Abnormal ECHO results

I have had over 100 imitrex injections a year for at least 10 years for migraines; worried this could cause problems with my heart along with some fairly regular chest pains I just had an echo with abnormal results. The result letter states:1)  Upper normal LV wall thickness, preserved function with diastolic LV dysfunction (basal septum appears slightly thickened;however, without evidence of LV outflow obstruction).2) Mitral regurgitation with evidence of SAM (systolic anterior motion) observed in the four chamber view only. 3) Pulmonic,tricuspid regurgitation with mildly elevated systolic pressure.
My doctor isn't a cardiologist, he suggests I can wait to see if further symptoms occur or I have three options: 1-go on medication, 2-see a cardiologist, 3-be referred to surgical repair.
What can I do to stop further damage? Should I discontinue the imitrex injections? I am concerned for my childrens heart health, should they have an echo?  ANY advice is greatly appreciated!


This discussion is related to heart murmer/ echocardiogram.

[kenkeith]

QUOTE: "Upper normal LV wall thickness, preserved function with diastolic LV dysfunction (basal septum appears slightly thickened;however, without evidence of LV outflow obstruction".

>>>>>>A thickened heart will impair the filling phase of the heart cycle.  The thickened heart wall does not relax due to stiffness of the wall and less able to expand, also the wall thickness reduces available space....this condition is termed left ventricle diastolic (pumping phase) dysfunction.  Preserved function (systolic, pumping phase) is not impaired.  Septum is the wall that separates the right and left side of the heart, and sometimes when that enlarges that can restrict blood out flow by effecting the output tract...doesn't appear to be a problem.

Quote: "Mitral regurgitation with evidence of SAM (systolic anterior motion) observed in the four chamber view only.

>>>>>>Mitral valve regurgitation indicates there is leakage back into the upper chamber when heart is in the pumping phase.  Mitral valve separates the left upper chamber and the lower pumping chamber (ventricle).  Usually, the degree of regurgitation, if mild there is not medical problem, but if it moderate to severe it can be problematic as less blood is pumped into circulation with each heartbeat. The problem seems to be the anterior leaflet is not properly closing and there is a leakage.

QUOTE: "Pulmonic,tricuspid regurgitation with mildly elevated systolic pressure".

The valve of the right ventricle that should close after the blood from that chamber is pumped to the lungs, doesn't properly close and blood flows back into the ventricle rather than to the lungs.

All the conditions listed can be mild without much of a problem other than watching for any change, or the conditions can be serious.  The chest pains can be a symptom of any one of the 3 conditions or something else.

You may want to contact a cardiologist to assess the heart condtions and treat if necessary.  If the valves are causing the problem, they can be repaired.  If the heart wall is seriously enlarged, that would be worst case scenario.  That condition may not be reversed and the underlying cause can be from medication, alcohol abuse, virus infection, high blood pressure, etc.

Hope this helps give you a perspective, and help communicate with a cardiologist what to do going forward.  You shouldn't wait too long as chest pain related to the heart can damaging to the heart cells and compound the medical problem.  Thanks for the question, and if you have any further questions you are welcome to respond. Take care