Q: My father recently underwent bypass surgery. Before the surgery when the echo test was taken his heart pumping power was 34%. On the night before the surgery the chief surgeon visited my father and said there is not much damage in the heart and hence only the bypass surgery will be done and there wont be any necessary for wall repairment surgery. After the surgery when the echo test was taken the pumping power was 35%. It has been 2 months since the surgery, he is fit and fine and is resumed to work...My question is Is it possible to increase the pumping power like anyone else..? IS there any health hazard associated with it..?doctor has advised him to walk half an hr in the morning and evening.

A:Ejection fraction is the measure of the pumping ability of the heart. It is reduced if the patient has suffered heart attack and if there is lack of blood flow to the heart. Following a heart attack there is damage to the heart muscle and this is irreversible. However fall in ejection fraction due to lack of blood supply increases following bypass surgery. This is usually seen on echocardiogram done 3-4 months following surgery. Patients who have dysfunction of LV (low ejection fraction) need to be in follow up of their cardiologist for optimization of drugs. He should continue to his walks. I hope I have answered your queries but if you have any other doubts, please feel free to contact us & it shall be an pleasure to answer them.