When it comes to managing your heart, there is one critical phrase every woman needs to memorize: know your numbers. While we are taught to keep an eye on our cholesterol and blood pressure, very few women know their “ejection fraction” (EF). Ejection fraction is the percentage of blood that your heart pumps out with each individual contraction. A normal, healthy human heart sits around 55% to 65%. During her severe battle with heart failure, Karin McNeil’s numbers plummeted into the single digits, causing her body to retain fluid and struggle for oxygen.

Karin’s primary care doctor noticed her rapid weight gain—five pounds during every bi-weekly visit—but didn’t initially connect it to fluid buildup from a failing heart. It wasn’t until Karin took full ownership of her health journey, pushed past the bureaucratic red tape, and found a dedicated cardiac partner in Leesburg that her numbers began to steadily climb back up to a safe, healthy range.

Being the absolute leader of your own healthcare journey requires finding a specialist who treats you as an active partner. As outlined in our guide on How to Choose Your Cardiac Partner, a true medical partnership goes far beyond a degree on the wall; it requires deep empathy, meticulous determination, and an unwillingness to let insurance guidelines dictate a patient’s survival.

Today, Karin is thriving, maintaining her regular checkups in Lake County, FL, and utilizing her second chance at life to focus on her long-term metabolic wellness. If you are ready to stop guessing about your cardiovascular status and want to establish a true baseline for your future, take our comprehensive, “Are You at Risk?” Quiz today and partner with a team in Leesburg that will never stop fighting for you.

Medical disclaimer: This article is for education only and does not replace medical advice. Seek emergency care for severe symptoms.