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Dr. Andrew Rynne
MD
Dr. Andrew Rynne

Family Physician

Exp 50 years

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Left Atrial Abnormality, Low Blood Pressure, Heart Pounding, No Chest Pain. EKG Test Done. Cause Of Concern?

For the past 3 years, the EKG done during my annual physical has had a left atrial abnormality. The doctors never seem concerned with it and dont order any follow up testing. I am a 45 yo female, smoker, 5 7, 200 lbs. I am in very good health (surprisingly). All labwork is normal. My blood pressure is low 100/70. During exercise or exertion, my heart feels like its pounding too hard, but I never have chest pains. I have done a lot of research and it seems that this is a common finding for otherwise healthy people. Should I be concerned and follow up with a cardiologist?
posted on Tue, 26 Jun 2012
Twitter Wed, 27 Jun 2012 Answered on
Twitter Fri, 6 Jul 2012 Last reviewed on
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Cardiologist,  's  Response
hi and welcome. well smoking can affect lungs that can cause pulmonary hypertension and thus can cause right atrial abnormaliies , not left.
with left atrial abnormalities suggested by the ekg... the likely cause esp in females is MITRAL VALVE DISEASE but your exertion capacity contradicts it. well if you feel that your exercise capacity is good but is declining then its ideal to get an ECHO of the heart and left atrium can be visualized and assessed.
take care and do get a check from a cardiologist with a repeat ekg .
good luck
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Left Atrial Abnormality, Low Blood Pressure, Heart Pounding, No Chest Pain. EKG Test Done. Cause Of Concern?

hi and welcome. well smoking can affect lungs that can cause pulmonary hypertension and thus can cause right atrial abnormaliies , not left. with left atrial abnormalities suggested by the ekg... the likely cause esp in females is MITRAL VALVE DISEASE but your exertion capacity contradicts it. well if you feel that your exercise capacity is good but is declining then its ideal to get an ECHO of the heart and left atrium can be visualized and assessed. take care and do get a check from a cardiologist with a repeat ekg . good luck