Ejection Fraction and Heart Failure Patients
Image created by Patrick
J. Lynch and illustrated by Dr. C. Carl Jaffe, CC BY 2.5: https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.5/
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 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.”
