Mitral and tricuspid regurgitation

  I recently participated in a weight loss drug study at a university.  I was required to have an echocardiogram at the beginning and at the end of the study, five months apart.  I just received the results by mail.
  The first echo reported mild tricuspid regurgitation with estimated pulmonary arterial systolic pressure of 28 mmHg.  The second echo reported a trivial degree of mitral regurgitation and mild tricuspid regurgitation with estimated pulmonary arterial systolic pressure of 25 mmHg.  Both echos reported ventricular chamber size, wall thickness and wall motion as normal, with no significant pericardial effusion and no evidence of mitral stenosis.  I have experienced palpitations and shortness of breath the last few years, which may be getting worse.  And I smoke.
  Is this a condition I should seek treatment for?  And since I'm trying to lose weight, is it okay to continue exercising (running and free weights)?  Thanks for any information.

[CCF Cardio MD - MTR]

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Dear Sally, thank you for your question.  Your echo results are normal - those findings are normal. The palpitations and shortness of breath should improve if you can stop smoking   I very strongly recommend that you quit smoking.   Smoking is a serious detriment to your health and has no positive qualities, in my opinion.  If you reduce your caloric intake and exercise daily for at least 30 minutes, you should be able to realize a significant weight loss over the course of many months.  Rapid weight loss is usually not successful in the long-term.  Good luck quitting smoking and with the exercise program.  
I hope you find this information useful.  Information provided in the heart forum is for general purposes only.  Only your physician can provide specific diagnoses and therapies. Please feel free to write back with additional questions.  Good luck!
If you would like to make an appointment at the Cleveland Clinic Heart Center, please call 1-800-CCF-CARE or inquire online by using the Heart Center website at www.ccf.org/heartcenter.   The Heart
Center website contains a directory of the cardiology staff that can be used to select the physician best suited to address your cardiac problem.

[ElwandaLucinda]

A related discussion, Biatrial enlargement was started.