Ejection
Ejection Fraction is a measurement, expressed as a percentage, of how much blood the left ventricle pumps out with each contraction. An ejection fraction of 60 percent means that 60 percent of the total amount of blood in the left ventricle is pushed out with each heartbeat. This measurement is used by physicians to determine how well your heart is pumping out blood and to diagnose and track heart failure.
Understanding Ejection Fraction[edit]
The heart is a muscle that pumps blood to the rest of the body. The left ventricle is the heart's main pumping chamber. It pumps oxygen-rich blood to the rest of the body. The right ventricle pumps blood to the lungs to pick up oxygen. The ejection fraction is a measure of how well the heart is pumping blood to the body and lungs.
Normal Ejection Fraction[edit]
A normal ejection fraction is between 50 and 70 percent. This means that 50 to 70 percent of the total amount of blood in the left ventricle is pushed out with each heartbeat.
Low Ejection Fraction[edit]
A low ejection fraction (below 40 percent) may suggest a heart condition such as heart failure or cardiomyopathy. In heart failure, the heart muscle is weakened and can't pump enough blood to meet the body's needs. In cardiomyopathy, the heart muscle becomes thick or rigid, which can lower the ejection fraction.
High Ejection Fraction[edit]
A high ejection fraction (above 75 percent) can happen when the heart muscle has become stiff and isn't filling up with enough blood. This can occur in conditions such as hypertrophic cardiomyopathy.
Measuring Ejection Fraction[edit]
Ejection fraction is usually measured during an echocardiogram, a type of ultrasound test for the heart. It can also be measured with a MRI scan, CT scan, or nuclear medicine scan.
Treatment[edit]
Treatment for a low ejection fraction may include medications, lifestyle changes, or sometimes surgery. The goal of treatment is to improve the heart's ability to pump blood, relieve symptoms, and prolong life.
See Also[edit]
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