---
title: Ejection Fraction and Heart Failure Patients
date: 2023-08-10T03:00:00-04:00
author: OBOS Admin
canonical_url: "https://ourbodiesourselves.org/health-info/ejection-fraction-and-heart-failure-patients"
section: Resources
---
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[Health & Sexuality Info](/health-info)# Ejection Fraction and Heart Failure Patients

What is ejection fraction? How does it impact me as a heart failure patient? As a measure of heart function, ejection fraction can be a means of tracking progress, but it can also be a source of stress and anxiety. This article by Our Bodies Ourselves content expert Maggie Teliska explores the utility of ejection fraction for heart failure patients and provides other means of understanding our condition better. It provides important tools to empower heart failure patients to take ownership of our health and advocate for ourselves.

> I usually have anxiety leading up to my annual echo. For me, I look at my ejection fraction as a measure of how my heart is doing. I have to remember it is more than this number and that another important measure is how I am feeling.

[Read the full article ](https://heart-failure.net/living/ejection-fraction-number)

• AUTHOR: Maggie Teliska-Parke • LAST UPDATED: March 11, 2022

![Heart_lpla_echocardiography_diagram](data:image/png;base64,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) Image by Patrick J. Lynch and illustrated by Dr. C. Carl Jaffe/Wkimedia [CC BY 2.5](https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.5/)

![](/assets/img/monogram.webp)Topics

- [ heart health](https://ourbodiesourselves.org/subject-area/heart-health)
- [ chronic conditions](https://ourbodiesourselves.org/subject-area/chronic-conditions)
- [ advocating for our heart health](https://ourbodiesourselves.org/themes/advocating-for-your-heart-health)
- [ treatment of chronic conditions](https://ourbodiesourselves.org/themes/treatment-of-chronic-conditions)
- [self-advocacy](https://ourbodiesourselves.org/tags/self-advocacy)
- [heart disease](https://ourbodiesourselves.org/tags/heart-disease)

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[read more](https://ourbodiesourselves.org/why-you-can-trust-us)

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##### More to Explore

[Stories & ConversationsRead

## Living with Congestive Heart Failure

TC shares how she felt immediately after being diagnosed with congestive heart failure.

![Alexandru-Acea-unsplash](data:image/png;base64,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)

TC shares how she felt immediately after being diagnosed with congestive heart failure.](https://ourbodiesourselves.org/stories-conversations/my-story-living-with-congestive-heart-failure)

[Stories & ConversationsWatch

## Personal Stories of Living with Heart Failure

Hear from patients living with heart failure on how it impacts their lives, how they cope with their diagnoses, and how they find hope despite their condition.

![Image (3)](data:image/png;base64,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)

Hear from patients living with heart failure on how it impacts their lives, how they cope with their diagnoses, and how they find hope despite their condition.](https://ourbodiesourselves.org/stories-conversations/personal-stories-of-living-with-heart-failure)

[Stories & ConversationsWatch

## Becoming a Heart Health Advocate

TC discusses being diagnosed with congestive heart failure and why she became an advocate for heart health.

![Tannie](data:image/png;base64,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)

TC discusses being diagnosed with congestive heart failure and why she became an advocate for heart health.](https://ourbodiesourselves.org/stories-conversations/my-story-becoming-a-heart-health-advocate)

[Stories & ConversationsWatch

## Dealing with Doctors and My Heart Health

TC shares her experience with doctors in the days leading up to and after her diagnosis of congestive heart failure.

![Tannie](data:image/png;base64,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)

TC shares her experience with doctors in the days leading up to and after her diagnosis of congestive heart failure.](https://ourbodiesourselves.org/stories-conversations/your-story-heart-health1)

[Stories & ConversationsWatch

## Interacting with My Cardiologist

TC discusses her relationship with the cardiologist she was assigned after being diagnosed with congestive heart failure.

![Tannie](data:image/png;base64,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)

TC discusses her relationship with the cardiologist she was assigned after being diagnosed with congestive heart failure.](https://ourbodiesourselves.org/stories-conversations/your-story-heart-health3)

[Stories & ConversationsWatch

## Adjusting and Adapting to My Disease

TC talks about living with heart failure and how she has adapted to it.

![Tannie](data:image/png;base64,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)

TC talks about living with heart failure and how she has adapted to it.](https://ourbodiesourselves.org/stories-conversations/my-story-adjusting-and-adapting-to-my-disease)

[ResourcesRead

## Ten Things Every LGBT Older Adult Should Know about Heart Disease

This factsheet provides tips for maintaining heart health, with a particular focus on LGBT older adults.

![pexels-centre-for-ageing-better-11674389](data:image/png;base64,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)

This factsheet provides tips for maintaining heart health, with a particular focus on LGBT older adults.](https://ourbodiesourselves.org/health-info/10-things-lgbt-heart-disease)

[ResourcesRead

## A Disabled Person's Guide to Talking With Your Partner(s) About Sex

Disabled writer Carrie Kaufman created this excellent guide for disabled people who want help communicating sexually with their partners.

![Pexels judita tamosiunaite 2026764 scaled jpg](data:image/png;base64,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)

Disabled writer Carrie Kaufman created this excellent guide for disabled people who want help communicating sexually with their partners.](https://ourbodiesourselves.org/health-info/a-disabled-persons-guide-to-talking-with-your-partners-about-sex)