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Becky · 10-10-2009, 05:23 AM

An echo measures the pumping efficiency of your heart. 50 and above is normal. I think somewhere in the 60s is "fit" and above 70 is for marathon runners or something like that. Herceptin protocol says that your echo must be at least 50 to take the drug. Echos are then done every 3 months to ensure that Herceptin is not effecting the pumping action of the heart. You are doing good.

The two readings you have are very close but the 64 is certainly an improvement over 59 but I would still consider these the same number. It shows that chemotherapy did affect your heart either.

10-10-2009, 05:23 AM	#2
Becky Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: Stockton, NJ Posts: 4,179	Re: Don't understand echo reading An echo measures the pumping efficiency of your heart. 50 and above is normal. I think somewhere in the 60s is "fit" and above 70 is for marathon runners or something like that. Herceptin protocol says that your echo must be at least 50 to take the drug. Echos are then done every 3 months to ensure that Herceptin is not effecting the pumping action of the heart. You are doing good. The two readings you have are very close but the 64 is certainly an improvement over 59 but I would still consider these the same number. It shows that chemotherapy did affect your heart either. __________________ Kind regards Becky Found lump via BSE Diagnosed 8/04 at age 45 1.9cm tumor, ER+PR-, Her2 3+(rt side) 2 micromets to sentinel node Stage 2A left 3mm DCIS - low grade ER+PR+Her2 neg lumpectomies 9/7/04 4DD AC followed by 4 DD taxol Used Leukine instead of Neulasta 35 rads on right side only 4/05 started Tamoxifen Started Herceptin 4 months after last Taxol due to trial results and 2005 ASCO meeting & recommendations Oophorectomy 8/05 Started Arimidex 9/05 Finished Herceptin (16 months) 9/06 Arimidex Only Prolia every 6 months for osteopenia NED 18 years! Said Christopher Robin to Pooh: "You must remember this: You're braver than you believe and stronger than you seem and smarter than you think"