Ask a Texas Heart Institute Doctor
Informed patients make better patients.
Question:
Does ejection fraction (EF) vary depending upon altitude?
Are ejection fraction test results the same at 5000 feet, as compared to sea level??? I believe that my EF testing is in error, since it is always done in a cold lab at 5000 feet. I run, yes run, 4 miles every day, without effort, without SOB, and, yet, the EF is never more than 35%. Since I also run up hotel floors (12 or more) at sea level, I just wondered if I would have a different EF at sea level?
submitted by Terry from Socorro, New Mexico on 8/23/2015
Answer:
by Texas Heart Institute cardiologist, Raymond F. Stainback, MD
The ejection fraction measured at 5000 feet should not be different than when measured at sea level.
See also on this site:
Has your question or a similar one already been answered?
Search all the Heart Doctor questions and answers.
To search for a doctor or access St. Luke's physician referral service, use the "Find a Doctor" link at the top of this page.
Updated September 2015