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What Does An Enlargement Of Left Ventricle In An EKG Indicate?

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Posted on Fri, 26 Aug 2016
Question: had high bp. was on lisinopril then went off of it for a yr cuz i'm an idiot. went to er in feb cuz i felt anxious and off. bp was 300 over 180. gave me drugs to lower. er doc put me on 10 mg linsopril. went back 3 months later for heart flutters anxiety? bp was 140 something over 100 something. in both er visits, dr said xray and bloodwork fine. 2nd ekg showed tacrcardia. meds bumped up to 3o mg. bp has been perfest. 120 over 83. pcp says on ekg shows slight left ventricle enlargement. my appt is a month out. ive been crying, anxious not eating thinking this is a death sentence. why didn't er dr say hey u have an enlargment?
doctor
Answered by Dr. Ilir Sharka (42 minutes later)
Brief Answer:
My answer as follows:

Detailed Answer:
Hello!

Welcome and thank you for asking on HCM!

Regarding your concern, I would explain that ECG is not the best test for evaluation of left ventricle enlargement.

Some changes in ECG may be indicative of these changes, but you need to perform a cardiac ultrasound to examine better your cardiac structure and function and evaluate all the heart chambers.

I recommend consulting with a cardiologist for this purpose.

Besides, you need to perform further tests to exclude possible secondary metabolic causes of high blood pressure. I would recommend performing:

- thyroid hormone levels for possible thyroid dysfunction
- kidney and liver function tests
- blood electrolytes.

Anxiety seems to play an important role in all this clinical scenario.

Anyway, you should try to relax as ECG findings are not conclusive for any cardiac disorders.

Kind regards,

Dr. Iliri
Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
doctor
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Follow up: Dr. Ilir Sharka (23 hours later)
thank u for response. u mentioned ecg, but it was the ekg i had. *note 1st ekg 3 months prior showed no possible enlargment. important to know that my 2nd trip to er was for an anxious feeling. being 388lbs i walked fast accross parking lot and was on the ekg within 4 min from me walking in the door, therefore my heart racing and pumping like a XXXXXXX rabbit. could that be the possible cause for the possible "enlargment" kidneys and liver fine. i had uncontrolled hypothyroidism. i'm now on meds. had cbc and metabolic panel. everything great. enough iron but pcp says it doesn't attach to cells right or transported right? that part of the cbc was off. forgot what its called. cardio appt is on the 30th and hematology appt on 7th of sept. its my nerves and the uncertinity that is making me come on here and doing hrs of research online to somewhat calm my nerves. lol thank u
doctor
Answered by Dr. Ilir Sharka (7 hours later)
Brief Answer:
I would explain as follows:

Detailed Answer:
Hello again!

Thank you for the additional information.

As, i already explained before, ECG findings are not conclusive for possible ventricular enlargement as it is just an electric study (depending from different factors including the way the electrodes are put on your skin).

A cardiac ultrasound would clarify all this situation, by examining directly the chambers of your heart and rule in/out possible enlargement of the heart chambers.

From the other hand, the fact that you are overweight and suffer from uncontrolled hypothyroidism can lead to several ECG And heart changes.

After your appointment with the cardiologist everything will be more clear.

Anyway, I would not recommend reading all the information you find on the internet as it is non specific and can be misleading, increasing your anxiety.

Dr. Internet is not always the best. We are here to help you with every uncertainty you have.

I would be happy to review all your performed tests.

Best wishes,

Dr. Iliri
Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
doctor
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Follow up: Dr. Ilir Sharka (9 hours later)
got it! :) so any ideas what my pcp meant when my cbc came back that i have enough iron but that its not being carried right or attaching to cells right? is that the tbic part of the test? i think thats what its called. thanks
doctor
Answered by Dr. Ilir Sharka (8 hours later)
Brief Answer:
I would explain as follows:

Detailed Answer:
Hello again!

Regarding Iron, I would explain that Hb levels are indicative if your suffer or not from chronic anemia.

Then, ferritin levels are an indicator of iron deposits.

Transferrin is the main protein in the blood that binds to iron and transports it throughout the body. The amount of transferrin that is available to bind to and transport iron is reflected in measurements of the total iron binding capacity (TIBC), unsaturated iron binding capacity (UIBC), or transferrin saturation.

You should discuss with your doctor on the above issues.

Greetings!

Dr. Iliri

Note: For further queries related to coronary artery disease and prevention, click here.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
doctor
Answered by
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Dr. Ilir Sharka

Cardiologist

Practicing since :2001

Answered : 9545 Questions

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What Does An Enlargement Of Left Ventricle In An EKG Indicate?

Brief Answer: My answer as follows: Detailed Answer: Hello! Welcome and thank you for asking on HCM! Regarding your concern, I would explain that ECG is not the best test for evaluation of left ventricle enlargement. Some changes in ECG may be indicative of these changes, but you need to perform a cardiac ultrasound to examine better your cardiac structure and function and evaluate all the heart chambers. I recommend consulting with a cardiologist for this purpose. Besides, you need to perform further tests to exclude possible secondary metabolic causes of high blood pressure. I would recommend performing: - thyroid hormone levels for possible thyroid dysfunction - kidney and liver function tests - blood electrolytes. Anxiety seems to play an important role in all this clinical scenario. Anyway, you should try to relax as ECG findings are not conclusive for any cardiac disorders. Kind regards, Dr. Iliri