ASH

  : I was diagnosed with ASH last year after having an EKG that was abnormal.  I then had a stress echo that I didn't do to well on either.  The cardiologist found some thickening of the wall of my heart.  He then did an angiogram to make sure there was no blockage.  I went for my echo this year and it has changed very little but my mitral valve is leaking mild to moderate.  I have shortness of breath with palpitations that are very disturbing.  My blood pressure is also about 140/98 most of the time; he has started me on verapamil for blood pressure.  I also have hypthyroidism.
  : My mother has mitral valve prolapse and her tricuspid valve leaks also.  I guess what I want to know is: Are the symptoms going to get better; the tiredness, shortness of breath, palpitations; or am I going to live with this the rest of my life?  When I had my EKG my cardiologist told me that by looking at it he would have said I had had a heart attack but that since I was only 42 it had to be something else.  Thank you for your time and sorry my letter is so long.
  : Patti
  

[CCF CARDIO MD APS]

PATTI,
IF BY ASH, YOU MEAN ASYMETRIC SEPTAL HYPERTROPHY (IHSS OR HOCM), I.E.
HYPERTROPHY OF THE VENTRICULAR SEPTUM AND IS AN ENTIRELY DIFFERENT ENTITY
THAN ATRIAL SEPTAL HYPERTROPHY.  PLEASE RESUBMIT WITH SOME VERIFICATION AT YOUR CONVIENCE.