left atrial enlargement

[greeneyesmon]

i recently had a EKG that showed the following results:

normal sinus rythem
left atrial enlargement
borderline ECG        inconclusive

my doc is sending me for a echocardiagram....but i am very anxious and worried...how accurate is a EKG.. and can a left atrial enlargement be reversed? how serious is it?

[greeneyesmon]

okay i understand and that makes sense....thank you so much for explaining it to me..i feel a little less worried...i a single mom with a 9 yr old son and i have been so anxiuos and nervous since the EKG its hard to concentrate...but after your reply i feel a little better , ill wait for the echo results i go on tues for the test...Thank You!

[kenkeith]

An EKG is not very good to determine dimensions of heart chambers and heart walls. REQUIRES further testing, and false positives are about 20%. It is better suited for monitoring and recording any irregular heart beats.

Yes, LA enlargement can be reversed depending on the underlying cause.  The echo will provide visability of blood flow through the mitral valve (one-way valve from upper left chamber (atrium) to lower left chamber (ventricle)as well as estimate chamber and wall sizes.

Often there may be some calcification that narrows the valve opening and the gradient will cause some abnormal pressure and the LA will increase. If it is enlarged!!?