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What Is Ejection Fraction?
Understand what your heart test results mean in simple terms
Confused by your medical report? We help explain it clearly.
Ejection fraction (EF) is the percentage of blood your heart pumps out with each beat. A normal EF is typically between 55% and 70%. Lower values may indicate reduced heart function.
What It Means
Your heart fills with blood and then squeezes to push it out. Ejection fraction is the share of blood the left ventricle pushes out on each squeeze, shown as a percentage.
Why It Matters
EF is one of the most useful numbers for understanding how well your heart is pumping. Doctors use it to track heart health over time and to guide treatment decisions.
What Is Normal
A typical healthy EF sits between 55% and 70%. Slightly lower or higher values are not always a problem on their own — context, symptoms, and trends matter.
When To Pay Attention
An EF below 50% may suggest the heart is not pumping as efficiently as expected. If your number is dropping over time, or you have symptoms like shortness of breath or swelling, it is worth discussing with your doctor.
Echocardiogram context
Ejection fraction is most often reported on an echocardiogram as LVEF, or left ventricular ejection fraction. It should be interpreted alongside valve findings, chamber size, wall motion, symptoms, and previous scans.
Related terms
Reports may mention preserved EF, borderline EF, reduced EF, HFrEF, HFpEF, hyperdynamic EF, or wall motion abnormalities. These terms describe how the pumping number fits into the broader heart picture.
Common questions
What is a normal ejection fraction?
A normal EF is generally between 55% and 70%. Values just below or above are not automatically a concern and are usually reviewed alongside symptoms and history.
Can ejection fraction improve?
Yes. Lifestyle changes, medications and treating underlying causes can help EF improve over time for many people. Your doctor will guide what is realistic for your situation.
Is a low ejection fraction serious?
A low EF can be a sign that the heart is not pumping as well as it should and is often monitored closely. It does not always mean something is severely wrong, but it should be discussed with a clinician.
What causes low ejection fraction?
Common contributors include prior heart attacks, long-standing high blood pressure, certain heart muscle conditions and valve problems. Your report alone cannot identify the cause.