What is normal size?

[Christine]

Hello again. Still searching for answers. My first echo revealed right atrium enlarged and ventricle with regurgtitation and slight left atrium enlargedment. Cardiologist sent me to have pulmonary test since I was last here and another echo. The pulmonary exam shows lungs working only at 77% capacity and blood oxygen at 91%. The second echo I  find out about on Tuesday. Now, I understand so far that it is the heart causing the problems not the lungs. I want to know #1 what is concidered normal size for right and left atriums? I am 225 and 5'7" big boned as my mom would say. I am starting to retain fluid at a much rapid rate now. This is scaring me even more. The cardiologist refused to do my stress test. #2 what is most likely the "cure" for my problem? I also forgot that I had taken phen-phan years ago. Is my only option for treatment surgery? And now a days is there a surgery that is easier then open heart for valve damage? Are my symptoms bad enough to have to do something drastic now or can I go on like this? My symptoms now are shortness of breath with very little exertion, dizzy at times swelling of hands and feet alot more now, chest pains like pulling and throbbing heavy beats at times and also I can't lie down anymore without feeling like someone is sitting on my chest. Please answer as much as possible, it is the not knowing that is killing me. Thank you, Christine
PS I am only 37 by the wayand my echo said size of right atrium was enlarged at 24.00-mm and left was 43.00-mm....how enlarged is that?

[Tim S]

I received my results from an echo that i had on 04/10/00.My doctors nurse gave them to me with no explanation.Im 30yrs old male 5'10 216lbs.I hope someone can ellaborate on these results.here they are word for word-(1)left atrium is enlargedat 4.5cm and right is also enlarged.(2)normal LV systolic function.(3)right ventricular enlargement(4)very mild mitral regurgitation(5)mild tricuspid regurgitation withmildly elevated pulmonary artery systolic pressure of 39mm hg(6)normal aortic valve(7)mild LVE(8)no evidence of intracardiac thrombi or percardial effusion.

[kim]

I am still trying to get answers from my cardiologist, 3 days after giving birth to my second daughter, i had a heart attack, they dxed me with post partum cardiomyopathy...they have since told me that the ejection fraction is back to normal, however, the last echo revealed that the mitral valve is leaking 1+>...i can not get an answer as to what this means, any help would be greatly appreciated...

[Jane]

My daughter, 41/2 had a routine medical exam which indicated she has a heart murmur.  Xray shows enlarged left ventricle.  Dr. has asked for a echocardiagram to be done.  What is this procedure and what are the possible causes for this enlargement of the heart?

[Sherry]

I was just informed by my doctor, that I have a borderline enlarged heart.  He wouldn't tell me anything until all my blood tests are back.  He took a lung breathing test, chest x-rays and an ekg.  What causes an enlarge heart, and what treatments are done.  Also what questions should I ask the doctor when my appointment comes up April 4th?  I don't know what to ask.  Thank you for your time.

Sincerely,

Sherry of California

[Mary]

Dear Dr.  I am new to this forum and was very impressed with the information you have provided to your readers.  I recently received disturbing news regarding my brother's (50 y.o.) diagnosis of cardiomyopathy.  He has not undergone catheterization yet; however, based upon his echo, it appears to be ischemic in nature (clot in left ventrical).  I guess this is a better scenerio than no known etiology. His only reported symptomatology was palpitations.  I am somewhat taken back my the cavalier attitude of his physician and want to know if measures to expedite exploration and treatment should be taken, especially since I have read that sudden death can occur.  His echo was taken several months ago and he was never given information regarding the results. Only after my brother recently called, they asked him to immediately come in for another echo.  The physician told him to start taking ace inhibitors and to return in four weeks.  After research on this topic, I suggested that my brother ask the physician about catheterization, whereupon the physician then agreed. I would appreciate knowing if expediency is necessary in this situation (I already know a new doctor is). Thank you for your time and knowledge!

[ginny]

Dear Robin,
I don't know very much about this syndrome.  But I did some research on the Web for you and recommend the following sites:
http://www.marfan.org/  and
http://www.io.com/~cortese/marfan/ - this site is sponsored by a woman with Marfan's Syndrome.
Also, from the little I read, it is important that your friend be treated/monitored by a physician who is knowledgeable about Marfan and it's heart complications.  As with other types of heart problems requiring surgery, it is now thought to be better to operate before the problem has progressed to require emergency surgery.  And those who have Marfan's should be on cardiac medicines such as beta-blockers, or calcium channel-blockers.  This helps to slow down the progress of the heart complications of this syndrome.  Encourage your friend to be proactive, and seek out the best medical care.  The best place for doctor referrals is the National Marfan Syndrome Organization.(The first URL I listed.)  I will pray for your friend and you.  A good friend is a blessing from God!
Sincerely,
Ginny

[To Ginny]

Ginny,
Thank you so much for the time you spent on this research. At least now i have a place to begin and hopefully direct her in the right direction. I am slowly teaching her to be proactive <g>, as you probably know it is hard to stand firm with dr's and let them know that you are informed (the first time around).
Thank you for the prayers and help, my friends name is Amanda and I know she will appriciate the prayers.
  God bless you and keep you,  Heartful

[thanks Ginny,]

Ginny
I have seen you all over this site and from my own research i can tell you know what you are talking about. Please give no regaurd to the others who discouarge you from your comments. You are right, it is called Marfin's. My e-mail is there, any info you can provide me with will be helpful. I will still try to get the doctors to answer but the likelyhood of being one of the lucky ones to post is dicouraging. Do you know of a site that I can go to to read about this and to find out what the surgery intales?
  ***@****,   God bless, Robin

[ginny]

Dear Septal Defect,
The disease possibilities for your friend are Marfan's Syndrome, or Ehlers Danlos Syndrome Type IV(There are 9 types of Ehlers Danlos and Type IV is related to Vasculitis and rupture of bowel, uterus, and blood vessel.)

[Someone Who Agrees]

Hi Ginny and Heartful9.  Ginny, I agree with Heartful99, with the fact that you have given very many wise answers and been a lot of help to a lot of people on this forum.  The people here are desperate for answers and I am sure that you have been a comfort to many.  Heartful99, I really hope that the Drs. see fit to comment on your post.  Good Luck and God Bless.  Shdyn.

[Septal anursym, please read]

Dear dr. I am writing this on behalf of a good friend of mine, i am so worried about her. She has a atrial/septal anursym( approx size of half dollar). Her cardio has put her on a beta blocker, blood thinner, also imitrex for her headaches and nitro for chest pain. What concerns me the most is that the dr's in this area treat it as if nothing can be done. The wall of the heart is C shaped and will eventually collapse, that is the prognoses they have given her. She is 32yo with 4 children. They suspect that she may have some type of disease (i cant remember the name of it)but it would make a person prone to anursyms, are usually tall and thin and are double jointed (she is all that except has gained weight on beta blocker). Does that sound farmilure to you? Is this condition(anursym) really inoperable? if you cant answer me here my e- mail is: ***@****
thank you so much for any info you can give me and her
I know you say not to post like this but this is life or death and no matter how hard I try, I cant get thru...please anwer this

[CCF CARDIO MD JMF]

An eps study would be important in your case.  This is a procedure similar to a cardiac catheterization that provides an assessment of your hearts electrical patterns.You should discuss the risks and benefits in full detail with your cardiologist.

An ep study may be the only way to fully sort out your problems.  The other test that i might suggest is a tilt test.

[Y2K]

URGENT--19 YEAR OLD MALE NEEDS HELP!!

My question:

I am 6 foot and 140 lbs.  19 year old male.  I am feeling dizzy in college classes.  I am very athletic.  I can bench press around 160 lbs.  I can do around 10-15 pull-ups.  I get rapid-heartbeats from running a mile or baskeball.  Also, from getting into fights.

Recently I've been getting dizzy spells and skipped beats and also some fluttering.  My heart races for a few seconds during the fluttering.  My heart races for about 20-60 minutes during the tachyardia.  I have had the echo(ultra-sound).  And I've worn a God damn event monitor for about 2 months.  Electro-physiologist has recomended an 'EP Study'.  How safe is an EP Study?  Will he be-able to plot the exact part of my heart that is eliciting(triggering) the rapid-heartbeats and the skipped beats? Also what is this Ablation?

Please I am desperate.  I am only 19 and very busy in College.  I can't live with no-pacemaker.  I love to lift weights and play basketball.  But I have been restricted to basketball for a while now(rapid-hearbeats after playing intense basketball).

Please give me some advice.  I am residing in California, USA.

Regards:P2K

[Melissa]

Christine:

I have had two echos in the last few months...  Are you talking about the left artrium?  or the left ventricle?  My report has the normal measurements on it..  The normal range for a right atrium is 3.2 - 4.1 cm.  My measurement was 2.34 cm. on the second echo it didn't give me a measurement but stated it was normal in size.. The left atrium is 2.5 - 4.0 cm...  Mine measured 3.86 cm on the first one and 2.9 cm on the second (a big difference there, which I don't understand) If you are talking about left ventricle the measurements listed on mine were 4.0 - 5.6 cm mine measured 4.36 cm on the first one and 3.7 cm on the second...  If that is the case it don't seem much off then mine...  And they told me my measurements were basically normal...  I hope my information that I have helps...  Hopefully the doctor can clear it up for you...  Good Luck to you!!!

[CCF CARDIO MD JMF]

Dear christine,

You have provided me with only afew essential details that i would need to assist you.  Your heart is enlarged without apparent reason althoughyour pulmonary test are not completely normal.  I would probably recommend pursuing a transesophageal echo to further delineate your heart valves and to more conclusively rule out a shunt in your atrial chambers that might explain your enlarged heart.  Your heart is moderately enlarged and this should be fully evaluated.  

Please provide me with any other details.  

If you would like a second opinion which i believe may be warranted I would contact CCF at the number below and I would suggest Dr. Bill Stewart as an excellent valve and echo specialist.