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Questions posted in the
Heart Forum have been answered by doctors from The Cleveland Clinic Foundation.
Question Title: Echo Findings??Forum: The Heart Forum
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Dear Doctor. I had an echocardiogram over two weeks ago and I have not heard the results yet even though I have called twice now. I am concerned as i do not feel good and have swelling in various parts of the body. The only thing I know is that when the MD who was doing the Echo, mentioned that I have a very strong heart. My question: Can one have a strong heart and still have Congestive Heart Failure or Mitral Valve problems? This Echo has to be read by my cardiologist and I am still waiting. Can you answer that question for me to relieve my fears till that Cardio man gets to me? Thanks, CC doctor. Anne.
_- Dear Anne, Several disorders of heart function can result in fluid accumulation in the body. However, problems such as kidney disease and poorly functioning veins can also cause swelling. Regarding the heart conditions, buildup of fluid in the lungs (causing shortness of breath), or in the legs/abdomen are commonly encountered symptoms. Problems with the heart's pumping ability (systolic dysfunction) are the most common cause of such symptoms. In such cases, the heart muscle fails to squeeze properly, usually due to some damage that has weakened this muscle (often the result of a heart attack, or sometimes related to muscle weakness from unclear causes). In a large minority of patients, the heart squeezes well, but the muscle is stiff and relaxes poorly-- often due to years of high blood pressure. Patients with this latter combination of findings can also experience fluid buildup, but the treatment is different from patients in the first example. Finally, problems with the valves of the heart, typically the mitral valve, can result in fluid backup into the lungs and other parts of the body. All of these disorders can be identified using the echo test you mentioned. I hope you get your results in a timely manner. Best of luck. Information in the Heart Forum is for general purposes. Specific diagnoses and therapies can only be provided by your physician.
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