Dilated ventricle

[Ry21]

I am a 22 year old male 5'10 170 lbs. and physically fit.  My blood pressure is usually 120/80.  About 2 months ago I had an echo done because I was having heart palpitations.  I also had a stress test, blood tests, and an ekg.  Everything showed up normal except that I had a mildly dilated right ventricle.  I had been a pretty heavy drinker like a lot of college students and my cardiologist told me to cut down.  Since then I have cut down on my drinking to where I average only 4-5 drinks a week and I don't experience the palpitations like I did when I was drinking heavily.  Does this mean that my right ventricle is returning to normal size? Additionally on the test my LVEF estimation showed up at 45%.  I have seen some reports saying that this is slightly below a normal reading, and I saw one that listed this as at the botom of the normal range.  Which one is more accurate, and if need be what types of things can I eat and excercises can I do to raise my LVEF?  Will continued moderation of alcohol consupmption also help my LVEF if indeed it is low? Thankyou.

[CCF-M.D.-KE]

Dear Ry21,

Sorry to hear about the abnormality found with your heart. The findings of a dilated right ventricle and an abnormal left ventricle are worrisome. The palpitations you were experiencing may have represented PVCs or episodes of non-sustained ventricular tachycardia (NSVT), which in your set of circumstances is suggestive of increased risk.  The cause of your problem is unclear. I would recommend that you see a cardiologist very soon for further testing in an effort to find a diagnosis. Also, there are certain medications that can increase survival in patients such as your self, namely beta blockers and ACE inhibitors. I hope everything works out well, keep us posted on your cardiology visits.  

Thanks for your question,


CCF-MD-KE

[Linda123]

Hi Ry21
Just a line to say that I have given up on alcohol altogether (reluctantly of course) because it always gives me bad palpitations, generally the next day.  I've decided that drinking alcohol is just not worth it.  What I tend to do if I feel awkward about not drinking, say at a party or something, is to get one glass of wine, pretend to drink it, and have it with me all night.  People generally don't seem to realise that it's that same glass of wine.  This can be quite a handy exercise as it stops one from explaining to wide eyed and generally disbelieving people why you aren't drinking.
Best Wishes, Linda

[hbp702]

STOP ALL DRINKING NOW!

Until and unless cleared by a cardiologist to do so.

An EF of 45% is bad. Normal is 55% and up.

45% is consistent with a weak heart, which is consistent
with alcoholic cardiomyopathy.

I'm not a doctor, but go ask any cardiologist and
she or he will agree with me.

[Richard_W]

I would ask for copies of the complete medical records and read and understand all of the test results.  The EF of 45% is lower than it should be.  It is possible, however to come back up.  I would ask for another echo in a few months to see if there is any improvement.

[Ry21]

Thank you everyone for the advice.  I have passed all my tests including a holter, and stress, so the good news is that when I met with my cardiologist 2 months ago nothing was diagnosed.  I will continue to limit alcohol to very little if any and keep you guys posted come May after my echo.  Thanks again!