Ejection Fraction (EF) is a measurement of how well your heart is pumping blood—specifically, how much blood the left ventricle (the main pumping chamber) pushes out with each heartbeat.
In Simple Terms:
Imagine your left ventricle is a cup filled with blood. Ejection fraction tells you how much of that blood is squeezed out with each beat.
Normal and Abnormal EF Ranges:
EF Range | What It Means |
50–70% | Normal heart function |
41–49% | Mildly reduced (sometimes called “heart failure with mildly reduced EF”) |
≤ 40% | Reduced EF (heart isn’t pumping well — “systolic heart failure”) |
> 75% | May be abnormally high, sometimes in stiff hearts or other conditions |
There’s also a type of heart failure where EF is normal, but the heart is too stiff to fill appropriately—this is called:
- Heart failure with preserved ejection fraction (HFpEF) — often seen in older adults, especially with high blood pressure, AFib, or diabetes.
How EF Is Measured:
- Echocardiogram (ultrasound of the heart) – most common method
- Cardiac MRI or nuclear scan
- Heart catheterization (less common for EF, used in more complex cases)
Why It Matters to You
Knowing your EF helps guide:
- Diagnosis: What type of heart failure do you have
- Treatment decisions: Medications and devices depend on EF
- Prognosis: Lower EF may mean higher risk, but well-managed CHF with low EF can still be stable for years
Action Step for You : At your next visit, ask:
"What is my ejection fraction, and has it changed over time?"
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