What is Left Atrial Enlargement? How is it related to Hypertropic Cardiomyopathy (HCM) ? What are treatments?

[HCMj]

[Mrs-Gilly]

Hi HCMj

I've just been told I have something similar to this problem and that the couple of bouts of AF I experienced, apparently for the first time, in December were a knock on effect of my left atrium working overtime to get the thickened, less flexible left ventricle to work. I understand this change in the heart's morphology is the result of long term hypertension, and I think it is hypertrophic cardiopathy.

When I asked the cardiologist if we wished I had been treated sooner for high blood pressure, he said the "guidelines" would have been followed. Which leaves me wondering whether the guidelines are adequate! My GP practice had always looked doubtfully at my levels and doubtfully at me with wrinkled brow, but just said things like "We'll have to keep an eye on this". I am very slight, don't smoke, drink moderately, eat sensibly although possibly not enough due to costs, exercise adequately, don't appear to have diabetes and liver and kidney function are OK (right little goodie-two-shoes me!). But I do have a family history of cardiac disease, which they now seem to be acknowledging.

I'm due to have an echocardiogram on Friday so they can have a better idea of what is going on and I will be asking more questions. In case anyone's interested, I am now settled on Warfarin and take Sotolol and Losartan; I have invested in a monitor and as advised, take readings of my BP twice a week (take 3 measurements each time - ignore the first and average out the next two) and having started the Losartan at the beginning of the month, there is already a downward trend. There is an outside chance my heart muscle will recover, but no promises. Fingers crossed.

Meanwhile I think I am experiencing ectopic beats and a feeling of my breath being snatched away which can make me feel nauseous - like being on a big dipper. Some days are better than others. I feel a bit miffed that a diagnosis of simple AF was made initially and it took two wasted months waiting to see the cardiologist to be told that my main problem is actually hypertension. Anyway, hopefully I'm on the right road now.

Best wishes to everyone - thanks for being there.

Mrs Gilly

[HCMj]

Hi Mrs-GILLY

For the first time(probably very foolish of me) I am concerned , I have HCM diagnosed about six years ago. I've had a heart murmur ever since I can remember. As a young child I had Chitenhams Chorea(precurser is Rheumatic Fever) Now my Cardiologist has me scheduled for another Echocardiogram - thoughts are Left Atrial Enlargement(LAE). My other Echos have shown some backflow but my Dr. didn't seem too concerned, so neither was i. But in reading up on this newest development sort of started me thinking. I suppose by reading that people with the combination of "stuff" that I do, have more cardio events and issues with mortality and morbidity (?). .... I'm not sure what that means exactly. ---Too much information is NOT always a good thing. I think it's the fact that clots in the chamber caused by poor circulation can be the culprit to cause stroke/heart attacks frightens me. (My mother suffered for forty yrs after a stroke). I already have an interesting regimen of meds. ... Verapamil, Metoprolol, Lisinopril, Hydrochlorothiazide for the "Ticker", Levothyroxine for Thyroid issues, and Bupropion HCL -- cuz this is all so depressing. I imagine a blood thinner may be added to my cocktail . at least that's what I think. But being around doctors all my life, certainly doesn't make me one. I am tired of being tired though. And this "thing " going on inside my body that shows no outward signs of illness is too frustraiting for words.

At any rate, thank you for allowing me to vent. ---my family doesn't "get it". Be well.

[HCMj in reply to HCMj]

Thank You So, So much. This is the best information anyone has ever given me. I understand what's going on so much better now. thank you.

[excalibur]

Hi. IHad DCM (dilated cardiomyopathy) which may have caused my AF as they are closely connected (one can cause the other). HCM is different from DCM and is a genetic condition which results in diseased heart muscle. There is a lot of information, a downloadable booklet and a DVD on the Cardiomyopathy Association website cardiomyopathy.org. They also have a support helpline that you can call. As far as I understand, HCM can cause AF. Hope the information there helps you

lance

[Mrs-Gilly in reply to excalibur]

Thanks for this website address Lance. I'll check it out.

Mrs G

[excalibur in reply to Mrs-Gilly]

sorry - the website address I gave you was slightly wrong - it should be cardiomyopathy.org/ without the trailing "."

[HCMj in reply to excalibur]

It's all good.... i noticed the "." and got rid of the little guy. and thanks again for the site.

[Mrs-Gilly]

I got to the site OK as well. Very helpful. Just leaves me wondering how much one really wants to know - I've been in blissful ignorance for the last 67 years!

[HCMj in reply to Mrs-Gilly]

I was very excited to finally understand what my Cardiologist was doing. Last Dec when i had that AF episode i didn't even know what it was or if it would happen again. i thought it was a heart attack, but i had no chest pain. I haven't even told my Cardiologist about it yet. I thought i was nuts and he would think of me as someone seeking attention.

I have times when my vision gets blurry, similar to when your eyes cross. i am unable to clear it, it can last from 30 seconds to 15 minutes. Perception is way off, and the only way to see more or less is to cover one eye with my hand. --- when I told my Cardiologist about this he looked at me the same way as a puppy does when they lift their ears and tilt their head. It's very frustrating because what ever i am doing at the time has to come to a stand still until it passes, if it occurs while at work my clients look at me strangely. If it occurs while I'm driving, I've had to pull to the side of the road. I don't know if it is related to this heart stuff, or if it's just stress related. ---- or maybe it's stress related to this heart stuff!!!

---at any rate, i do wonder if at some point my day to day routine will have to change due to health issues.....