Echo Results

[Lynn8889]

Hi! What a excellent and informative forum you have here, thanks! I am a 34 yr old, white, female, about 5'10, and 112 lbs.
I had an echo done last February and had another echo done 3 weeks ago by another cardiologist.  I have the report on the echo. from Feb. It's states my EF is 55%, normal appearing mitral Valve, no doppler evidence of mitral stenosis, normal left atrial size, normal right heart size and function.  Now, the IMPRESSION reads:
1) Preserved left ventricular systolic function. Overall EF is 55%.
2) Mild to moderate posteriorly directed jet of mitral regurgitation is noticed.
3) Mild tricuspid regurgitation.
4) Mild mitral regurgitation.
5) No signifigant mitral valve prolapse is noticed.
My questions are can you explain to me what all this means.
On the echo in Feb. the cardiologist mentioned nothing about an aorta dilation.  However on my echo 3 weeks ago, this cardiologist stated that my aorta is in normal size range, but it appeared to be larger in one area and he noted on my echo as "Aorta dilation". I had a Cat Scan of the chest done right before this echo to check the aorta and that Cat Scan came back normal.  Why are they doing all these tests.....I had ongoing issues and switched to a new doctor and she is doing her own tests since I had been given the runaround with my other doctor. I believe that they are doing test to cover themselves. I had an angiogram done 2 years ago and it states normal, normal bloodwork and EKG's all normal. I have bouts with tachycardias and I am afraid I am going to die. Can you give me your opinion on all this?

[Cleveland Clinic]

lynn,

thanks for the post.

Generally speaking, I cant imagine that 2 separate physicians are just ordering test to cover themselves unless you are having some specific symptoms that they are concerned about.  Something must have generated a referral to a cardiologist.  

Your echo results sound pretty much in the normal range. The aortic dilitation would have been see on the CT scan if significant. With a normal angiogram and bloodwork, I would not be inclined to do much more from a cardiac standpoint. That said, Im still unclear what generate your referral.

You do need to realize, that subspecialist will see the world through tainted glasses so if you see a cardiologist, you will have a higher likelyhood to have an echo or other cardiac test ordered.

The test you've had really arent the solution to the tachycardia issue. First, you would need to figure out what the tachycardia is.  It may just have simply been related to your thyroid disease and no further workup would be necessary.

Overall, my opinion is you need a good internist to gather together all of your test and sit down and hopefully reassure you that you arent going to die.  

goos luck

[uptowngirl]

Hi Lynn,
I look forward to hearing what the Dr. has to say about the echo.  I will say that you sound very healthy with a weight of 112 and being 5'10"!!  I am 5' 7" and weigh around 120.  Just curious to know: do you exercise alot??  It sounds like you are quite fit,which is always a plus with cardiac issues.
All the Best,
Uptown

[Kristin391]

I am concerned about your weight.  At that height you should weigh more.  I happen to be 5'10" tall and weigh around 150 lbs.  I am always told that I am too thin..by MDs and everyone else. Is there a reason why you are so thin?  Have you had it checked out?

[Lynn8889]

I was just diagnosed about 2 years ago with thyroid disease and have gotten that under control over the past few months. My father is tall and thin as well as his father was.  I have always been told it's our metabolism (my previous doctor was my doctor as well as my dad's doctor). I can eat anything and not gain a pound.  As far as me exercising, I can say I am out of shape, deconditioned I believe is what one cardiologist told me.  I have 3 kids (2 of which are 3yr. old twin boys), as you can see, I rarely have time to exercise. I can say I have been very athletic in high school and beyond.  I developed  thyroid disease (Graves Disease) and was treated with Radioactive Iodine and I have not been the same since. I will be the first to admit I am out of shape and I have horrible diet habits.

[pms_barbie]

5'10 and 112 pounds!  Very fit? I have to agree with kirstin that is a dangerously low weight.  I am 5'8 and weigh 131 lbs  I was down to 117 and I when I stood sideways and stuck out my tounge I looked like a zipper.  Girls you     have to understand that being too thin does not mean your fit.  To be fit you have to be a healty weight among other things to be fit.  Being to thin is as bad for your heart as being overweight.

[Lynn8889]

Trust me......I don't like being 'too' thin just as an overweight person doesn't like being overweight. In case it crossed your minds (and I can understand why it would), I do not have an eating disorder.  Other than eating and not gaining weight. As I stated in my previous post, my father and grandfather are just like that.  I have talked to my doctor about it and as many test I have had, everything has came up perfectly normal. I have also chalked it up to thyroid disorders.  Any advice on what I should do from this point is welcome.......sure I'd love to put on about 20 or 30 pounds :-)

[uptowngirl]

Relax. All I meant to convey (and encourage) is that at least Lynn doesn't have to lose weight, quit smoking, keep an eye on her cholesterol (unless its high), etc. like many of us. In essence, one less thing to worry about. I like to stay on the positive side of things, which I so appreciate from this forum.

[nymomof5]

like lynn, my family is very skinny, although we are not tall but short, petite and skinny.  i was often questioned about whether i had an eating disorder.  i can eat anything and never gain weight.  in fact in college (many years ago) i was actually trying to gain weight.  but my 4 teenage girls and young son are the same way..as is my sister and her family. once when my 3rd daughter was going on a special overnight field trip with school..the teacher wrote on her health form that my daughter was "very skinny" as to imply she was unhealthy or something.  i was offended.  the teacher could not understand that some people just are skinny no matter what and alot of us don't always wish to be so skinny.  its just the way some people are. PS.. my 3rd daughter though is quite extremely skinny....a twig to say the least...lol..but she eats plenty...trust me! good luck lynn and take care!

[Lynn8889]

Doctor:
It's been a long 2 years....right after I had thyroid treatment, I went into severe hypo and around that time I was working and doing heavy lifting....one night I woke up w/ chest discomfort.  Went to Er (when I found out I was severe hypo) and the they admitted me and did echo and thallium stress test. On thallium test, they couldn't tell by the images as they stated I might have had 3 blocked arteries. I was transferred to another hospital and they did an angiogram, which was normal. But by the echo done (before I was transferred), the stated I had cardiomyopathy (an internist who they called in when I was in the ER told me that). I was scared naturally, however the cardiologist disputed that I had cardiomyopathy....he said I didn't.  I was given the run around I felt.  I did have issues of hypotension and lightheadedness almost passing out (along with tachycardias). I still even get lightheaded w/out tachs.  Anyway to make a long story short, I was told I could have autonomic dysfunction.  I have alot of back pain and neck pain and burning like headaches.  and wonder if this has anything to do with my symptoms.  I got this new dr. and told her my symptoms (tachs and sometimes (rare) that I get a sensation of a quick irregular beat).   The tachs. are what scare me.  I was recently on a event monitor and it recorded a resting rate a few times of 158bpm.  I am at a loss here.   I don't know if its cardia or neurological. I do get sob when I try to do something (like push my kid on a bike). Am I just out of shape or what???  I had brain mri and mra as well.  I am just at a loss and want to feel like my normal, athletic self.

[nickppatel]

Can someone please tell me how to post a question? Every single time I've tried to post, I'm told the forum has reached its limit for the day! (Sorry, I didn't mean to interrupt the post...)

[nymomof5]

hi nick..i recognize you from the mvps website. i have posted 2 questions on here.  once i got thru at 10am sharp and the other time it was a little after 8am.  thats eastern time.  just the other day i saw questions posted fairly early in the morning so i would suggest that you keep trying each hour on the hour from maybe 7am till at least 10am eastern time.  i hope you can get thru soon...ellen

[mrbh]

Hi...interesting problems you are having. Two reactions come to mind here.

1) Some kind of autonomic dysfunction is certainly worth looking in to. It could well cause the tach episodes if all the pieces of the case fit.

2) Since you mentioned being tall and quite thin (along with your Dad and others in the family), and the suspected aortic dilation, I'm wondering out loud if you have been worked up for Marfan's Syndrome? Don't be upset because that is not my intention. But it is a valid question to pose to your doctor.

Please keep in mind that I am NOT a doctor or health professional of any kind. Find a doctor you can trust and work with to get some answers.

Best wishes...feel better soon.

[motley]

something else to consider is the possibility of an inherited connective tissue disorder (Marfan, Ehlers-Danlos, as well as others) that have some of the symptoms you describe (tall, thin, tachycardia, lightheadedness with position changes, shortness of breath with activity) Perhaps do an internet search based on symptoms?

[Barbarella]

Dear Lynn,

I had similar results from an echocardiogram.  It said "moderate to severe mitral insufficiency and "borderline concentric left ventricular hypertrophy", the rest was normal.

My cardiologist ordered a TEE test (Transesophageal Echocardiogram, where a tube is inserted down your throat)it showed almost the total opposite. For example the "moderate to severe mitral insufficiency" turned out to be "Mild Mitral Regurgitation".  The "borderline concentric left ventricular hypertrophy" turned out to be "No Significant Hypertrophy of the left Ventricle. All the rest was normal.  No need for a follow up the Cardiologist told me.

I cannot stress enough not to get to upset if an echo or EKG turns out abnormal.  It happened to me both with the echo and the EKG, and I worried myself sick until I got the result of the  TEE test which the Cardiologist gave me and my husband right away after the test.