Dr. Fett - how is it that my heart is stronger

[SarahsMom]

Dr. Fett,

Hello, hope you're doing well. I just got the results from the cardiologist regarding my 1st trimester echo results. My heart looks stronger than the echo taken in July (4 months ago) and I'm 14 weeks pregnant. He also said my ejection fraction had improved from 55% to 60%???? How can this be? I thought (from all my cardiologists) this is (pregnancy) the very worst thing I could do for my heart.

Just thought you may have seen the same trend in Haiti.

Thanks,
Kari

[melissamph]

Yeah Kari!! I will keep praying for a great pregnancy!!!

[JAMESFETT]

That's a good sign that your heart function is norml. There is of course even apart from pregnancy, a small variation in EF from one exam to another, that's the normal range of variation. In addition, at 15 weeks pregnancy the normal heart responds with increased cardiac output and stroke volume and slight increase in EF. So your observations are well within the range of normal cardiac response to pregnancy. A very good sign.

James

[SarahsMom]

Thanks Dr. Fett! I'll keep my fingers crossed that my heart remains stable/normal! I appreciate your insight!

Kari

[miachic]

Yes for you! I get happier and happier the more I read about your pregnancy. I hope it continues to go this well! Prayers....