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Sunday, November, 22, 2009
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with an EF of 20-30, is it safe to take a pharmacological stress test or heart catherization or neit

Roger
07/14/08
In 2002 I had a heart bypass and mytral valve repair. At the time I had an Ejection Fraction [EF]of 29. The surgeries were successful. My EF jumped to 55. Recently after an Echocardiogram I was told my EF was 20-30%. I was scheduled for a pharmacological stress test but have felt very uneasy about it. Now they want me to have a heart catherization, but I AM VERY, VERY APPREHENSIVE ABOUT THAT ALSO. [I've had 3 caths before but my EF was much higher than now]. Should I be this apprehensive and frankly "scared" to have these procedures done with such a low EF? With my last catherization I went into heart failure just before they began the procedure. That was because they failed to give me my Lasix that morning. I had it done the next day and it turned out fine.
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Teresa
Saturday, July 19, 2008

Roger,

I had both done with an EF of 10%. The stress test had to be stopped before completion, but it and the cath gave my medical team the necessary info needed to treat me.

While there are risks associated with nearly everything, I think the benefit you'll receive from the tests outweigh the risks. Of course, since you're uneasy, you need to discuss it further with your doctors or get a second (or even third) opinion.

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