left ventricle of the heart pumps blood out to the rest of the body. It represents the percentage of blood pumped out of the left ventricle with each contraction. Typically expressed as a percentage, a normal LVEF ranges between 50% and 70%.

Understanding Low Heart Function:

A reduced LVEF, below 50%, suggests compromised heart function. Low heart function, also known as reduced ejection fraction or impaired cardiac function, refers to the decreased ability of the heart to effectively pump blood throughout the body. This can further be divided into Mildly reduced LVEF, Moderately reduced LVEF or severely reduced LVEF. This can lead to symptoms like fatigue, shortness of breath, fluid retention, and limited physical endurance. Several factors can contribute to low heart function:

1. Coronary Artery Disease: Coronary artery disease occurs when the blood vessels supplying the heart become narrowed or blocked due to a buildup of plaque. This can lead to reduced blood flow to the heart muscle, resulting in impaired heart function.
2. Heart Attack: A heart attack occurs when a coronary artery becomes completely blocked, cutting off blood supply to a portion of the heart muscle. The damaged heart muscle may not contract as efficiently, leading to low heart function.
3. Cardiomyopathy: Cardiomyopathy refers to various conditions that weaken and enlarge the heart muscle, reducing its ability to pump blood effectively. This can be caused by genetic factors, infections, alcohol abuse, drug use, or certain medical conditions.
4. Heart Valve Disorders: Malfunctioning heart valves, such as aortic stenosis or mitral regurgitation, can disrupt the normal flow of blood through the heart, leading to decreased heart function over time.
5. High Blood Pressure: Prolonged high blood pressure can strain the heart and eventually weaken its muscle, resulting in reduced heart function.
6. Congenital Heart Defects: Some individuals may be born with structural abnormalities in their hearts, such as holes in the heart walls or malformed valves. These defects can affect heart function, leading to low ejection fraction.
7. Arrhythmias: Abnormal heart rhythms, such as atrial fibrillation or ventricular tachycardia, can disrupt the heart’s pumping action, reducing its overall efficiency and causing low heart function.
8. Other Factors: Certain lifestyle choices, including smoking, excessive alcohol consumption, drug abuse, and a sedentary lifestyle, can contribute to heart muscle damage and impaired heart function.

Seeking Medical Evaluation:

If you suspect that your heart function is low or experience symptoms such as fatigue, breathlessness, or swelling, it is crucial to consult a healthcare professional for an accurate diagnosis and appropriate treatment. Hear function (LVEF) <35% poses a significant health risk and need to be evaluated in detail. Diagnostic tests, such as an echocardiogram, electrocardiogram (ECG), stress test, or cardiac catheterization, may be performed to assess heart function and identify the underlying cause.

Treatment Options: The treatment for low heart function depends on the underlying cause. Some common approaches include:

1. Medications: Medications like ACE inhibitors, beta-blockers, diuretics, and aldosterone antagonists, ARNI may be prescribed to improve heart function, manage symptoms, and reduce the workload on the heart.
2. Lifestyle Modifications: Adopting a heart-healthy lifestyle, including regular exercise, a balanced diet low in salt and saturated fats, maintaining a healthy weight, and avoiding smoking and excessive alcohol consumption, can positively impact heart function.
3. Medical Procedures and Devices: In some cases, medical procedures such as coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG), angioplasty, heart valve repair or replacement, or the implantation of devices like pacemakers or implantable cardioverter-defibrillators (ICDs) may be necessary.

Low heart function can be caused by various factors, including coronary artery disease, heart attacks, cardiomyopathy, heart valve disorders, high blood pressure, congenital heart defects, arrhythmias, and lifestyle choices. Recognizing the potential causes and seeking medical evaluation is crucial to identify the underlying condition and receive appropriate treatment. With proper diagnosis, timely intervention, and adherence to a heart-healthy lifestyle, it is possible to manage and improve heart function, promoting overall cardiovascular health and well-being.