Received cardiac MRI results from nurse... very worried

[JeffBridges]

Hi everyone,

So sorry to come on here in a panic. I'm definitely feeling anxious. So thank you for any info to help carry me until I hear from my electrophysiologist.

Quick backstory:

The past two years I've been having palpitations during exercise - or adrenaline induced palpitations. I had them checked out two years ago - stress echo and stress test etc - and they said all was benign and fine. The heart looked good etc. But I had pvcs and nsvt runs. They said these things wouldn't "harm" me, but would be a nuisance. And they may come and go. They said they could do a catheter ablation to make me more "comfortable" if I wanted, and I decided not to.

Since then, I've been crazy about supplements and exercise etc. Trying my hardest to get rid of them. But they seemed to be getting worse... at times. At other times they were better.

So, finally I decided to go to a new electrophysiologist in my new city (LA) and finally do the ablation. Before the ablation, the doc wanted a stress test and a cardiac mri. I did both on Friday. Surprisingly, I didn't have one palpitation on the stress test and my heart rate got up to 184. Generally the palpitations show up around 140-160 bpm. And are accompanied by chest gas and burping (while running or on stationary bike, or rock climbing or surfing etc).

Have you guys heard of H Pylori?

The only difference between the stress test two years ago and this one - is that I took antibiotics a week ago because I got stitches in my foot (from surfing accident). I've never taken antibiotics before. So I think that maybe they helped kill something in my gut causing the palpitations? I've heard H Pylori can cause bloating and gas and palps. So I got tested when they stitched me up - just for fun (and to try and avoid the ablation).

Well, I got a call back this morning that I was positive for H pylori and that I should start a round of antibiotics for them. I was ecstatic! THIS was the cause of my palpitations! NOT a heart problem! Then, I got a call about the MRI results...

I did the cardiac MRI immediately after the stress test and was in the tube for 1.5 hours.

The nurse called me in the afternoon today to schedule the ablations. I told her that I didn't think I need it, because I got results of a blood test saying I'm positive for H pylori. Then I asked her what the results of the MRI were. She didn't know, so she pulled them up and scanned them while I was on the phone. She said "These aren't totally normal". And then said the notes were "Lower right ventricle borderline low mildly reduced".

That's it. I asked her what I do with that and she said I had to talk to the doctor. I asked why they called to schedule an ablation and if an ablation would fix that and she said talk to the doc. I asked if I was going to drop dead, can I exercise etc and she said talk to the doc. I asked where he was and she said he was on vacation. I asked if he had seen the results and ordered the ablation and she said she didn't know etc. She was going to email him to call me today but I haven't heard from him.

I've googled those words (lower right ventricle borderline low mildly reduced) a bunch and get a lot of results about heart failure, CAD etc. I am so so worried.

My lifestyle is extreme. Surfing, rock climbing, I'm an ex park ranger in Yosemite etc. I am 38 years old and in good shape. A vegetarian. Resting HR of 44. I do have anxiety problems though. Also, I wake up gasping sometimes when anxious....

Could the ventricle be reduced because of athlete's heart? Or because I had just gotten out of the stress test with a high HR? How come my echo two years ago didn't show any ventricle issues? Could this have popped up in the last two years? Or did I have a heart attack and not know it?

Can anyone help me with what those words mean tonight? Thank you so much, in advance, I truly appreciate communities like this.

[ed34]

I'm not sure what they mean by "Lower right ventricle borderline low mildly reduced" ? Are they aware you have an athletes heart? If it's mild then it's not serious at the moment. I doubt if it's CAD but you need what the term means to be clarified. I would give them a phone call back and ask. If you don't get any joy, make an appointment with a different cardio to discuss it. I would also be very careful about ablation, many problems can occur with them.

[JeffBridges]

Thanks guys. I still haven't been able to get this doctor to call me back. It's incredible. Is that generally a bad sign or a good sign? The past few days I've gone over so many scenarios... I'm living in limbo.

I haven't talked to my parents or girlfriend or anyone about this. I am so scared I am going to lose hiking, climbing and surfing from my life at a young age. Argh.

I have always been told I have an "athlete's heart" and super slow resting HR. My recovery after exercise is amazing.. I drop 80 beats in the first minute after exercise. How could I have this issue in my lower right ventricle? Borderline low. Moderately reduced. These words are haunting me.

I am scared to go to the gym or do anything and I feel insane for not exercising for three days now. I just don't know what to do. The nurse keeps saying he will call me and that she is aware that I am anxious etc, but he still isn't calling me. I can't even eat or sleep etc....

[tacolino]

Al Dente is spot on. Slow down and take a minute. The problem to start with is in the first line of your history above. Panic. . . Anxious . .  that's where your coming from. Googling things can be good and bad. My advice is go see the cardiologist. HE is the heart expert. Keep us posted

[Al Dente]

You've received a lot of information recently.  With H.Pylori you're usually treated with a PPI like Aciphex or Protonix, plus a course of antibiotics.  I would not tie "skips" PVC/PAC's exclusively to H.Pylori.  I've dealt with PVCs and PACs since I was a kid that were often, painful, and they were significant enough to have a dual-chamber pacemaker implanted for a few reasons.  I was very athletic, and I had syncopal (fainting) when I exercised hard.  Very complex problem.

Firstly, you need to have a clear treatment plan for the H.Pylori.  The anti-biotic could cause a rhythm issue to a degree.  2nd, you need to meet with this EP to give you the details and explain the results of the MRI.  There's a reason why an ablation was suggested--make them explain why.  There are many variables with familial genetics, and all of this needs to be discussed with your family doc, EP, and Gastroenterologist.  You need someone to explain the results.  Unless you know your cardiology, you can google your way into every problem on the face of the earth.  What you're finding is information on the web most likely associated with heart failure.  You can research into problems that you don't have.  Please slow down.

All of this may not apply to you.  Get an appointment and get a pro to discuss with you as soon as you can.  Your familial genetic surely can plan a role.  If you're very athletic, it's doubtful the a ventricle, in this case the Left ventricle is small as in athletes or anyone that exercises frequently and vigor the ventricles would enlarge.  Anything is possible, however.  If you've had frequent check-ups and had lab work that gave you your lipid profile (cholesterol), this can be helpful.

Get information.  Talk to the docs.  Heavy exercise and supplements (ingratiates are always a question) could make issues worse.  For you to have an ablation to begin with suggests a rhythm issue they feel they can correct.  PVCs and PACs are uncomfortable and scary.  However how the present and when suggests what's going on.

Again, get the facts.  Early heart disease in a first line parent always will trigger questions.  Find out what's going on before assuming a worst case scenario.  Good luck!

[JeffBridges]

Anybody have a comment? I forgot to mention that my dad had a quintuple bypass surgery when he was 58. So I have that family history... is there any chance that this is what that is?

Not sure how I'm going to sleep tonight....

Really appreciate any insight.