⚠️ A Note of Caution
This information is for educational purposes only and is NOT medical advice. If you have been diagnosed with a heart condition, you must always consult your Heart Failure Specialist Nurse, Cardiologist, and medical team for guidance specific to your treatment and care plan.
When facing a diagnosis of heart failure, the medical terminology can be overwhelming. Understanding terms like LVSD, Ejection Fraction (EF), and Angina is the first step in taking control of your health journey.
Here is a breakdown of what these terms mean and why they are often managed together.
💔 Part 1: The Weakened Pump (LVSD & EF 20%)
The heart is a pump with four chambers. The Left Ventricle (LV) is the main engine—it’s responsible for pushing oxygenated blood out to the rest of the body.
What is LVSD?
LVSD stands for Left Ventricular Systolic Dysfunction. Essentially, this means the muscular walls of your left ventricle are not squeezing or contracting as strongly as they should during the "systolic" (pumping) phase of the heartbeat.
What Does EF 20% Mean?
The most critical number you'll hear is the Ejection Fraction (EF).
The EF is a percentage that tells us how much blood the left ventricle pumps out with each beat.
A normal, healthy EF is usually between 50% and 70%.
An EF of 20% is considered Severely Reduced (often called HFrEF – Heart Failure with Reduced Ejection Fraction).
An EF of 20% means the heart is struggling significantly, leading to typical heart failure symptoms:
Breathlessness: Especially during activity, or when lying down.
Fatigue: Extreme tiredness and lack of energy.
Fluid Retention (Edema): Swelling in the legs, ankles, or abdomen.
⚡ Part 2: The Pain of Lack of Oxygen (Angina)
Angina is chest pain or discomfort that occurs when the heart muscle isn't getting enough oxygen-rich blood. This is often a sign of underlying Coronary Artery Disease (CAD)—blockages in the heart's arteries.
Why Do They Happen Together?
When you have a low EF and angina, it usually points to one of two things:
Ischemic Cardiomyopathy: The muscle damage that caused the heart failure (the LVSD/EF 20%) was due to a lack of blood flow (ischemia) from CAD. The blockages are still there, causing chest pain during exertion.
Increased Demand: A severely damaged and enlarged heart muscle has a massive hunger for oxygen. Even without new blockages, the muscle’s demand can exceed the blood supply, triggering anginal pain.
💊 The Modern Treatment Strategy
Managing a diagnosis of LVSD EF 20% with angina involves a meticulously calibrated cocktail of medications—often referred to as Optimized Medical Therapy (OMT).
Many modern heart failure regimens combine powerful drugs to achieve several goals simultaneously:
Reduce Workload: Medications like Beta-Blockers (e.g., Bisoprolol) slow the heart rate and reduce blood pressure, giving the heart a chance to rest and recover.
Improve Pumping & Longevity: Medications like ARNI/ACEi/ARB (e.g., Sacubitril/Valsartan) work to reverse or halt the progression of heart remodeling, improving heart function over time.
Manage Fluid and Hormones: Medications like Diuretics (e.g., Eplerenone) and SGLT2 Inhibitors (e.g., Dapagliflozin) help the body shed excess fluid and provide protective effects for the heart and kidneys.
Prevent Clots: Anticoagulants (e.g., Apixaban) are often necessary, especially if AFib is present, to prevent stroke.
Treat Pain: GTN Spray is used to quickly relieve acute anginal pain.
This combination of drugs is powerful and requires regular blood tests and careful dose adjustments to ensure maximum benefit with minimal side effects like low blood pressure or electrolyte imbalance.
🗣️ Your Next Steps: Communication is Key
If you or a loved one are managing this complex diagnosis, remember the most important piece of advice:
Always listen to your Heart Failure Specialist Nurse, Cardiologist, and medical team. They are the experts guiding your specific therapy, monitoring for dangerous interactions, and adjusting your medications based on your unique needs and test results.
Don't hesitate to ask questions about your medications, what symptoms to watch for, and what to do in an emergency. Being an informed patient is your best defense!
🚨 When to Seek Help (UK Guidance)
Never be overly cautious when it comes to your heart. Symptoms can change quickly. If your symptoms of breathlessness, chest pain, or fluid retention suddenly worsen, or if you feel very unwell:
For Urgent Medical Advice (Non-life-threatening): Call NHS 111. You can also consider sending a message to your GP for non-urgent advice if you are concerned about your condition.
For Emergencies (e.g., severe, crushing, or prolonged chest pain; sudden, severe breathlessness; loss of consciousness): Call 999 immediately.
Comments
Post a Comment