Aa
cardiomyopathy and valve disease
I am a 49y/o female who has mild aortic and mitral valve regurgitation. I had cardiomyopathy a few years ago. Cause unknown. My most recent echo shows my heart is minimally diliated (LVIDd 5.6 and LVIDs 3.4). I seem to always be at the most outer limits of normal.
1. Could the regurgitating valves be keeping my heart at this size?
2. With both of these valves leaking, over time, does one tend to become worse?
3. My ekg's show a normal rhythm with ST-T wave abnormalities, and a first degree heart block which, I am told, is a physiologic, not pathologic finding, what does that mean? Also the interval it is taking for the electrical impulse to traverse this area, has increased slightly. Could you explain? I am on Altace 10 mg. and Toprol XL 25mg. I have to admit though, that I do not take my meds very often. Thank you. I appreciate the time that you take to answer these questions. I can only imagine how busy you are.
1. Could the regurgitating valves be keeping my heart at this size?
2. With both of these valves leaking, over time, does one tend to become worse?
3. My ekg's show a normal rhythm with ST-T wave abnormalities, and a first degree heart block which, I am told, is a physiologic, not pathologic finding, what does that mean? Also the interval it is taking for the electrical impulse to traverse this area, has increased slightly. Could you explain? I am on Altace 10 mg. and Toprol XL 25mg. I have to admit though, that I do not take my meds very often. Thank you. I appreciate the time that you take to answer these questions. I can only imagine how busy you are.
Dear vanessa,
1. It is unlikely that mild regurgiation would have much effect on the heart size. I suspect this is more likely due to the cardiomyopathy.
2. Again, mild regurgitation does not usually tend to progress. However there is always some possible that it could get worse.
3. Non-specific ST-T wave abnormalities are a common finding and do not necessarily signify coronary artery disease as do some other types of changes in the ST-T wave portion of the ECG. The first degree heart block indicates a slowing of conduction through the AV node (the node between the top and bottom chambers of the heart). The can be some variation in the measurement that would prolong this measurement or it could be progression of the conduction abnormality. I would not call either of these findings normal (physiologic) but they are in general fairly benign (not pathologic). As far as the meds go I would make an effort to remember to take them. It may be that you will be able to get off of them if your condition improves.
We do have a very full workload here at the Cleveland Clinic (100+ hour work weeks sometimes) but the results are very satisfying. Best wishes.
1. It is unlikely that mild regurgiation would have much effect on the heart size. I suspect this is more likely due to the cardiomyopathy.
2. Again, mild regurgitation does not usually tend to progress. However there is always some possible that it could get worse.
3. Non-specific ST-T wave abnormalities are a common finding and do not necessarily signify coronary artery disease as do some other types of changes in the ST-T wave portion of the ECG. The first degree heart block indicates a slowing of conduction through the AV node (the node between the top and bottom chambers of the heart). The can be some variation in the measurement that would prolong this measurement or it could be progression of the conduction abnormality. I would not call either of these findings normal (physiologic) but they are in general fairly benign (not pathologic). As far as the meds go I would make an effort to remember to take them. It may be that you will be able to get off of them if your condition improves.
We do have a very full workload here at the Cleveland Clinic (100+ hour work weeks sometimes) but the results are very satisfying. Best wishes.
Dear Doc,
I was diagnosed with frequent PVC's, sinus arrythmia, ventricular arrythmias. The tech. who did my ultrasound made a comment that concerned me. He was training a new tech and he told him that my " IVS was thickened but no backflow. It might be his age." He made this statement twice. The final report that my doctor reviewed with me revealed a mildly prolapsed mitral valve.( Heart measurements good, Ejection fraction 69%) The doctor said that I had no clinical murmur and that the sensitive ultrasound was able to pick up very small fractions of regurgitation in the MV. Is there an age correlation to thickened IVS like the tech. seemed to imply? My main concern is HCM. I am a 25 yr old male in good health. The only symptoms I get are the palpitations from the skipped beats and weird lung pops whenever I take a deep breath. ( like the alveolar sacs are collapsed and are expanding,(chest X-rays have been clear)). I feel strong as a horse. I little horse anyways. Am I just paranoid?
I was diagnosed with frequent PVC's, sinus arrythmia, ventricular arrythmias. The tech. who did my ultrasound made a comment that concerned me. He was training a new tech and he told him that my " IVS was thickened but no backflow. It might be his age." He made this statement twice. The final report that my doctor reviewed with me revealed a mildly prolapsed mitral valve.( Heart measurements good, Ejection fraction 69%) The doctor said that I had no clinical murmur and that the sensitive ultrasound was able to pick up very small fractions of regurgitation in the MV. Is there an age correlation to thickened IVS like the tech. seemed to imply? My main concern is HCM. I am a 25 yr old male in good health. The only symptoms I get are the palpitations from the skipped beats and weird lung pops whenever I take a deep breath. ( like the alveolar sacs are collapsed and are expanding,(chest X-rays have been clear)). I feel strong as a horse. I little horse anyways. Am I just paranoid?
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