Help interpreting letters: Received two... - British Heart Fou...

British Heart Foundation

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Help interpreting letters

10 Replies

Received two letters recently after having two tests - echocardiogram and 24 hour ECG. I have a telephone appointment with my GP and hope he can clarify, but that’s not for 3 weeks. Can anyone tell me what the letters say, in plain English? Thanks. I take Ranexa, Simvastatin, Monomil, Bisoprolol, aspirin, Ramipril). Will add second image to next post

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10 Replies
MichaelJH profile image
MichaelJHHeart Star

Basically it says not a lot. You have CAD (Coronary Artery Disease) that is treated medically. Are your cholesterol, BP and BMI in range? All this is helped by a sensible diet - the BHF recommends a Mediterranean diet.

The other issue is mild Tricuspid Valve Regurgitation. This is a condition in which the valve between the two right heart chambers (Right Ventricle and Right Atrium) doesn't close properly. The malfunctioning valve allows blood to flow back into your heart's upper right chamber (Right Atrium).

in reply to MichaelJH

Thanks for your reply! Is the TVR something to worry about? Anything to be done about it?No idea about cholesterol - I haven’t seen anyone for tests since I was diagnosed just before Covid started. I have a good diet anyway, and additionally I have lost 1 1/2 stones in the past 18 mths (no alcohol / little sugar / more exercise)- 9 1/2 stones / 5’7” / female / 73.

MichaelJH profile image
MichaelJHHeart Star in reply to

No I think the TVR is nothing to be worried about but should be monitored on a regular basis. Your cardiology team will decide on frequency Ans make a plan of action when/if it becomes moderate severe.

As you are on a statin your cholesterol and liver function should be checked ar least annually.

in reply to MichaelJH

Thanks again for taking the time to reply. I think the check ups would be happening in more normal times, but Covid seems to have delayed these appointments considerably where I am. I’m on a waiting list for a telephone appt with the consultant (approx 2 month wait). If I needed a stent (mentioned initially as 1 artery 80-90% blocked), another wait of 2-3 months). No checks on cholesterol or liver since pre Covid.

Trishe profile image
Trishe

Ekg is a scan of the heart and an ecg is a reading graph of your heart, to see how the rhythm of your heart is working hope that helps.Trish

Milkfairy profile image
MilkfairyHeart Star in reply to Trishe

EKG is the abbreviation used in the US instead of ECG, they mean the same thingElectro cardio gram.

An ultrasound of the heart is an Echocardiogram.

Thanks for your reply.

Alkali_Bee profile image
Alkali_Bee

The letter says your 24hr tape and echo are normal. You do have some furring up of your coronary arteries, which is being treated with medications (rather than stents or bypass surgery).

Thank you. Hope I can continue to avoid surgery / stent!

Exie8 profile image
Exie8

Normal result for both ECG and Echo

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