ACSM Clinical Exercise Physiologist (CEP) Practice Exam 2025 – Your Comprehensive All-in-One Prep Guide for Success!

In the context of systolic heart failure, the ejection fraction (EF) is a crucial measurement reflecting the percentage of blood that the left ventricle pumps out with each contraction. A normal ejection fraction typically ranges from 55% to 70%. In cases of systolic heart failure, the heart loses its ability to contract effectively, leading to a reduced ejection fraction.

An advisable ejection fraction for individuals diagnosed with systolic heart failure would generally be below 40%, indicating a significant impairment in cardiac function. Therefore, an ejection fraction below 30% (the answer provided) is consistent with advanced heart failure where the heart function is severely compromised, and these patients often exhibit symptoms like fatigue and shortness of breath during exertion.

While other ranges might indicate lower degrees of heart function (like 30% to 50% or above 50%), the correct advisability emphasizes that ejection fractions falling below 30% align with the definitions and implications of more severe systolic heart failure, underscoring the need for careful management and intervention in these patients.