The heart's "percentage" likely refers to ejection fraction, which measures how much blood the left ventricle pumps out with each contraction. According to the reference provided, ejection fraction can go as low as less than 40%, which may indicate heart failure.
Here's a breakdown of different ejection fraction percentages and what they might indicate:
| Ejection Fraction Percentage | Interpretation |
|---|---|
| Less than 40% | May confirm the diagnosis of heart failure. |
| 40 to 55% | Below normal heart function. Can indicate previous heart damage (heart attack, cardiomyopathy). |
| Higher than 75% | Can indicate a heart condition like hypertrophic cardiomyopathy. |
While a heart can continue to function with an ejection fraction below 40%, it signals a serious underlying heart condition requiring medical evaluation and management.
