An evaluation of the left ventricular systolic (LVS) function checks how the left chamber of the heart is pumping.
Why this is important:
The proper treatment for heart failure depends on what area of your heart is affected.
An important test to check how your heart is pumping is called the left ventricular
function assessment. It can tell your healthcare provider whether the left side
of your heart is pumping properly.
Other ways to check on how your heart is pumping include:
- Your medical history
- A physical examination
- Listening to your heart sounds
- Other tests as ordered by a physician (like an electrocardiogram (ECG), chest x-ray,
blood work, or an echocardiogram).
The chart above shows the percentage of heart failure patients that were given an LVS assessment at the hospital.