I had an echocardigram stress test this week. They say my heart's ejection fraction is up to 40% now (from 20% after surgery). It needs to be 45% or more. (Normal is 55% to 75%.) For low EF, her is what a person needs to do:

Lifestyle choices that may be recommended to patients with an abnormal ejection fraction include:

Limiting physical activity until the appropriate level of activity is approved by one’s physician, and then staying as active as possible. Regular aerobic exercise may be recommended, while patients may be instructed to avoid weight training or lifting heavy objects.


Scheduling relaxation and rest periods throughout the day.


Eating a heart-healthy diet and avoiding excessive fluid intake.


Reducing salt intake.


Completely avoiding alcohol and/or tobacco use.


Keeping a daily weight diary and notifying a physician of any weight gain of three or more pounds in a single week (which may indicate fluid retention and the need for an immediate change in treatment).


A cardiac rehabilitation program may be recommended for patients with heart failure.