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Worried about Echo and HCM
Hi!
A few months ago I had a 2D guided M-mode echo, because of PVCs (about 200 per day). This echo showed a septal thickness of 13 mm, and a very slightly enlarged left atrium. Everything else normal (posterior wall 9 mm, LVIDd 54 mm). Since I've been worried about HCM, I asked the cardiologist about that, but he just said that he sees a septal thickness of 13 mm in almost half of his patients. He said that depended on where on septum one meassures and discarded the question about HCM.
However, since I was worried, I was scheduled for a second echo, which I did today. This echo showed a normal septal thickness of 10 mm, but still a slightly enlarged left atrium. Posterior wall 9,5 mm and LVEDd 57 mm.
1. Could the first meassure have been a false-meassure, or is it true that septum is 13 mm in nearly half of normal people depending on where one meassures? Sounds strange. I know echocardiography isn't highly accurate but could it differ in 3 mm between meassurements?
2. What are my chances of having HCM? Is there something else I can do to have this issue (which is driving me nuts) finally cleared out?
3. I had an exercise test which was "generally normal" with an excericse capacity of 125 % of normal. Does that add any information?
Best regards,
Noxx, 25 y old male
A few months ago I had a 2D guided M-mode echo, because of PVCs (about 200 per day). This echo showed a septal thickness of 13 mm, and a very slightly enlarged left atrium. Everything else normal (posterior wall 9 mm, LVIDd 54 mm). Since I've been worried about HCM, I asked the cardiologist about that, but he just said that he sees a septal thickness of 13 mm in almost half of his patients. He said that depended on where on septum one meassures and discarded the question about HCM.
However, since I was worried, I was scheduled for a second echo, which I did today. This echo showed a normal septal thickness of 10 mm, but still a slightly enlarged left atrium. Posterior wall 9,5 mm and LVEDd 57 mm.
1. Could the first meassure have been a false-meassure, or is it true that septum is 13 mm in nearly half of normal people depending on where one meassures? Sounds strange. I know echocardiography isn't highly accurate but could it differ in 3 mm between meassurements?
2. What are my chances of having HCM? Is there something else I can do to have this issue (which is driving me nuts) finally cleared out?
3. I had an exercise test which was "generally normal" with an excericse capacity of 125 % of normal. Does that add any information?
Best regards,
Noxx, 25 y old male
Glad to her that.
I've talked to the cardiologist very bried thorugh phone, he said it was "meassured a little bit too far to the left". Could the septum be visualized as thick as 13 mm, even though the real thickness is 10mm? He said they meassured in the parasternal long axis view.
I've talked to the cardiologist very bried thorugh phone, he said it was "meassured a little bit too far to the left". Could the septum be visualized as thick as 13 mm, even though the real thickness is 10mm? He said they meassured in the parasternal long axis view.
I have a similiar problem, On my last echo in July 2005 my septum showed a measurement of 14mm, posterior wall 10mm, aprevious echo in Jan 2001 showed a borderline septum at 12mm and posteroir wall at 9 mm, unless there is family history of HCM and some other distinct functions that a trained cardiologist can easily pick up on I wouldn't worry to much about having HCM. I was assured by my cardiologist that the mild LVH was probably due to mild HTN and was of no concern I was due for an Echo next month but I think I'll have to skip it for another year, my LV(d) is on the smaller side though only 44.1mm but still within the normal limits and an Ef of 55%.my echo in 2001 showed an Ef of 75%, I think they can vary once they are still within the normal limits , its nothing to worry about. I know alot persons diagnosed with LVH and after having repeat echos they all showed normal. Unless your doctor is worried if I were you Iwouldn't be , I stressed about this too long for nothng myself. I'm male 42 years old.Take care.
Hello,
1. Could the first meassure have been a false-meassure, or is it true that septum is 13 mm in nearly half of normal people depending on where one meassures?
The only way to answer the question is to see the tape or recording. It is possible to catch a view in an off angle and incorrectly measure the septum. The distance may very a little depending on where you measure. In general, a septum greater than 12 mm (1.2 cm) is consider abnormal but by no means is equal to a diagnosis of HCM. The most common cause is uncontrolled high blood pressure. If you have a family history of sudden death, hypertrophic cardiomyopathy, or the appropriate physical exam findings of HCM, that would be a different story.
2. What are my chances of having HCM? Is there something else I can do to have this issue (which is driving me nuts) finally cleared out?
Unless you have the above mentioned risk factors, your chance of having HCM are very low. Other things like age or and how often you exercise are important. It is possible to have physiologic hypertrophy with exercise and young person with a septum of 13 is more concerning that a 70 year old with the same finding. It is true that is something to consider in people with hypertrophy, but true severe hypertrophy usually has the physical exam features and the septum is much thicker than 13. You coud always seek a second opinion but there is no definitive test. Nothing that you mentioned speaks to high or even moderate risk.
3. I had an exercise test which was 'generally normal' with an excericse capacity of 125 % of normal.
The typical exercise stress test finding of high risk HCM is a drop in blood pressure with exercise. Otherwise it does not help that much.
It sounds like you need a second opinion for your own peace of mind.
I hope this helps. Thanks for posting.
1. Could the first meassure have been a false-meassure, or is it true that septum is 13 mm in nearly half of normal people depending on where one meassures?
The only way to answer the question is to see the tape or recording. It is possible to catch a view in an off angle and incorrectly measure the septum. The distance may very a little depending on where you measure. In general, a septum greater than 12 mm (1.2 cm) is consider abnormal but by no means is equal to a diagnosis of HCM. The most common cause is uncontrolled high blood pressure. If you have a family history of sudden death, hypertrophic cardiomyopathy, or the appropriate physical exam findings of HCM, that would be a different story.
2. What are my chances of having HCM? Is there something else I can do to have this issue (which is driving me nuts) finally cleared out?
Unless you have the above mentioned risk factors, your chance of having HCM are very low. Other things like age or and how often you exercise are important. It is possible to have physiologic hypertrophy with exercise and young person with a septum of 13 is more concerning that a 70 year old with the same finding. It is true that is something to consider in people with hypertrophy, but true severe hypertrophy usually has the physical exam features and the septum is much thicker than 13. You coud always seek a second opinion but there is no definitive test. Nothing that you mentioned speaks to high or even moderate risk.
3. I had an exercise test which was 'generally normal' with an excericse capacity of 125 % of normal.
The typical exercise stress test finding of high risk HCM is a drop in blood pressure with exercise. Otherwise it does not help that much.
It sounds like you need a second opinion for your own peace of mind.
I hope this helps. Thanks for posting.
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