Please help interpret echo

[heartpalps]

I had an echo/doppler of my heart because of PVC's and tightness in my chest.  Stress test was fine.  Troponin tests fine.  ECG shows PVC's, and holter showed frequent but not concerning pattern of PVC's.  I apparently wake up in the morning and my heart starts pounding up to 145 bpm or so.  weird.  There's been less noticeable PVC's lately but more chest tightness.  Scary.

Anyway, can someone please decipher what the abbreviations and other info in the results of the echo mean?  Thanks.  I can't find these abbreviations on the web so I don't know what they checked or what they mean.

LVd 49 (<58mm) < - - I'm assuming the amounts in parentheses are acceptable limits?
LVs 28 (<46 mm)
IVS 7 (<12mm)
PW 6 (<12mm)
F.S. 30 (>27%)
LA 25 (<41)
A0 28 (<39)

LV Normal
RV Normal
PA systolic pressure: 33 mmHg (is that ok?)

Valve Assessment:

Mitral:  Structure normal.  Regurgitation Degree:  Trace (is this bad?)
Aortic: Structure normal.  Regurgitation Degree: None
Tricus: Structure normal.  Regurgitation Degree: Physio (does this mean physiological regurgitation which is within the normal functionings of the valve and not a problem?)

Comments:

E/A ratio equals 1.  DT equals 213.  E/E average equals 7. (what the heck do these things mean?  What are "normal"?)

Conclusion:
1.  Normal left ventricular size and systolic function.  No wall motion abnormality is seen.
2.  No significant valvular abnormality is seen.  No pericardial abnormality is seen. (does this mean that SOME valvular abnormality was seen and I might want to watch this or do something about it before it gets to "significant", like the trace mitral valve regurgitation or the physiological regurgitation in the tricuspid.  Are these worrisome features that should be followed up?)

Thanks to anyone who can decipher all these abbreviations and medical info.

I'm still having these really troublesome problems with my heart.  If this Echo didn't show the cause, I wonder if one of those coronary CT angiography scans they have now might potentially show the problem.  It's expensive so if the results of the echo show nothing worse pursuing or if the CCTA wouldn't add anything significant or helpful, I don't want to go for unnecessary procedures.  If the doctors say my heart is fine, at some point I have to believe them in spite of the discomfort and concern I have over my symptoms.  But I just want to make sure I cover my bases and feel comfortable that all information that COULD be obtained to figure it out has been performed, without going overboard.

Thanks to anyone for their info, suggestions or advice.

[heartpalps]

Glad to hear you're doing well yourself.  I guess it's true that WEIRD and BOTHERSOME things CAN happen in the human body and not be an indication of something bad going on.  But with heart disease being the #1 killer, I wanted to be sure there wasn't anything else to check.  It's just hard to believe I'm ok when my heart feels tight or that it's writhing in my chest.

I do trust the doctors.  I guess I really don't want to die of a heart attack and it's such a horrible feeling.  How can it be normal?  How does a person wake up one day and for the rest of time, their heart is writhing and contorting in their chest and there's a huge pressure and tightness there?

It is the most peculiar thing that it's normal.  I'm glad it's normal.  I'd just be more reassured if the symptoms went away I guess.  I have no family history, am very thin, normal cholesterol, normal blood pressure.  So I guess with the normal stress test, holter showing the PVC's but not a worrisome pattern (which apparently is "key"), no troponin levels, and now the echo being good, I can rest a little easier.  I'm not a hypochondriac and I don't WANT something to be wrong, I really just want my heart to function invisibly again.

You've helped me to feel a little better too, Tony.  Thanks!

[toneman76]

You are welcome, I understand what you are going through. I started getting tested almost three years ago for the same symptoms and it took me 2 echos, 2 nuclear stress tests, several blood test and countless EKGs before I could start to believe my doctors. I still get intermittent pains in  my chest and some funny heartbeats, but when it happens I just read the old test results and I start feeling better. I also do something to get them off my mind and it helps. I was told by my cardiologist after this year's cardiac work up in August that I no longer need her and that I should only call her if my symptoms change, other than that no more annual workups and have a good life! I'm a 49 year old male so I'm at that point where the risk goes up and even though my blood pressure & cholesterol are controlled and I have no other real risk factors other than being a little overweight, I still worry from time to time. I make sure to get 45 minutes a day on the treadmill and I figure if I can do that without symptoms the docs must be right! If they felt anything was wrong you would already be scheduled for more procedures, it's their job and reputation that's on the line, you can trust them

Tony

[heartpalps]

Thanks Tony!  It doesn't seem to be related to stress or anxiety and yes, I would have to pay for the CT scan myself.  I would be relieved by the good tests, except that the sensations and tightness in my chest are so scary and really alarm me when they happen...I feel helpless because in spite of all the good test results, it feels like something is VERY wrong with my heart.  Beta blockers do help and are known to help correct arrythmias, but it feels like a bandaid to alleviate the symptoms but not address or help treat or understand what the underlying issue is that's causing it.

Thanks for your explanation of all the numbers too and what they are referring to!

[toneman76]

I'm no doctor, but from my experience your echo results look very good. Yes, the numbers in the parentheses are the normal ranges. These numbers all concern the size of your heart chambers and the walls between them, everything looks good. As far as reguritation, almost every echo will show regurgitation of some amount, trace or physicaligical are well within normal ranges. Also, don't get too hung up by the fact that they state no significant valvular abnormality was seen, that's a good thing. It does not mean they found something and just are not telling you. Did they refer you for any further testing or follow up visits?

If you had a normal stress test result along with these good echo findings, I doubt that your insurance or your doctor would agree to a CT scan. If you are having a heart rate issue you may need to see an EP to see what's going on. Could just be anxiety? Like I said, I'm not a doctor but I have had a few echos and stress tests and in my opinion yours looks good.

Good luck,

Tony