echocardiogram

[Steph0671]

I have a family history of cardiomyopathy and heart disease. I have been having funny heart flutters and fatigue. My GP sent me off to have an echocardiogram. The results showed sinus arrhythmia, and mitral and aortic annular calcification. I am 39 years old do I need to follow up with the GP or is this an okay result?

[kenkeith]

There may be some confusion regarding arrhythmia.  It is an EKG that monitors electrical impulse activity with each heartbeat.  An echo uses sound waves to view the heart's structure and a doppler software records blood flow through the heart.  It would be this test that may show some calicification of your heart valves.

As Chatter states you are quite young to have any serious calcification of the valves.  Your echo should report whether or not you have valve stenosis (narrowing of opening) and/or the leaflets are stiff and do not close sufficiently enough to prevent blood back flow into the upper chamber from the lower chamber rather than go into circulation.

Annular calcification usually indicates it is the opening that has calcified and causes pressure to increase due to the gradient pressure and stenosis.  It usually is the result of the aging process.  You may want to see your GP to get advice on how to prevent any further calcification, there isn't any therapy unless the valve is severely dysfunctional and then there would be a replacement or repair.

Does you echo indicate any enlarged heart chambers?  Is the amount of blood pumped with each heartbeat normal (ejection fraction [EF], normal is 50% to 70).

Heart flutters would be a separate issue and an EKG could be helpful if there is an episode at the time of the test. It appears the irregularity of the heartbeat is due to a variation in the sinus rhythm.  Origin would be the sinus node (system's pacemaker) in right atrial chamber...again that would not be associated with an echo test but it appears you had an EKG as well.

Thanks for sharing and if you have any further questions or comments you are welcome to respond.  Take care,

Ken

[ChatterAlly]

What degree was the calcification?  I believe this is a normal aging process, but at 39 I wouldn't think they would find any serious degree. This could also indicate some early signs of atherosclerotic disease.  The arrhythmias could make you feel the "fluttering".  Have you followed up with your GP yet? What does your GP tell you?  Have you been referred to a cardiologist?  Sorry, for all the questions.  Are you followng a heart healthy diet and exercise?  I would hope knowing of your family history you would.  Take care, Ally