Heart Failure Support Group

Heart failure is a condition that can result from any structural or functional cardiac disorder that impairs the ability of the heart to fill with or pump a sufficient amount of blood throughout the body. It is often undiagnosed due to a lack of a universally agreed definition and difficulties in diagnosis, particularly when the condition is considered "mild."

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Ejection fraction dropped

ATOWifeofJason
ATOWifeofJason
My mom went to her cardiologist yesterday and her ejection fraction has dropped from 55-60% to 40-45% since June. He has put her on spironolact and Carvedilol. I've heard good things about these medicines and want to know the boards experiences with these. All responses are welcome. I am just freaking out a little because of the addition of a diuretic. Thanks everyone.
deleted_user
deleted_user
I take Carvedilol and outside of some fatigue I have had no real problems so far. I don't think adding an additional medicine is necessarily a "bad" sign, it can actually improve your overall quality of life as was the case in my situation. The diuretic is a good thing, trust me struggling to breathe when you can't get the fluid off is a whole lot worse.
woolly
woolly
I was diagnosed with heart failure almost two years ago at the age of 62. With spironolactone and Carvedilol (plus Atacand), my ejection fraction has improved from 17 to 35. The first year, my cardiologist and transplant doctor thought I'd be on the transplant list by the end of the year. This is good stuff!
deleted_user
deleted_user
First of all, the ejection fraction range is still good, although I understand your concern. Carvedilol is often used to help reverse heart failure. Don't freak out. Stay calm.
eduwardo
eduwardo
Five years ago mine was 22 now 55 with these meds as well as exercise, low sodium diet etc.....listen to the cardio guy/gal they have your mom on the right path!
deleted_user
deleted_user
Rather than worrying about the current heart failure - perhaps you both should be considering why the heart has moved from normal into the CHF range.

What is causing this problem? Why is the heart in trouble??

That would be my first concern - rather than trying to determine if the doctors are using the right medicines.
Fern-RL
Fern-RL
My husband is also on Carvedilol and Spironololactone, as well as other medicines both for the heart and for diuretic. Carvedilol is a wonder drug in my opinion, and Spironolactone has value for the heart directly besides its use as a diuretic.

My husband was diagnosed with CHF a year ago, nearly Christmas eve--almost dead. I think all those drugs and the treatment from his cardiologists have saved his life. They certainly raised his EF. And, he hasn't needed any implanted devices, or to be put on a transplant list.
august2012
august2012
Carvedolol - yummmie!
It is so nice I have it for breakfast and tea
Sorry.....it does seem to be a bit of a wonder drug as a beta blocker when combined with others such as ace inhibitors according to journal articles in last 3 years. Maybe I should do some further reading on it......I have simply accepted that it is a good idea.
Fern-RL
Fern-RL
The one thing about Carvedilol is that it needs to build up in a person's system before they can tolerate a full strength dose.

My husband is on 25 mg (full strength) now, but he was on 6.25 at first then 12.5 before getting it doubled again. His younger brother had to have a heart transplant 10-15 years ago and participated in the health study that tested the Carvedilol. When they doubled the dose with him from 25 to 50 mg, (always telling him not to leave the hospital for X amount of time to see how he adjusted to the medication) he ended up flat on his back in the cafeteria.