wondering about test results

[Tina_D]

I recently had an echo done because I was born with a bicuspid aortic valve. The doctor told me that my valves are fine right now, but he said that it looks like I have weak heart muscles. He told me that I would need another test done on my heart muscles because an echo can not tell much about the heart muscles. I have been having heart palpations for the past year now. I did have the holter on for a 24 hour test, and my family doctor said that it turned out fine, but for the 24 hours I did have it on I didn't have any palpations that I know of. My blood pressure has been low now for years. I was wondering what does having weak heart muscles mean? Can it be related to my bicuspid aortic valve or the heart palpations?

[Tina_D]

We are not sure how my mothers father died, where he lived there were no doctors close, it was a remote island. All we do know is that he died in his sleep. The people that lived there at the time think it was his heart, anymore than that I don't know. My mothers mother was born with a bicuspid aortic valve which turned into a leaky valve. On my fathers side I wouldn't be able to tell you the medical term for their heart problems, I never bother to ask( maybe I should). My grandfather on that side also died of a massive heart attack in his early 60's. I'm glad that I helped you also.

[LaRae]

Tina, I'm curious as to know the heart problems your mother's family had?  Did they all have the same symptoms? They were so young. The desease in my family history is dilated cardiomyopathy. My dad was 44 and my brother was 33. Glad to hear your doctor agrees with mine that the MUGA is more accurate than the echo. That's encouraging.

[Tina_D]

Thanks LaRae, no the doctor didn't tell me what the ejection fraction number was, and after he told me I had weak heart muscles,I was to upset to ask. I have a long family history of heart problems. My mothers parents died at 33 and 51 of heart problems and her sister at 44, and 3 of my fathers brothers had heart attacks by 60, so thats all I could think of when the doctor said this to me. It was a MUGA test, that the doctor said I had to have.Thanks cause I was trying to remember the name of the test. My doctor did say that the MUGA was more accurate than the echo.

[LaRae]

Hello again. I am adding this note to my first reply to your post: I'm sorry I do not know if a weak heart muscle would be related to your aortic bicuspid valve. I believe palpitations could be a result of a weak muscle, but then they are so common I wouldn't worry too much before getting your next test done. You should expect answers then. Good luck.

[LaRae]

Weak heart muscle? A weak heart muscle would have an effect on the heart's pumping efficiency. Did your doctor happen to mention what your ejection fraction number is? This is the number that tells what percent of blood your heart is pumping out to the rest of your body. Normal is 55% to 75% although 50% or over is considered OK as long as no obvious problems. You said your doctor said you need another test to the check the strength of your heart muscle. If something different than an echo do you know the name of the test? I recently had two echoes in a row and each said my ejection fraction was 45% and 47%. Then my doctor sent me for a MUGA scan (multi uptake gaited aquisition scan). This is a type of nuclear test for checking the heart function. According to my doctor it is suppose to give a more accurate EF number than an echo. My MUGA reselts said my EF is actually 65% which is in the healthy normal range. This was a relief, but I am currently trying to post a question to the doctors on this site to see what they believe. I went in because I've been having lots of PVCs and some shortness of breath, and I have a family history of heart desease.I was told my pvcs go along with my condition. No serious concern. I just hope it's true the MUGA scan is more accurate in giving an EF number. Good luck to you and try not to worry. I think that only made my PVCs more pronounced for me.