Re: Want to know more about echocardiogram results; PAC, PAT, PVCs

Posted By leo1917 on April 15, 1999 at 12:20:59
I am a 42-year old female diagnosed with PACs, PATs, and PVCs.  My primary care physician and cardiologist has told me the condition is not serious.  I had a stess test, EKGs, wore a halter monitor and an event monitor for a month.  Last week I had an echocardiogram performed.  I have questions about the results.  My PCP and cariologist told me that I have a slightly enlarged left atrium, and a slight elevation in the pressure of the right pulmonary artery.  They both said that this does not amount to anything.  My PCP told me that because I am a highly stressed, anxious person, that the pressure increase is not a surprise and there's nothing to worry about.  My cardiologist told me that having a slightly enlarged left atrium is OK - that about 20 to 60 % of people have this who have had echocardiograms done.  The cardiologist also said that people who live at higher altitudes (I live in Denver) often have increased pressure in pulmonary arteries, ranging from 25 to 35.  My number was in the middle (I'm assuming about 30).  Both doctors said that the remainder of the results of the echo are very normal and everything looks good.  Both doctors feel that my irregular heartbeats (they are less in frequency now that I am taking Atenolol) are not related to the results of the echo.  I would like your opinion on what I have been told.
Thanks

[Cleveland Clinic, MD]

Posted By CCF CARDIO MD - CRC on April 15, 1999 at 15:17:39

Dear leo1917,
Are you or have you been a smoker by any chance?
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.
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.

[Doren__0]

Posted By Doreen on April 16, 1999 at 16:31:15
In answer to your question, yes I was a smoker but quite several years ago.  The only alergy (allergy) I have is to cats - I get very wheezy around them.  I have had a chronic cough off and on for most of my adult life.  Had a pulmonary function test done - scored very well.  Had a lung scan and lung x-ray done recently, both were fine.  I don't seem to have trouble breathing or with my heart while excercizing.  Any info you can provide my way about those echocardiogram result would be a help.
thanks

[Cleveland Clinic, MD]

Posted By CCF CARDIO MD - CRC on April 16, 1999 at 18:09:20

I tend to agree with your doctors that this is nothing to worry about.  Your PA pressure is only mildly elevated and the echo results are not worrysome.  Are you having symptoms of any sort?
CRC










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Want to know more about echocardiogram results; PAC, PAT, PVCs Doreen 4/16/1999
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Re: Want to know more about echocardiogram results; PAC, PAT, PVCs CCF CARDIO MD - CRC 4/16/1999
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Want to know more about echocardiogram results; PAC, PAT, PVCs Doreen 4/19/1999
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Re: Want to know more about echocardiogram results; PAC, PAT, PVCs CCF CARDIO MD - CRC 4/19/1999
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Want to know more about echocardiogram results; PAC, PAT, PVCs Doreen 4/19/1999
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Re: Want to know more about echocardiogram results; PAC, PAT, PVCs CCF CARDIO MD - CRC 4/20/1999
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Want to know more about echocardiogram results; PAC, PAT, PVCs Doreen 4/19/1999
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Re: Want to know more about echocardiogram results; PAC, PAT, PVCs CCF CARDIO MD -CRC 4/20/1999
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