What is the normal range for ejection fraction?

Prepare for the Royal Australian College of General Practitioners exam with interactive quizzes, flashcards, and multiple-choice questions. Learn with detailed explanations and ace your exam!

The normal range for ejection fraction, a crucial measurement of the heart's pumping efficiency, is considered to be between 50% and 70%. Ejection fraction reflects the percentage of blood that is pumped out of the heart's left ventricle with each contraction. Values within this range indicate that the heart is functioning optimally and is capable of efficiently pumping blood to the body.

An ejection fraction below 50% may indicate underlying conditions such as heart failure or other cardiovascular diseases, as it suggests that the heart is not pumping as effectively as it should be. Conversely, an ejection fraction that exceeds 70% can also be a cause for concern, as it may signal conditions such as hypertrophic cardiomyopathy, where the heart muscle is abnormally thickened.

Values outside of the normal range, either lower or higher, may necessitate further investigation and management, emphasizing the importance of understanding and correctly interpreting normal ejection fraction ranges in clinical practice.

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