cardio check-up

ECHO: An echo cardiogram, often referred to an ECHO, is a sonogram of the heart. Also known as a cardiac ultrasound, it uses standard ultrasound techniques to image two-dimensional slices of the heart. It allows assessment of cardiac valve areas and function, any abnormal communications between the left and right side of the heart, any leaking of blood through the valves (valvular regurgitation), and calculation of the cardiac output as well as the ejection fraction.


EJECTION FRACTION: In cardiovascular physiology, ejection fraction (Ef) is the fraction of blood pumped out of the right and left ventricles with each heart beat. Healthy individuals typically have ejection fractions between 50% and 65%.

So, I had an ECHO recently to check on the function of my heart. I had been feeling very very tired recently and having trouble keeping the fluid off of my body. My Cardiologist, Dr. Olsen, decided to move up my ECHO to check things out. So far, so good with that! My "ejection fraction" was at 29%, which is good because the last ECHO also showed it at 29-30%, so it hasn't decreased. My pacemaker is doing a pretty good job of keeping my heart steady. Anything is better than 15%, which is how low it got before the pacemaker was implanted.

I mentioned that I was having problem with water retention, so they doubled my diuretic (80mg) and I ended up getting 6 lbs. of fluid off. Which was awesome!! I tried to get myself back down to my normal dose (40mg), but it didn't seem to be working very well. Now I am taking 60mg and it seems to be working. That could affect my kidney function, they might need to change that med.

My bloodwork was all pretty good as well. My cholesterol has improved with the helps of meds and fish oil. (Inherited that one, thanks Dad!) It's not really too bad, but with my heart already being at a disadvantage she wanted me to start on the meds to help. My Vitamin D level is very very low, so I will probably have to take something for that for a short while. My thyroid function was off a little more than usual also, so my general doctor, Dr. Taylor, will probably fuss with that med too. The consensus was that I was probably so tired due to the water retention, low vitamin D and thyroid. I am feeling a little better now, but still tired. Hopefully that will get a little better soon. I've started riding my exercise bike too, hoping that would help wake me up and improve things all around.

Soooo, that is the medical update on me. If I could get rid of all of the pea soup hovering over our valley I'd also feel a TON better! HA! Not gonna happen.