Echo results

[stryped]

In 2004 I had an echocardiogram. It said the following:

LVd = 4.9 s 3.2 cm
IVSd = .9 s 1.3 cm
PWd = 1 s 1.5 cm

estimated LVEF = 657?


Under a "Doppler' section, it was blank. Does this mean I did not have a Dppler ultrasound and would that be a problem?
Can an ech change alot in 4 years? I was being seen for SVT's. They told me everything was fine. Since that tiem I have been doing some strenous exercise where I really get my heart up and wondered if my echo could have changed drastically since 2004.

What made me wonder is my younger brother (33) has been having blood pressure problems. He went in for a work up. They said he had slightly thicker heart than normal. He thought this was due to his muscular stature and/or his recently being diagnosed hypothyroid. Also, his ekg said "atrial abnormality". The cardiologist thought this was igsignificant. (Not sure why).

It just gets you to thinking. My echo in 2004 was normal. I had a chest xray last spring that said "silloet not enlarged". Had a notmal egk and holter a month ago.

I have been reading about cardiomyopothy being hereditary and it scared me a little. They did not say my brother had that, just "a slightly thicker heart".

Thanks for any advice!

[stryped]

I really appreciate it. I am going to run that half marathon. I do have a doctors appointment before just to be sure.

By the way, I dont think I had a doppler echo. The doc said since it has been 4 years he might do another echo.

[EchoJames]

I wish this forum had an edit button


LVd = 4.9 s 3.2 cm
IVSd = .9 s 1.3 cm
PWd = 1 s 1.5 cm

estimated LVEF = 657?

LVid normally depending on the machine is normally under 5.6 cm. Yours is 4.9. The left venticular measuren in SYSTOLE, hence the s, is 3.2. Again normal.

The intraventricular septum at rest is NORMAl at 9mm or .9 cm. Again normal at 13 mm in systole (the time the heart is most thickened during its squeezing process).
Same with the posterior wall measurements.

I caution those who give advice that this is abnormal in this thread after re-reading it. These are flat normal results and you just told someone that it was abnormal. SHame on you!

[EchoJames]

Hi, your results are normal. Actually more normal than mine. What it appears you typed is that your is 9mm at rest and thickens to 13 mm.
Normal. *yawn*

Your ejection fraction is normal (although it is a joke to calculate ejection fractions if you knew what it entailed).

The doppler study was probably admitted if it was visually normal as is the practice of many clinics now who do not give unneeded information. (It has happened due to squaring of numbers in calculations, the people have gone unnecessarily into the cath lab for aortic stenosis when it was errant)

So omit and only bring attention to issues to avoid that in some labs. Other labs mearuere everything. Pick your philosophy, but with what you just stated. Your normal wall thickness is enviable *jealous* and your heart is fine.
Now go away dork and stop worrying!

[stryped]

SO since a recent EKG and holter monitor were normal, I dont have an enlarged heart? My family doctor did them (not a cardiologist). He said running was fine. I just wondered if those old echo numbers of mine were extremely out of range.

[kenkeith]

Yes, an EKG can determine heart muscle damage, wall thickness, scar tissue from a previous heart attack, etc.  The conditions would have more resistence to an electrical signal and as a result will increase amplitude (vertical axis) and time in msec on the horizontal axis and displayed as an EKG trace.  I believe that would be the QRS complex.

Your doctor should provide counsel regarding the safety of any activities.  

[stryped]

Thanks. What would indicate an enlarged heart or cardiomyopathy. I also found this article that sounded interesting: www.medterms.com/script/main/art.asp?articlekey=7845

It says: "Measurement of the thickness of the left ventricle wall can predict who is at risk for HMC. Persons with a maximum thickness less than three quarters of an inch (19 mm) are virtually free of risk for fatal cardiac arrest over the next 20 years whereas those with a wall thickness more than 1.2 inches (30mm) have a 40% chance of fatal cardiac arrest during that time period.

How do I determine based on my ech results the thickness of my left ventricle? If It is over 30 mm, should I seriously consider stop running half marathons or running altogther?

Does an EKG show cardiomyopothy? I had a normal ekg a few months ago.

[kenkeith]

The wall dimensions you listed and what I responded to exceed the normal or expected range, however, the doctor stated everything was normal.  The inconsistency can be due to the wall sizes are normal for you...that's a doctor's call.  Or the doctor may be factoring in a margin of error and without further evidence the wall size is considered normal.

I have viewed several sources for dimensions (echo M-Mode) and there are variations to what is normal by a slight margin.  That could also be an explanation.  Your EF is good and that would indicate a normal functioning heart.  Your current wall dimensions should compared to past tests or future tests to determine trend (if any) and what is normal for you.

[stryped]

I thought you said my IVSd and PWd were too "big" for normal.

I am worried about all the running I do and possibly dropping over from an enlarged aeart or cardiomyopothy or something. Did I not understand what you were sayign right?

Again, I appreciate your help!

[kenkeith]

If you were told everything is normal, there shouldn't be anything significant for concern.  There isn't anything read from your prior posts that are inconsitant with that opinion.

[stryped]

I have no real symptoms so should I not worry about this? They told me everythign was normal?

[kenkeith]

Apparently, the "7" included with LVED is probably the percentage sign so 65% is normal.

If IVSd is currently at 1.3 cm that exceeds normal range of wall thickness.  If PWd is currently at 1.5 cm, that exceeds the normal range of heart wall thickness.

The oversized walls diminishes filling space of the chamber (diastolic phase).  The thickness of the walls interfers with normal relaxation compromising filling (diastolic phase).  The pumping phase (systolic) is not affected and contraction function (EF) is normal.  The condition is referred to as diastolic dysfuntion....worst case scenario.

The wall sizes is not normal for average, but it is an estimate so if it is a medical problem depends on circumstances such as the underlying cause for the the wall thickness.  Or the wall thickness may be normal for you so it requires prior knowledge of wall thickness and whether or not there is any progression and symptoms or other signs.

[stryped]

Oh, So everything is normal except for that. I am guessing it is 65% whitch is normal. It was a little hard to read, that is why I put the question mark.

[kenkeith]

LVEF (normal is 55 to 75%)  The mistake is 657!   EKG tracks electrical conduction that establishes a rhythm for the heart rate and will recognize any abnormality and irregular heartbeats.  It also has the ability to recognize abnormal heart wall and chamber size...but an echo is better as it calculates the dimensions.

[stryped]

Where is the typing mistake? Is my test actually abnormal? So cardomyopothy is not possible becasue of the normal ech, right?

The atrial abnormality was for my brother and was on an ekg. I think he has his valves reverseed or something becaus ehe always shows an weird ekg.

[kenkeith]

LVd---Left ventricle dimension (3.5-5.7 cm...normal)
IVSd---intraventricular septal thickness (0.6-1.1)
PWD---left ventricle posterior wall  (0.6-1.1)

There appears to be a typing mistake as left ventricle ejection fraction is normal at a range of 55 to 75%.  The percent represents the amount of blood pumped out into circulation with each stroke..

The doppler is a separate test that color codes the blood flow through the heart and the focus would be on the valves for any stneosis or regurgitation.

Yes, echo results can change and metrics are estimates.  Atrial abnormality...need more information.  It can be size or rhythm, conduction significance or no significance.

There is ideopathic cardiomyopathy (cause unknown) that may have a heredity component or the dimensions may be the normal size for the individual.