? after having an echo cardiogram done

I am a 61 year old female who just had an echo cardiogram of my heart done.  The "impression" states:

Evidence for left ventricular diastolic dysfunction.
Normal global and probable normal regional left ventricular systolic function.
Left atrial enlargement.
Aortic insufficiency which is probably no more than mild.
Aortic sclerosis without aortic stenosis.

Now, the words probable and probably bothers me..you think?   I have fluid in my lungs (and x ray was done on 1/11/11) and I have been down (resting) over a month..I tire very easily and get "winded"  I have only had 1 "Z" pack of antibiotics, 5 steroid pills and a puffer (ProAir HFA).  that I rarely use.

My question is, what needs to be done next?  Please HELP!

[caregiver222]

My goodness, you seem in fairly good shape.

Left ventricular diastolic dysfunction and left atrial enlargement commonly develops with asthmatics and those with COPD. Keeping your asthma under control is the best you can do for this.

You have a tad of sclerosis. Common. Take long-acting niacin, 1000 mg a day of omega-3 fish oils and pomegranite extract pills.

You have left out much of your medical history. The prescription for antibiotics suggests you had an infection, which could acount for the fluid in the lung.

I see no reason for you to be prescribed steroidal pills (five). Hmmm.

The fluid in your lungs could be due to so-called congestive heart failure and increased venous pre-load, but fluid is common after a long infection.

Since you were not prescribed a diuretic, I suspect your physician concluded it was due to the infection.

Consider getting a low-dose steroidal inhaler and trying foradil (formoterol fumarate) twice a day. Some people have trouble with this. Others swear by it. It is a long acting beta-agonist that will keep your lungs clear.

Next, get a general work-up. Those on long term prednisone sometimes have atrophy of the adrenals which causes fatigue. Get a diabetic screen to include fasting glucose and an hba1c. Sometimes fatigue is due to sugar imbalance.

Then stop worrying and plan a vacation doing whatever you like to do best and enjoy the year. Have fun.

You aren't in any sort of life-threatening situation.

[caregiver222]

My goodness, you seem in fairly good shape.

Left ventricular diastolic dysfunction and left atrial enlargement commonly develops with asthmatics and those with COPD. Keeping your asthma under control is the best you can do for this.

You have a tad of sclerosis. Common. Take long-acting niacin, 1000 mg a day of omega-3 fish oils and pomegranite extract pills.

You have left out much of your medical history. The prescription for antibiotics suggests you had an infection, which could acount for the fluid in the lung.

I see no reason for you to be prescribed steroidal pills (five). Hmmm.

The fluid in your lungs could be due to so-called congestive heart failure and increased venous pre-load, but fluid is common after a long infection.

Since you were not prescribed a diuretic, I suspect your physician concluded it was due to the infection.

Consider getting a low-dose steroidal inhaler and trying foradil (formoterol fumarate) twice a day. Some people have trouble with this. Others swear by it. It is a long acting beta-agonist that will keep your lungs clear.

Next, get a general work-up. Those on long term prednisone sometimes have atrophy of the adrenals which causes fatigue. Get a diabetic screen to include fasting glucose and an hba1c. Sometimes fatigue is due to sugar imbalance.

Then stop worrying and plan a vacation doing whatever you like to do best and enjoy the year. Have fun.

You aren't in any sort of life-threatening situation.

[ed34]

Did you omit anything regarding the mitral valve?

[cinbad49]

I accidentally hit the best answer...I was trying to uncheck it..oops!.....I do not know who gave me the best answer yet...........ed34 has a question and that seems good to me also.........as far as caregiver222....you assumed I have asthma and I have never had it nor did the doctor mention anything about my having it.  I just had a complete blood work done and nothing was mentioned about having a diabetic screen done........should the doctor have suggested that?? Also COPD...no one ever mentioned that....  Before I went to the "urgent care clinic" who did the chest xray..I had not been sick......only the shortness of breath,  and wheezing, nothing else...Now, when I say shortness of breath, I mean I could barely get a breath and at times I thought ok...this is it.........!!!

I have been doing the Niacin for over a year as you suggested, also the fish oil, however, I have not done the pomegranate......I will get some!  Thanks for the suggestion.  I am going to see a cardiologists on Monday and I will ask him about all the things you have mentioned...thank you so much for the info.  

Does anyone else out there have suggestions that I should ask the cardiologist on Monday?  Please advise.