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What Does My Echocardiogram Result Report Indicate?
Question: I just had an echocardiogram done and doctor sent me letter saying she's pleased to let me know my echocardiogram was normal. Everything was normal except "mild left atrial enlargement". "mitral valve appears normal. trace mitral regurgitation" There was also trace tricuspid regurgitation and it was reported that tricuspid valve appeared normal. Also trace pulmonic valve insufficiency. Normal right atrial, normal ventricle, left and right. Re left atrium: LA dimension 3 cm; LA aorta: 1.15; LA systolic pressure: 9.23 mml-lg. I have a longstanding heart murmur, decades old, assessed as benign when first noted. Seems to run in family. I don't think there's any problem there. I am 57 yrs. old. I am concerned about the mild left atrial enlargement. Should I be? And why did the doctor write that she's please to report a normal echocardiogram with that result? Do I need to worry?
I should add that I do not have high blood pressure. If anything, it is on the low side (90 something over 56); and I'm not obese, am overweight: 5 feet tall, 130 lbs with some muscle.
I should add that I do not have high blood pressure. If anything, it is on the low side (90 something over 56); and I'm not obese, am overweight: 5 feet tall, 130 lbs with some muscle.
Brief Answer:
Your left atrial dimension seems to be normal.
Detailed Answer:
Hello Paula!
I understand your concern and would like to explain that your cardiac ultrasound (echocardiogram) results seem to be within normal ranges.
Regarding your trace mitral regurgitation, trace tricuspid regurgitation and trace pulmonic valve insufficiency; there is nothing to worry about, because mild (trace) valve regurgitations are considered normal findings and are frequently encountered in healthy adults.
Your left atrial dimension seems to be normal: the estimated diameter is 3 cm (within normal values).
I don’t see evidence of left atrial enlargement form the echo data you have provided here.
Probably your doctor (or echo technician) has made any additional estimation of LA area or volume.
Nevertheless, I would like to assure you that there is nothing dangerous or serious from your echo report.
So, just relax and don’t worry about!
If you have high blood pressure values, it is advised to check frequently and discuss with your attending doctor the underlying measured values.
An increased and persistent high blood pressure may lead to left ventricle diastolic stiffness and consequently to left atrial enlargement (if high BP is not properly controlled).
I could give a more detailed professional opinion if you could provide me a copy of your echo report.
Please could you upload it here for a second opinion?
Hope to have been helpful to you!
In case of any further uncertainties, feel free to ask me again.
Kind regards,
Dr. Iliri
Your left atrial dimension seems to be normal.
Detailed Answer:
Hello Paula!
I understand your concern and would like to explain that your cardiac ultrasound (echocardiogram) results seem to be within normal ranges.
Regarding your trace mitral regurgitation, trace tricuspid regurgitation and trace pulmonic valve insufficiency; there is nothing to worry about, because mild (trace) valve regurgitations are considered normal findings and are frequently encountered in healthy adults.
Your left atrial dimension seems to be normal: the estimated diameter is 3 cm (within normal values).
I don’t see evidence of left atrial enlargement form the echo data you have provided here.
Probably your doctor (or echo technician) has made any additional estimation of LA area or volume.
Nevertheless, I would like to assure you that there is nothing dangerous or serious from your echo report.
So, just relax and don’t worry about!
If you have high blood pressure values, it is advised to check frequently and discuss with your attending doctor the underlying measured values.
An increased and persistent high blood pressure may lead to left ventricle diastolic stiffness and consequently to left atrial enlargement (if high BP is not properly controlled).
I could give a more detailed professional opinion if you could provide me a copy of your echo report.
Please could you upload it here for a second opinion?
Hope to have been helpful to you!
In case of any further uncertainties, feel free to ask me again.
Kind regards,
Dr. Iliri
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
I hope you received my uploaded report yesterday? You had requested it to offer a more detailed professional opinion. I very much look forward to hearing from you. Also I am scheduled for phone consult with PCP tomorrow.
Brief Answer:
I would explain as follows:
Detailed Answer:
Hello again, dear XXXXXXX
I carefully reviewed your uploaded cardiac ultrasound report.
I hoped that the report would include also left atrial area or volume, but instead it was present only LA diameter.
Though, LA area and volume are much more accurate for evaluation of the real LA dimension, even from the measured LA diameter (30 mm), we could exclude also mild LA enlargement, considering your body surface area (BSA 1.58m2).
Your indexed LA diameter results 18.98 mm/m2 (normal ranges 15 - 23 mm/m2).
So, it is within normal ranges.
In such case you shouldn't worry about that issue.
All your cardiac ECHO parameters are within normal ranges.
Coming to this point, I would just recommend you to relax and enjoy your day, as your heart looks perfectly normal.
Best wishes,
Dr. Iliri
I would explain as follows:
Detailed Answer:
Hello again, dear XXXXXXX
I carefully reviewed your uploaded cardiac ultrasound report.
I hoped that the report would include also left atrial area or volume, but instead it was present only LA diameter.
Though, LA area and volume are much more accurate for evaluation of the real LA dimension, even from the measured LA diameter (30 mm), we could exclude also mild LA enlargement, considering your body surface area (BSA 1.58m2).
Your indexed LA diameter results 18.98 mm/m2 (normal ranges 15 - 23 mm/m2).
So, it is within normal ranges.
In such case you shouldn't worry about that issue.
All your cardiac ECHO parameters are within normal ranges.
Coming to this point, I would just recommend you to relax and enjoy your day, as your heart looks perfectly normal.
Best wishes,
Dr. Iliri
Note: For further queries related to coronary artery disease and prevention, click here.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
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