Recent ecg

[LaurenNat1]

Heart wise I only suffer from occasional sinus tachycardia. A recent ecg by paramedics( gallstone problem) showed a possibly enlarged left atrium. Do I need to see my GP about this?

[pip_pip]

You might do. It might be that enlargement which is triggering the tachy.

[LaurenNat1 in reply to pip_pip]

Thank you.

[Hidden]

Yes, if I were you I'd definitely follow up on that with your GP. It bears some further investigation, though that's just my opinion.

[LaurenNat1 in reply to Hidden]

Thank you.

[Autumn_Leaves]

Please don’t worry unduly. Your GP may order an echocardiogram to assess the structure of your heart. Please be assured that many people have this. An enlarged left atrium is typically an adaptation to mitral valve regurgitation which becomes more common with age. Just about everyone will have some degree of valve regurgitation once they reach middle age and beyond. Once this has been identified on echocardiogram, you may be advised to have a repeat echocardiogram every few years to keep an eye on it. Valve problems are only treated once they become severe but it may never come to that. It can cause ectopic beats and in some cases AF—but that may never happen. You may well find that the ECG has merely thrown up an artefact and one ECG can’t be used for a diagnosis. Please don’t worry. You’re not doomed! You can always come back here any time as so many of us have heard those words and understand how daunting it can feel.

[LaurenNat1 in reply to Autumn_Leaves]

Thank you so much for the reassurance. I will show the ecg to my GP. I had a large Pulmonary embolism 11years ago following a hip replacement and this caused SVT which eventually settled to become sinus tachycardia. I am on no medication as it is not severe. Thank you again.

[Ppiman]

Hi there. I believe an ECG can only indicate such things as a possibility so you might well turn out to be absolutely fine. To look further, there would be a need for another test, an ultrasound of the heart called an echo-cardiogram. This enables a doctor to look more accurately at the shape and size of your heart, its valves and the output of each chamber.

I would make an appointment with your GP and ask about the ECG findings and if there’s a need for an echo. If you go down this route, there will likely be quite a delay knowing how the NHS is struggling these days. I have read that an enlarged left atrium is not uncommon as we get older and might be caused by various things including high blood pressure and leaky valves. In one Italian study 14% of people over 50 had this, I read.

Steve

[LaurenNat1 in reply to Ppiman]

Thank you for your reassuring reply. I am 76 years old so am sure my heart will not be perfect. It seems to do the job ok though. Will speak to my GP.

[Ppiman in reply to LaurenNat1]

I expect he’ll say not to worry at all and leave well alone!

Steve

[LaurenNat1 in reply to Ppiman]

I am sure he will!