Which EF range defines heart failure with preserved ejection fraction (HFpEF)?

Which EF range defines heart failure with preserved ejection fraction (HFpEF)?

• A. EF 60-70%
• B. EF ≥50%
• C. EF ≤40%
• D. EF 41-49%

Answer: (B)

Preserved ejection fraction means the heart’s pumping capacity, as measured by ejection fraction, remains normal or near-normal even though heart failure symptoms are present. Ejection fraction is the percentage of blood the left ventricle pumps out with each beat, typically about 50-70% in healthy individuals. When the EF is 50% or higher, the condition is classified as heart failure with preserved ejection fraction, reflecting diastolic dysfunction—the ventricle doesn’t fill properly due to stiffness, while systolic pumping is still relatively preserved. In contrast, a reduced EF (typically ≤40%) defines heart failure with reduced ejection fraction, and the mid-range category (around 41-49%) is HF with mid-range EF. Therefore, the range that defines HFpEF is EF ≥50%.

Preserved ejection fraction means the heart’s pumping capacity, as measured by ejection fraction, remains normal or near-normal even though heart failure symptoms are present. Ejection fraction is the percentage of blood the left ventricle pumps out with each beat, typically about 50-70% in healthy individuals. When the EF is 50% or higher, the condition is classified as heart failure with preserved ejection fraction, reflecting diastolic dysfunction—the ventricle doesn’t fill properly due to stiffness, while systolic pumping is still relatively preserved. In contrast, a reduced EF (typically ≤40%) defines heart failure with reduced ejection fraction, and the mid-range category (around 41-49%) is HF with mid-range EF. Therefore, the range that defines HFpEF is EF ≥50%.