EKG I had today indicates an enlarged left atrium

[luvwinnie]

Well, that was a shock! I went to cardio for a long overdue check up and to schedule my usual echo (I have a mitral valve prolapse, which did show mild thickening at my last check up)...we won't know what is going on until my echo on the 18th. UGH. I hate waiting! He seemed concerned when I said my asthma had worsened about 6 mths ago...said uncontrolled asthma could be straining my heart, OR I think he was saying (I fully admit my mind was racing at this point) maybe it wasn't my asthma but symptoms of what is going on with my heart mimicking asthma...

 

[Christine]

Gosh, don't you hate the waiting. That's the worst part.

I hope you get some answers though. It definitely could be either/or: the asthma straining the heart or the heart causing asthma symptoms.

 

[luvwinnie]

Thanks! And my dog is having surgery next week...so the stress will really be piling on.

 

[minniebeth]

Hang in there, waiting is definately the hardest part. I hope that things go well, please give an update...

 

[Micca]

OK luvwinnie first the sincere part: The upside is that you & the docs are on the case! That is GOOD because you know that prevention and getting ahead of the problem is definitely to your advantage.

Now the silly part: Large atriums look nice with lot of plants. What type are you getting?

 

[luvwinnie]

Thank you, Minniebeth! Oh, Micca, I wish I had that type! too funny!

 

[3prettyprincesses]

Are you having any symptoms related to your heart? It sounds like it was a surprise finding on your ekg. When you had your mitral valve echo last time, what did they say was slightly thickened, the valve?

That IS annoying that you have to wait till the 18th. But the flip side is that if it were truly serious, then you probably would've had one right away. A year and half ago I went to my cardiologist because my tachycardia was getting bad again. I told her it made me feel short of breath, etc. and she did an ekg and an echo right there in her office! They don't mess around with something that could be serious. So your cardiologist must not think it's too awful. Try to relax and focus on something else. Easier said then done, right? Hope it turns out to be nothing to worry about!

 

[luvwinnie]

Well, I have had shortness of breath since JUne, which we've been assuming is from my asthma...I guess the echo will say if I'm right. AFTER I got home I thought about the minor feelings of dizziness I've had too.