During my hospital stay, I was diagnosed with Severe Left Ventricular Systolic Dysfunction (LVSD), with my heart’s ejection fraction (EF) at only 20%. This means my left ventricle, the main pumping chamber of my heart, is only pumping about one-fifth of the blood it should with each beat.
What This Means
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The left ventricle is responsible for pumping oxygen-rich blood to the whole body.
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With an EF of 20%, my heart is severely impaired, and I need close monitoring and medications to help it work safely.
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Symptoms can include shortness of breath, fatigue, palpitations, and fluid retention, though some people may notice only subtle changes.
Treatment and Management
Management focuses on supporting heart function and preventing further damage:
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Medications: I take a combination of heart failure drugs, including beta-blockers, ACE inhibitors or ARNI (Entresto), diuretics (water tablets), and eplerenone.
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Lifestyle adjustments: Limiting salt, monitoring fluids, pacing physical activity, and avoiding triggers that strain the heart.
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Monitoring at home: Daily blood pressure, pulse, oxygen, and weight checks to catch early signs of fluid build-up or heart strain.
Why This Matters
LVSD at 20% is serious, but with careful monitoring, medications, and medical follow-up, people can still live meaningful lives. For me, documenting my journey and staying on top of my medications is part of my fight to survive and help others.
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