Questions related to recent echocardiogram

[MichaelJ2001]

Had echo done in Sept., was told by Dr. that everything was normal.  Decided to get a copy of the results the other day on a whim, and have a question about some of the results.

26 y.o. male. Normal echo doppler study

LV, RV: Normal in size and function

Atria: Left Atria; Normal Right atrial is borderline enlarged. Interatrial septum is intact with no evidence of septal defect.

Everything else was normal, so for the sake of brevity I won't list those results.

LA Dimension: 4.0 cm
RA Dimension: 3.2 cm
LVIDd: 5.3 cm
RVDd: 3.7 cm
EF: 68%
Aortic Rood diam: 3.2 cm

The part I'm concerned about is the borderline enlarged right atrium. Why would the echo be considered "normal" if this enlargement was present? What advice would you give me going forward? What can I do to address this enlargement, and what problems could result from a borderline enlarged right atria?

[Lee Kirksey, MD]

Hello
I have a couple questions that might help me. Do you have any chronic medical problems. What is your height and weight. What symptoms necessitated this test in a 26 year old male. Those answers might help me to answer your question

As far as the echo being read as borderline enlarged, my interpretation of that statement is that your atrium falls within the laboratories normal range for atrial aside. It is at the top end of the range. Men have organs that are larger than women's organs. Large men have large organs etc. So the lab range is relatively broad. And the heart is a muscle so there is some variation among well trained athletes as well.

There is no advice that I would give you specific to that particular finding. What I would say is that in general for total body and cardiovascular health you should be active exercising on at least 5 days per week. Your diet should consist of low fat with less than 30 grams of total fat per day and 12 grams of saturated fat. And a low glycemic diet has been shown to provide some anti-inflammatory benefit. There are a number of healthy lifestyle recommendations far beyond the scope of this short response but I thin the most important thing is to recognize that a lifestyle that avoids the development of hypertension and elevated cholesterol will be most beneficial to preventing inordinate strain on your cardiovascular system

Best of health
www.personalwellnesswheel.com

[MichaelJ2001]

I am about 260 pounds and am about 6'4''.  I understand that's a large body size, but as an ex football player I'm very muscular and am in pretty good shape.  That said, I do understand that I'm carrying too much weight and am working to get it addressed with excercise and diet.  

The test was prompted after I saw my primary care physician with mild chest discomfort, which was later determined to be from refulx/indigestion as antacids and dietary changes helped that problem.  I also had experienced PVC's, which I've discovered have been brought on almost entiredly by use of caffeine, which I have since eliminated from my diet.

I spoke with the cardiologist that performed the echo this morning, and he said that their lab uses 3.1 cm as the upper limit for RA dimension. He also said that my heart function looked very good on the echo, and that he was not alarmed at all by the borderline enlargement and that I should not be either.

Thank you for your prompt response, and I would appreciate any more advice that you'd have.

[Lee Kirksey, MD]

That's good news. I agree with the doctor. I do uniformly tell ex athletes that "lean" is in. As you age, it becomes progressively more difficult for former sportsters to maintain their "playing weight". Identify your ideal lean body weight and take the necessary steps to get their. Ive yet to see a patient lean out who doesnt feel better and look better without compromising strenghth or endurance

Best of health

www.personalwellnesswheel.com