Hi
My latest echo showed my left and right atrium are severely dilated and I'm worried.
Any one else have this happen and can tell me the treatment and outcome of this .
My afib is now constant and has been since June not one single normal rhythm.
If I google it the outlook is bleak
bhf.org.uk/informationsuppo...
Check the above link from the BHF if you have not seen. Consider posting in the BHF forum (link 2).
Have not yet experienced, but something we all need to be aware of and insure echos are performed as needed. The above article present positive info. Best to You !
I've had a chat with my cardiologist now he said Atrial fibrillation arises from the L atrium which like the R atrium is a very thin walled chamber. When AF occurs and is long standing, the atria enlarge. It always happens.
The enlargement is not "huge" and is an expected accompaniment of AF. I would advise that you do not have to be worried.
If the word severe wasn't used I wouldn't have been worried but i suppose it is what it is AF my demon for life
I’m so glad that they were able to reassure you. I have permanent AFib, and I guess this could be something that will happen over time.
Hi
Just made sure you are CONTROLLED - BP and Pulse. Gumbie-Cat
Cheri JOY. 74. (NZ)
BP is good but pulse not good it's all over the place no matter whst drug I'm on
Hi
Sounds like you need to try CCB carefully.
I started on 180mg (1/2 full) but H/R fell to 51 within 2 hours.
Settled on Diltiazem 120mg AM. (CCB controls Heart Rate - pulse)
Bisoprolol 2.5 PM (BB controls BP - Blood Pressure)
I also have a soft Systollic Heart Murmur.
cheers Joy. 74. (NZ)
I had been on metoprolol 47.5 as well but heart rate went too low so months later metoprolol stopped and just diltiazam now very irregular heart beat all the time cardiologist has stopped diltiazam as well I'm about to try yet another calcium channel blocker
Hi
Oh it sounds as though the Specialists will need to be careful with you.
CCB Diltiazem certainly got me right.
When on Diltiazem did you have a low dose of Bisoprolol.
There are other blockers ... such as ACE which made me cough.
Diltiazem in pocket or are you AF Persistent?
Metropolol gave me pauses. Breathless and slept after any exertion. So banned from my list as well as Ace meds.
Oh dear fingers crossed that they find your personal CONTROLLING AF med.
Let me know as I am interested in your wellbeing.
Is weight OK. Nothing wrong with a waist of 27". And eat healthily.
cheri JOY
I was using diltiazam as a pill in pocket but it caused pauses and low heart rate so I've just been taken off it and about to start on a different CCB I've never been on Bisoprolol because of blocked arteries. I don't have a 27 "waist but am not overweight and eat 90% healthy food no macdonalds etc.
I'm at the point of permanent afib I don't know what the future holds now heart failure has started
Hi
I asked my Heart Cardiologist about heart failure and he said that I didn't have it.
He was surprised that I had no flutters, no palpations or pain. I never had ever. Before the stroke I was worrying and had an unrelaxed heart.
Well, sounds like you are doing the best you can.
Exert carefully your heart, yourself everyday as it helps the heart muscles.
Try and have a superb season. Enjoy it with others.
cheers JOY
Thanks - I’m on Bisoprolol, and they are happy that this is controlling my heart rate. My BP has always been normal - low, so isn’t a worry so far. I’ve been told that if the rate isn’t well controlled then my only option is ‘pace & ablate’. I don’t think that the echo showed any difference in size of the atria at this point, and showed ‘only slightly reduced left ventricular function’.
Crossing fingers that it stays this way though. Feel fairly normal really - slow on hills and stairs.
Sorry - managed to reply in the wrong place!
Hi
OK. They know best.
I am slow walking and asked the cardiologist to walk slower as we walked down the corridor t his room.
Later I told him that I had to stop now and then to regain ? energy I think. Not breathless. Dr said I am waiting for 02 in the bood to catch up.
cheri JOY
That’s it exactly with me too. I get up so many stairs and need to pause, as my legs feel heavy. But not really breathless. Still ok walking on the flat. All of my children who live locally have third floor flats, with no lift. I just take those stairs in bursts and pauses! I would feel reassured if there was a regular echocardiogram, but I’m not sure if that will happen. I suspect it will be only if symptoms suggest the need.
Hi
As I know what breathless was on Metoprolol I know the difference.
I'm no longer an outpatients for cardiology. As he said there are many who need to be seen. So back to the pile. The Dr can re refer me.
I do have my private man who was the rescue to 'rapid' persistent AF.
I asked for an ECHO as its been feb 2021 - October 2023 to have another and I used the then upcoing operation too. ECHO and full blood tests.
The Dr had put routine and the date was after my R Shoulder operation but. I was able to explain tobooking clerk plus the fact that I couldn't drive - in a sling!
As the new eCHO proves that I am now controlled I shouldn't have the 2 checks by nurse anaesthetist and the Anthaestist who last year says "if your heart rate is over 100 the hospital won't do the operation.
I could have an ECHO privately but results go to DR and I would get them from them. Odd I said having paid for it!
The other AFer said she will get an ECHO yearly so I will try with that. Will you?
Controlled from 186 and 156 bpm I am much improved and I have been told to continue to EXERT myself. Just walking up my road to the top is my exercise and of course with JAZ.
Keep in touch. Good that my heart size has reduced tonormal.
Keep well. The sweating and fatigue are gone. But I sleep after time out! No hubby so I will drift off with a book.
cheri JOY
Yes, I am thinking of paying for an echocardiogram if they aren’t offered routinely. I will see what happens during the next year to see if that happens. I’m still with the cardiology clinic for now - only one year since my failed ablation.
I do know that further procedures are not considered worth the risk or likely to work. A cardioversion could mean years on amiodarone and wasn’t advised. Things have settled in many ways, so perhaps the ablation had some effect even though I’m in AFib 100% of the time. I’m on 3.75mg Bisoprolol each day, which doesn’t seem too bad.
Hi
You're on Bisoprolol so we can both prove that it helps in getting rid of the dilation of atrium.
However I got out of him if H/R goes lower than 60 the first move would be to reduce and then stop the Bisoprolol. Um. But last time I left out the Bisoprolol my ECGs were awful. When I stopped the Diltiazem separately ECGs were awful as well.
It's about $350. NZ for an ECHO.
The public one gave a brief summary and I got that copy from my Clinic. Always ask for copies of Specialists to come your way.
We have MANANAGEMYHEALTH so we can look up blood tests and they stay there,
But the clinic letters are put up there, I can't read them, stupid, have to wait to see the dr and ask for a copy. Also they will stay there for 6 months.
I question why, surely if that is the last letter from your Specialist I feel it should stay there and is replaced with another one.
cheri JOY.
So sorry to hear that, I’m sorry I haven’t any wisdom to share as I have no experience of this but sending love and cyber hugs.
Yes, don't Google and don't try to analyze an echo report by yourself, as invariably the report sounds a lot worse than it is. If you haven't already, go over it, line by line, with your cardiologist or EP.
That said, should it be serious, getting back into normal rhythm should become more of a priority, which hopefully will help reverse any damage that might have been caused by being in constant afib.
Jim
Thanks Jim I didn't try and analyse it myself I was sent the report and it said that's what was wrong no other explanation so I googled it and shouldn't have
Hi
Jim the 2 H/Cardiologists aren't concerned as my Persistant AF is no longer Rapid
Gone down from 185 and 156 to 88 - 96. to 60s Day H/Rate.
Also controls BP with Bisoprolol 2.5mg BB at PM
CCB Diltiazem 120mg at PM controls at AM.
cheers JOY. 74. (NZ)
I have that too after 6 years in constant AF and Flutter before AF.
My Cardiologists are not worried at all. Just an Echo once a year they said.
I consulted several Cardiologists and EP's. One EP is a very good one and well known in the
world. Anyway normal sizes are better of course....
I think the link from somebody relates too dilated ventricles that is more serious.
Only had a very quick look.......
I am 48, had AF for 20 years, mostly untreated. At least a decade in persistent AF. I have dilated left atrium.Was about to start heart failure meds...more preventative than anything...mild heart failure, not severe. But now (rather miraculously)I'm in NSR. Went into rhythm by itself whilst I was having a meds break but it was 5 months after ablation number 3 so I guess it might have just been a long blanking period.
Anyway I know it's scary (completely get it) but I got the impression my cardiologist was not as worried about the enlargement as I was and I was still able to have an ablation.
Not sure they'd do that for severe. Mine was moderate. But there will be treatment options I think and it is not as bleak as Google would suggest.
Have you got an appointment to discuss results? If not a call to bhf might be helpful.
Keep us posted.
Take care 🌸
Hi
Just seen my new young H/Specialist who has discharged me out of OUTPATIENTS. He said that my Dr can get back to him if necessary.
I am CONTROLLED on meds.
Were you on Bisoprolol for five years?
Read above Left Atrium Severely Dilation and RV tribuscid (MITRAL VALVE) regurgitating.
Cheri JOY. 74. (NZ)
Hi Fairgo
I have my left atrium SEVERELY dilated. AND RV regurgitating.
Apparently the former can affect the RVentricle.
My locum Dr (who has had AF) says if I take Bisoprolol for 5 years the former diagnosis should disappear. But the new to me, young Heart Specialist says NO.
But I have read that it can disappear.
Do you have fatigue?
What meds are you on? The ECHO shows it? Is your pressure normal and Systollic working OK?
cheri JOY. 74. (NZ)
Hi JoyI'm on 120mg diltiazam and Jardiance for heart failure i cant take Bisoprolol as I have coronary heart disease 2 stents for that. Candesartan for BP statin
I think I was worried that from having severly dilated left atrium it was same on right atrium as well.
I get very breathless and this hot weather we're having isn't helping.
my husbands said left atrium . Is thst the top part of the heart ? His is running at 33% function I try not to read his medical notes to thoroughly as it sends my anxiety sky high
Your husband should ask his cardiologist about Jardiance its a new approach to helping heart failure which might help your husband get that percentage up.
Large Left Atrium Risk
Left Atrium Enlargement
Dilated left atrium and appendage. CT full results. 
Left Atrium Dilation
thrombus in the left atrium.
