Dr. Chung:
Thank you very much for your response. I was quite distressed when I
last posted and I had quoted my mother's test from Dec last year. The
latest echo test was dated Oct 29 and the impression as follows:
*Normal LV size and function. LA measures normal in size, but visually
appears enlarged. Mild degenerative valvular changes.*
From my own interpretation of the test results I also got the impression
(hoping) that it wasnt really serious and the fact that she was
discharged with no further warning from hospital doctor gave us hope
that as long as her BP was under control she should be fine.
We were shocked and upset that her family doctor was so pessimistic in
the subsequent visit and hinted that my mother's days are numbered. The
doctor never said anything in this concern and suddenly it came to
this. She never referred my mother to a specialist until now, though my
mom has been seeing her regularly for almost 10 years.
Sorry for the rant but we don't know what else to do other than waiting
to see the specialist end of month. My mother still has shortness of
breath but her blood pressure seems fine. The family doctor did not
like the idea of giving my mom oxygen through the nose thinking that she
might depend on it too much. Thanks again for your help and time.
Dr. Andrew B. Chung said:
vivian said:My mother has been feeling really exhausted and shortness of breath in
the last few months and recently was hospitalized dur to fluid in
lungs. Her echo test indicates that:
IMPRESSION:
There is mild degenerative valvular disease. There is hemodynamically
mild aortic, mitral and tricuspid insufficiency. There is normal left
ventricular function. Antibiotic prophylaxis against endocarditis is
indicated.
Could someone please explain to me in simpler language what all these
means?
The echo report describes only mild abnormalities.
Quoted message said:Is her condition serious?
Clinically, yes. Based on the echo impressions, no.
Quoted message said:Is this a congestive heart failure?
Clinically what you describe sounds like congestive heart failure. Because
the echo report reports normal left ventricular function (presumably
systolic), the problem is likely diastolic dysfunction.
Quoted message said:
My mom is 83 and she has been on blood thinner for a year and has high
BP problem. She has difficulty breathing from time to time and is
always tired. Her family doctor seems to think nothing can be done at
this time to improve her condition and that its a matter of time.
Naturally we are very worried. I would appreciate any advice that could
help her to breathe easier. I suggested to give her oxygen through the
nose but her doctor does not think its a good idea.
I suggest a second opinion from a cardiologist.
Humbly,
Andrew
--
Dr. Andrew B. Chung, MD/PhD
Board-Certified Cardiologist
http://www.heartmdphd.com/
