echo findings

I am a 47 year old female and I am being treated for high blood pressure.  I take Hyzaar 100-25 which I have been taking for about 5 years.  I also take 20 mg. of Lipitor.  On a recent post when I asked for clarification on some things on an echo the dr. replied that these findings suggest high blood pressure. The findings were as follows: 1. both left & right atria appear upper limits of normal size. 2. mild/moderate concentric left ventricular hypertrophy. 3. diminished left ventricular compliance/abnormal relazation/mild diastolic dysfunction. When I do a blood pressure check at home it is almost always normal, but when I go to the dr. my bp goes up.  Anyway, with the suggestion of high blood pressure on echo findings do you think that my blood pressure is not being controlled?  Also, would it be wise for me to try to get the results from my last echo (from 5 yrs. ago) to compare with this one.  Five yrs. ago I was also diagnosed with bicuspid aortic valve, but this new echo states "tricuspid valve appeared to be structurally normal".  Now I am really confused.  I do take antibiotics before dental appts. and I am afraid not to even though this echo showed something different.  I really appreciate all your helpful advice since I am still looking for a new Cardiologist (I had asked one from my previous cardiologist's office to call me to explain these findings, but no one ever did).  At the moment all I have is a family dr. who I will go to for now for bp checks.  Thanks again for your advice.

[Cleveland Clinic]

dmmom,

thanks for the post.

The echo doesnt impact my choice to strictly control blood pressure. It needs to be tightly controlled, period.

You do have changes on the echo suggestive of poorply controlled blood pressure (ie..LVH, diastolic dysfunction) it reaffirms the above statement.  

The tricuspid and aortic valves are completley separate valves.  

Given you echo findings, I suggest you use abulatory monitoring several times a day to make sure your pressures are well contolled at all time.

good luck

[mbimom]

Dmmom misquoted her echo it actually stated "3. aortic valve appeared trileaflet with mild degree of fibrocalcific change and overal well preserved excursion and closure." She was talking about the aortic valve. I too was looking for the answer to this question.

[mbimom]

Dmmom misquoted her echo report it actually said "3. aortic valve appeared trileaflet with mild degree of fibrocalcific change and overal well preserved excursion and closure". I only mention this because I too am wondering what the anser to this question would be. Thank you.

[mbimom]

Sorry for the duplicate it wasn't showing up so I commented again. Oops

[Cleveland Clinic]

mbimom,

It is sometimes difficult to fully see the aortic valve on transthoracic echo.  This may explain the difference. A transesophageal echo would be the way to tell the difference if there was any question.