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Dr. Andrew Rynne
MD
Dr. Andrew Rynne

Family Physician

Exp 50 years

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How Serious Is A Left Atrial Enlargement?

i recently had an EKG that showed nornal sinus rythem a left atrial enlargement borderline ECG then it said inconclusive my doc is sending me for a echocardiagram..what would cause a left atrial enalrgement..i am a young women..40yrs old..just had full blood work done that came back fine..extremely worried.....
posted on Fri, 18 Dec 2009
Twitter Fri, 18 Dec 2009 Answered on
Twitter Sun, 20 Dec 2009 Last reviewed on
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  User's Response
's  Response
Heart is the most hard working organ it never stops beating since it started pumping by the time of our birth. The muscles are very strong too , its very tolerant that's why by the time there's a problem, it sends a signal. Left atrial enlargement has a lot of causes. Like too much blood in the atrium, heart pressures,narrowing of the valves, hardening or stiffness of the heart.Treatment depends on the cause and signs and symptoms. This is a long topic. Don't worry to much. But if you are worried follow your conscience and seek 2nd opinion with the cardiologist. I was a cardiac ICU nurse. When i was in my country i felt palpitation and the Dr. advised an echo cardiogram, because it was free procedure because i work there i did not hesitated. It showed mild mitral regurgitation but did not need treatment. that was 5 years ago. Last year when i was pregnant and since i'm 34 years old i was worried. i was seen by cardiac consultant. But after the echo again,. She said it was nothing. 90% of all patients being having EKG will have that result. I had a very active life but because of that mitral regurgitation, i tried to mellow down. I collapsed twice after exercise before and i always say may be because of my regurgitation but i just worried too much, for the things i should not be worrying. i was worried for 5 years for nothing. That diagnosis ruin my life.
  User's Response
stottie's  Response

Are you saying left atrial enlargement is quite common and nothing to worry about...because i had an ECG last week and the report said normal sinus rhythm and left atrial enlargement
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How Serious Is A Left Atrial Enlargement?

Heart is the most hard working organ it never stops beating since it started pumping by the time of our birth. The muscles are very strong too , its very tolerant that s why by the time there s a problem, it sends a signal. Left atrial enlargement has a lot of causes. Like too much blood in the atrium, heart pressures,narrowing of the valves, hardening or stiffness of the heart.Treatment depends on the cause and signs and symptoms. This is a long topic. Don t worry to much. But if you are worried follow your conscience and seek 2nd opinion with the cardiologist. I was a cardiac ICU nurse. When i was in my country i felt palpitation and the Dr. advised an echo cardiogram, because it was free procedure because i work there i did not hesitated. It showed mild mitral regurgitation but did not need treatment. that was 5 years ago. Last year when i was pregnant and since i m 34 years old i was worried. i was seen by cardiac consultant. But after the echo again,. She said it was nothing. 90% of all patients being having EKG will have that result. I had a very active life but because of that mitral regurgitation, i tried to mellow down. I collapsed twice after exercise before and i always say may be because of my regurgitation but i just worried too much, for the things i should not be worrying. i was worried for 5 years for nothing. That diagnosis ruin my life.