Heart pumps slowly

Hi, everyone!
I was wondering if you can give me some information ... I have just returned from a visit to my cardiologist who said my pacemaker is working fine but my heart is pumping only at 50%. What does this mean? Wouldn't my pacemaker take care of my heart pumping? Is this a serious condition? Thank you so much for reading my post and hopefully, giving me some answers! Ariela

3 Comments

yep.....

by Bionic Beat - 2010-06-02 10:06:22

I agree with sam78, 50% function is within normal limits, so your heart is working just fine.

What we need to know, and docs often forget to tell us, is that a healthy hearts' cardiac output or function is anywhere from 50/65% tops.

You cannot compare it to 100% as nobody has a heart with a cardiac output of 100%.

Below about 35% is when the docs consider it a significant decrease.

Hope that helps explain it, cause if you're thinking 100%, it doesn't sound great but it IS great!

Best wishes,

Bionic Beat

pumping versus rhythm

by sam78 - 2010-06-02 10:06:44

Ariela... you have essential two things that control your heart function... muscle and the electricity. While your muscles depend on your electricity to make them fire, it does not effect how effective your muscle contracts. Therefore.. even though your pacemaker is controlling your heart rhythm it doesnt make your muscle work better. 50% is actually now considered normal. 50% or greater is considered normal (it used to be 55% or above). So really it is nothing to worry about, however I am sure it is something they will continue to follow and trend. Good luck, hope that helps

Hi Ariela

by qwerty - 2010-06-03 09:06:50

Welcome...
Isn't this a great board!?!?!
There are not many places you can get a down to earth, understandable explaination of this kind.
Again Welcome.

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