Enlarged right atrium

[Wendyendy]

What does it mean to have an enlarged right atrium? If anything?

[erijon]

An enlarged right atrium is usually a sign of high blood pressure or episodes of AFIB. Having said that, most doctors don't get too worked up about enlarged atrium sizes on ECHOS as much these days as the information is very subjective. In an ECHO, they take an image that represents a "slice" of each chamber and measure the size. If your heart has a sight variation in orientation, the reading will be overstated. For example, think of a banana, if you cut it on a 45 degree angle it will have a larger size of the "slice" than it would if you cut it at a perfect 90 degree angle. I had the same thing noted on my last ECHO (4.9 when it should be 4.0) yet it was still considered normal. In my case my cardiologist said since I have lost 60 pounds, the oreintation of my heart has most likely changed and the readings are not accurate. The only way to get an 100% sure measurement of an atrium is to measure the volume and that is not done on ECHOS. EKGs can also sometimes indicate enlarged atriums but they are not considered reliable in most cases and ECHOs are required to confirm.

Bottom line, true enlarged atriums are a symptom of another condition like high blood pressure. How did they get a your atrium size?

Jon  

[Wendyendy]

By an ECHO. I have lupus and have been have a lot of problems with chest pains lately. But every test that they have done comes back normal. This is the first one that has come back anything slightly abnormal. It just stated that is was mildly enlarged. I'm not sure of the size.  But I too have lost 92 pounds in the last year. So maybe that could be some of it. My doctor is out of town so I just got a letter. I figured it couldn't be anything to serious. Thank you for your reply.

Wendy

[Wendyendy]

By an ECHO. I have lupus and have been have a lot of problems with chest pains lately. But every test that they have done comes back normal. This is the first one that has come back anything slightly abnormal. It just stated that is was mildly enlarged. I'm not sure of the size.  But I too have lost 92 pounds in the last year. So maybe that could be some of it. My doctor is out of town so I just got a letter. I figured it couldn't be anything to serious. Thank you for your reply.

Wendy

[erijon]

You are welcome and congrats on your weight loss, that would certainly be a possible cause for your findings. I have Rheumatory Arthritis in my ribs and I get chest pain as a result so I also have ECHOs each year just to be safe. If this was the only thing noted on your report, you should be very pleased, that's a good report.

Jon