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What Does My EKG Test Report Indicate?
Question: I recently had an EKG that showed sinus rhythm, low voltage in precordial leads. I have had uncontrolled HTN for at least 3 months. My echo was explained to me that my heart muscle was thickened and stiff. Nuclear stress test was normal . CTA renal arteries normal. When I go on WebMD and mayo clinic and do a search on the echo abnormality it says cardiomyopathy is thick and stiff heart muscle. My doctor didn't say I had this but not sure why. Is that usually means I have this? He says he thinks with inderal and dyazide it will improve. And to repeat echo in 3 months.
Brief Answer:
Thickened walls and stiff heart muscle not always mean cardiomyopathy
Detailed Answer:
Dear Mrs,
Thickened walls and some stiffness are found in majority of patients with hypertension, especially when there is longstanding or uncontrolled hypertension. But it is not obligatory to develop a cardiomyopathy. You should know that only a very few percent of patients with hypertension developed cardiomyopathy. If your doctor didn't tell you about it, it means that you don't have it.
You should start the treatment. It is possible, that during 6 months you will have some improvement in wall thickness and muscle stiffness. Even if there will be no improvement, continuing treatment will prevent the development of cardiomyopathy.
So, don't worry. Just take your medications and follow healthy lifestyle and you will have good results.
Hope I could help you
Wishing you good health
In case of further questions don't hesitate to ask
Regards,
Thickened walls and stiff heart muscle not always mean cardiomyopathy
Detailed Answer:
Dear Mrs,
Thickened walls and some stiffness are found in majority of patients with hypertension, especially when there is longstanding or uncontrolled hypertension. But it is not obligatory to develop a cardiomyopathy. You should know that only a very few percent of patients with hypertension developed cardiomyopathy. If your doctor didn't tell you about it, it means that you don't have it.
You should start the treatment. It is possible, that during 6 months you will have some improvement in wall thickness and muscle stiffness. Even if there will be no improvement, continuing treatment will prevent the development of cardiomyopathy.
So, don't worry. Just take your medications and follow healthy lifestyle and you will have good results.
Hope I could help you
Wishing you good health
In case of further questions don't hesitate to ask
Regards,
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Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
Answered by
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