Is there something wrong with my heart?

[Tatyahna]

I was told by someone who is not a medical professional that my echocardiagram does not seem to indicate any   significant abnormality, and I should not really be concerned about it. l disagree, as I have shortness of breath and difficulty walking.  

The echocardiagram results show: AROTIC ROOT 2.9; LEFT ARTRIAL SIZE  No measurments shown:  SEPTAL WALL THICKNESS 1.4;   POSTERIOR WALL THICKNESS 1.1; and an LV END DIASTOLIC DIMENSION 4.8: LV END SYSTOLIC DIMENSION 3.3; RIGHT VENTRICULAR DIMENSION No measurements shown.  

Comments:
1. The left ventricle is normal in size with mild left ventricular hypertrophy and overall preserved left ventricular systolic function. Ejection fraction visually estimated at 55%.  
2. The remaining heart chamberse appear to be normal in size.
3. There are no major valvular abnormalities.
4.  There is no pericardial effusion.
5. Doppler evaluation reveals trace mitral and aortic resurgitation with a normally estimated right ventricular systolic pressure.

CONCLUSIONS: Preserved Left Ventricular Systolic Function with MILD LEFT VENTRICULAR HYPERTROPHY.

I have shortness of breath and difficulty walking, is the degree of Ventricular Hypertropy such that it would require intervention?  

[Lee Kirksey, MD]

Good luck. If your doctor actually told you that smoking a lot is not a problem then he/she is not being straightforward with you. If there is one thing that you can do to immediately improve your health and the liklihood that you will play with your grandchildren is to cut down and ultimately stop smoking. This will improve the function of your heart and lungs decrease your chance of heart attack, stroke and limb loss and lung cancer. Smoking is bad. God Bless

[Tatyahna]

Dr. Kirksey,

Thank you for your expertise. You are absolutely wonderful.  I agree that no one should be treated solely based on test results.  I am about 198lbs.  I have been trying to loose weight, but it is difficult for me to breathe, so I am unable to exercise like I want to and like I use to in the past.  I have tried (all I can do is try to diet until I can get stronger).  I smoke, a lot.  My family has been pushing me to stop.  I was trying to cut down also, but my doctor does not see this as a problem.  I agree that a stress echo or cardiacstress test would be inorder.  

Thank You Again for you expertise
Tatyahna

[Lee Kirksey, MD]

Based upon the results that you provided, no intervenion would be indicated. Having said that, we never treat a patient based solely on test results. We always take into consideration their symptoms. You complain of shortness of breath which can be caused by a number of different conditions like heart, lungs and weight conditions. If you report that you are still having symptoms, your doctor may consider a stress echo or a cardiac stress test. These tests evaluate your heart under a condition of exertion.
If those test are indicated and turn out to be negative, perhaps a lung evaluation will need to be performed.

Lastly, you didnt mention any information about your weight, smoking history, previous exercise tolerance. All of those things are important determinants of creating your described symptoms. Good luck