i got my echo info on lvh and mildly enarged left atrium

hi again,
i had posted a question earlier and  i thought my exact echo info would be more helpful.

here it goes: left atrium: mildly enlarged, right atrium :normal in size
left ventricle: normal in size. There is normal left ventricle systolic function with an estimated ejection fraction of 60%. There is a borderline mild left ventricular hypertrophy.
Mitral valve:appears structurally normal. trace mitral regurgitation.
tricuspid valve: structurally normal. mild tricuspid regurgitation.
Aortic valve:structurally normal.No aortic insufficincy. No aortic stenosis.
Pulmonic valve;_ was poorly seen.
Aorta: normal in caliber.
Pericardium: Free of pericardial fluid.
additional comments: Tricuspid valve regurgitant velocity is 2.7m/sec,which is a PA systolic pressure at less than 35mmHg.
AORTIC VALVE: 34MM
LEFT ATRIUM: 47MM
LEFT VENTRICULAR: DIASTOLE 50

INTERNAL DIMENSION: SYSTOLE 34
INTERVENTRICULAR SEPTAL THICKNESS: 12
LV POSTERIOR WALL THICKNESS: 12
DOPPLER PULMONARY V:PI PS VELOCITY M/S MMHG
LVOT
AORTICV: AL   AS  PEAK VELOCITY    PW
     MEAN GRAD    PEAK GRAD      MMHG
MITRAL VALVE V: MR  MS  VALVE AREA   CM  MN  GRAD   MMHG
CSA  CM
IMPRESSION:  
1. Conclucion; normal left ventricular systolic function with borderline left ventricular hypertrophy.
2.Mild left atrial enlargement.
3. No significant valvular heart disease.
4. no previous study for comparison.
ANY INPUT ON WHAT ALL THIS MEANS WOULD BE GREAT, MY DOCTOR HAS TOLD ME  THAT I'M FINE AND NOT TO WORRY. MY BP IS GOOD AND CHOLESTEROL IS GOOD ECT.... HE ALSO SAID THAT I CAN CONTINUE EXERCISING AS USUSAL. BUT, WOULDN'T THAT MAKE THE LVH GET WORSE BY MAKING THE HEART WORK HARD LIKE THAT????? A PIECE OF MIND WOULD BE GREAT, MAYBE I COULD ACTUALY GET SOME SLEEP:)

[erijon]

Really not too bad of a report, most everything looks normal. The enlarged left atrium may be correct or incorrect. An echo is not the best test to measure atrial size, a volume test is but is rarely done as it is not normally of any significance. An enlarged LA puts you at risk for AFIB which increases the chance of stroke. The more important thing is to find out what may be causing it, fix the underlying problem and the LA can remodel itself back to it's normal size. The most common cause is high blood pressure.

As for the LVH, it is based on your finding of 1.2cm of you inter ventricular wall thickness. There is some variations by labs, some say it should read 1.1 cm and others say 1.2 cm. In either case, it's very mild and just needs to be checked out every couple of years to see if it's changing. Again, fix the underlying cause and it can go back to normal. High blood pressure or defects of your heart valves (which you don't have)  are examples of issues that can cause this, basically anything that makes the heart work harder. Exercise does not usually cause this condition, it is the result of constant long term increased pressures in the heart, not short term increases in heart rate due to exercise.

The main thing is that you have normal LV systolic function and a good EF%. I would just followup in a year or two to be safe, but overall really pretty good news!

I hope this helps,

Jon