Which measurement can indicate heart failure severity?

Ejection fraction is a vital measurement used to assess the severity of heart failure. It represents the percentage of blood that is pumped out of the heart's ventricles with each contraction. A normal ejection fraction typically ranges from 55% to 70%; values below this range can indicate impaired heart function and the presence of heart failure.

In heart failure, a reduced ejection fraction can signify worsening heart muscle performance, suggesting that the heart is not able to pump blood effectively, which is a critical aspect of diagnosing the severity of the condition. This measurement provides insight into the heart's contractility, which is central to understanding the patient’s functional capacity and guiding treatment decisions.

Other measurements, like heart rate, blood pressure, and respiratory rate, can be influenced by various factors and do not specifically indicate the underlying severity of heart failure. While they are important for a comprehensive assessment of a patient’s condition, they do not provide the same level of detail regarding the heart's pumping capability as ejection fraction does.