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Dr. Andrew Rynne
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Dr. Andrew Rynne

Family Physician

Exp 50 years

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What Does This Ultrasound Report Of Heart Mean?

My son is 18 yrs old no history of heart a condition. He recently fainted after a game of football. He has had a ECG that showed something so GP then sent him for an ultrasound of the heart the report said a mild dilated left atrium. I said what did this mean and he said he will have to be fittes for a holter test and see a cardilogist. Can you please tell me what this means as he wants to play football tomorrow. Worried Mum
Thu, 6 Aug 2015
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General & Family Physician 's  Response
Hello. Good day. Thanks for writing to HCM. I am Dr Sarika and I will be answering your query today.
I totally understand how you are feeling. The heart has 4 chambers and the left atrium is the left upper one which receives pure oxygenated blood from the lung. Left atrial enlargement is quite common in atheletes. Infact it is normal for them. The other causes are high BP, valvular problems (which would have been picked up on the ECHO), heart failure (unlilely) and atrial fibrilliation (a rythm disturbance of the heart). In any case, my advise would be to see the cardiologist before letting him play again.
It could be a frank case of vaso vagal syncope which could be related to the exertion of the game that he fainted. You should however do a holter to make sure atrial fibrilliation is not a cause.
Wishing him good health. No matter what is said I am sure as a mother you will find it reassuring only after the entire situation is given a green from the cardiologist. Please try to stay calm. Take care.
Warm regards.
DR Sarika
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What Does This Ultrasound Report Of Heart Mean?

Hello. Good day. Thanks for writing to HCM. I am Dr Sarika and I will be answering your query today. I totally understand how you are feeling. The heart has 4 chambers and the left atrium is the left upper one which receives pure oxygenated blood from the lung. Left atrial enlargement is quite common in atheletes. Infact it is normal for them. The other causes are high BP, valvular problems (which would have been picked up on the ECHO), heart failure (unlilely) and atrial fibrilliation (a rythm disturbance of the heart). In any case, my advise would be to see the cardiologist before letting him play again. It could be a frank case of vaso vagal syncope which could be related to the exertion of the game that he fainted. You should however do a holter to make sure atrial fibrilliation is not a cause. Wishing him good health. No matter what is said I am sure as a mother you will find it reassuring only after the entire situation is given a green from the cardiologist. Please try to stay calm. Take care. Warm regards. DR Sarika