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What Does This Echocardiogram Report Indicate?
Question: Hello Dr. Saxena,
You were absolutely wonderful with previously answering some questions which I had pertaining to pulmonary hypertension. I had a few echos done back in 2005 through 2008, which showed mildly elevated pressures of 36 mmHg to 41 mmHg. I just had an echo done to monitor the pressure, and I will be attaching a copy of the report.
I am a 49 year old female, in good health, and I walk three miles per day. I do have high blood pressure, for which I take furosemide. I am also currently suffering anxiet, I believe due to per-menopausal hormonal changes.
As you will see from the results of the echo, I was very happy to see that the pulmonary pressure was normal, as were the basic structure and functioning of my heart. I was aware of the mild tricuspid regurgitation and trace to mild mitral regurgitation, which I've had for several years now.
However, the new findings on this echo were: borderline LV hypertrophy, mild aortic sclerosis, and mild aortic regurgitation.
Are those findings anything to be concerned about? I understand that LV hypertrophy is probably caused by my hypertension, which I hope to get further under control with diet and exercise; is that borderline hypertrophy potentially reversiable?
Also, can you tell me more about the aortic value sclerosis and mild regurgitation and whether its relatively common in someone my age? Can that be reversed, or at least the progression stopped?
Thank you so very much for your continued insight!
You were absolutely wonderful with previously answering some questions which I had pertaining to pulmonary hypertension. I had a few echos done back in 2005 through 2008, which showed mildly elevated pressures of 36 mmHg to 41 mmHg. I just had an echo done to monitor the pressure, and I will be attaching a copy of the report.
I am a 49 year old female, in good health, and I walk three miles per day. I do have high blood pressure, for which I take furosemide. I am also currently suffering anxiet, I believe due to per-menopausal hormonal changes.
As you will see from the results of the echo, I was very happy to see that the pulmonary pressure was normal, as were the basic structure and functioning of my heart. I was aware of the mild tricuspid regurgitation and trace to mild mitral regurgitation, which I've had for several years now.
However, the new findings on this echo were: borderline LV hypertrophy, mild aortic sclerosis, and mild aortic regurgitation.
Are those findings anything to be concerned about? I understand that LV hypertrophy is probably caused by my hypertension, which I hope to get further under control with diet and exercise; is that borderline hypertrophy potentially reversiable?
Also, can you tell me more about the aortic value sclerosis and mild regurgitation and whether its relatively common in someone my age? Can that be reversed, or at least the progression stopped?
Thank you so very much for your continued insight!
Brief Answer:
Follow up advice.
Detailed Answer:
Hello dear,
Good to hear from you that you are doing fine.
As per your query answers are-
1)As age progresses calcium begins to deposit on wall of the valves leading to mild stenosis of aortic valve.Clinically it has no significance.
2)Mild LVH is because of hypertension as you already know.
Again it has no clinical significance.
3) Hypertrophy is not reversible however proper control of blood pressure will prevent it from any further increase with time.
4)Mild TR,MR,AS and AR are common above age of 45 years due to calcium deposits and back flow of blood from one chamber to other.But clinically it has no significance.
5) Clinically it has no significance.Hence you need not to worry about it.Just keep your blood pressure in control that the only thing reauired.
Take home message-
Theoretically you can see mild changes in echo but clinically its a normal echo.
Regards.
Follow up advice.
Detailed Answer:
Hello dear,
Good to hear from you that you are doing fine.
As per your query answers are-
1)As age progresses calcium begins to deposit on wall of the valves leading to mild stenosis of aortic valve.Clinically it has no significance.
2)Mild LVH is because of hypertension as you already know.
Again it has no clinical significance.
3) Hypertrophy is not reversible however proper control of blood pressure will prevent it from any further increase with time.
4)Mild TR,MR,AS and AR are common above age of 45 years due to calcium deposits and back flow of blood from one chamber to other.But clinically it has no significance.
5) Clinically it has no significance.Hence you need not to worry about it.Just keep your blood pressure in control that the only thing reauired.
Take home message-
Theoretically you can see mild changes in echo but clinically its a normal echo.
Regards.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Nagamani Ng
Dr. Saxena, I cannot thank you enough for your kind, expert, and reassuring answer. It has meant so very much to me to be able to consult you on the other side of the globe for your expert and reassuring answers.
Please know that you truly make a difference in people's lives by being part of this forum. You are truly a special health care professsional and a special person!
I'm taking these (thankfully mild) changes as a "wake up call" to get more serious about watching my diet, exercise and stress levels.
One last question...my general practitioner said that she would simply send me for follow up echos (probably more for peace of mind) every two to three years...do you feel that's a good plan of action?
Thank you again so very much!!
Please know that you truly make a difference in people's lives by being part of this forum. You are truly a special health care professsional and a special person!
I'm taking these (thankfully mild) changes as a "wake up call" to get more serious about watching my diet, exercise and stress levels.
One last question...my general practitioner said that she would simply send me for follow up echos (probably more for peace of mind) every two to three years...do you feel that's a good plan of action?
Thank you again so very much!!
Brief Answer:
Follow up advice.
Detailed Answer:
Hi again and Thank you so much, dear.
I would suggest you go for 2D echo test every year.
In our country, we follow a protocol of repeating echo once every year to see the progression of the problem.
So my advice is to go for a 2D echo every year.
In wish you a great luck and happy life ahead.
Regards!
Follow up advice.
Detailed Answer:
Hi again and Thank you so much, dear.
I would suggest you go for 2D echo test every year.
In our country, we follow a protocol of repeating echo once every year to see the progression of the problem.
So my advice is to go for a 2D echo every year.
In wish you a great luck and happy life ahead.
Regards!
Note: For further follow up on related General & Family Physician Click here.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Arnab Banerjee
Answered by
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