Help to understand jargon - Dilated aortic root for patients height, mild aortic regurgitation, Mild to moderate triscupid regurgitation

[Thumberlina]

Hi I recently had an echocardiogram because of Asymptomatic murmur, on the referral they noted nil previous cardiac history.

I am 43F and have have had high blood pressure for a number of years now. They have monitored it and have put it down to white coat syndrome, outside of the surgery and when I have it measured on the new machines in the surgery (for the past 3 years) rather than the nurse/doctor then it is always OK. I also regularly have "flutters" they don't last more than a few seconds normally and tend to be in my esophagus area. I suffer with regular pain in my back, a dull ache, in the area slightly left of my right shoulder blade area but no idea if this is at all linked.

My last appointment the doctor found what he thought was a heart murmur so sent me for an echocardiogram. (discovered during my liver review with GP, 2 tumors since been confirmed as benign haemangiomas via MRI/contrast, the one on my left lobe 5.5cm and told these shouldn't be causing any issues). The report has come back stating Dilated aortic root for patients height, mild aortic regurgitation, Mild to moderate triscupid regurgitation. Low probability of pulmonary hypertension. Normal LV systolic function and normal RV function. Recommendations refer to cardiologist regarding further monitoring.

Whilst I don't need someone to diagnose, I would just like to know what I should do as they have not referred me. During the follow up with my GP he played it down. Said it basically means one valve is enlarged and the others are causing a back flow, the cardiologist on the review and book had noted if i have no family history or other past diagnosis (i can't remember the names of them) then there is nothing to worry about and they will do another scan in 2 years.

I would however like to know if a) as I don't believe this is a condition from birth, if I have caused this, is there anything I can do to prevent the mild-moderate to moving to moderate or slowing down what I think they are describing as damage? I'd sooner look at preventing it getting worse than dealing with the results if there was something I could do and didn't. At the start of my liver journey i have cut out almost all alcohol and sugar (haribo was a daily staple) where i can, never really used salt and upped my exercise. 2 stone off already and 3 more to go so i am aware of the healthy changes i can make here. Is there anything I should absolutely avoid?

B) He advised getting a BP monitor and any one of them would do. I looked on the BHF website and there are so many, is there one in particular one should look at.? There is the bog standard, but if spending more should I look at one that say screens for AF as well?

thank you in advance for any help and advice

[Isobel1]

Thumberlina , I don't think there's much to choose between the BP monitors . Just make sure to buy one where the cuff goes round your upper arm.

I think it is a very good idea to monitor your BP , I'm sure it could make a difference to your heart if you can keep it under control . That's my experience anyway. Good luck.

[Vanilla88]

I have a very similar diagnosis myself concerning valve and aortic dilation and like you wish to learn how to manage the condition. I’m very interested in the replies as all I have found is to not do things that can raise blood pressure. It’s suggested to me that mine has occurred from having unmanaged high blood pressure, although there is family history of heart problems.Good luck with it all.

[Barle]

Did your cardiologist or GP set you a BP target to achieve? If not, I suggest you strive to get into the ‘green' zone – ie under 120/80. Healthy diet/appropriate exercise/weight loss/ no alcohol will help you achieve this. If you still can’t get there, discuss BP medication with your GP.

Monitoring your BP at home is really useful. Which? Magazine tested BP monitors and the top 2 were:

Omron Evolv £94 - measures irregular heat beat; requires smartphone app but allows lots of analysis

Boots Upper Arm BP Monitor £20 – amazing value but no irregular heat beat monitoring

Why did the GP recommend a monitor with irregular heat beat monitoring? Do you have AF?

Word of warning: you will find your BP varies day-to-day and within the day, so don’t worry if your latest BP reading is higher than the last – it is the trend that is important. Worrying about your BP readings is a sure way to increase your blood pressure!

[Qualipop in reply to Barle]

Right now I have to check my BP 3 times a day as I've been taken off some tablets and I get 3 totally different readings. I work out a daily average to give to the GP each week. The readings are much lower if I've been sitting relaxing and far higher if I'm tense or anxious or in pain.

[Thumberlina in reply to Barle]

Hi Barle

Thanks, that helps. It was the GP who told me to monitor it based on some advice they got from asking the cardiologist to review the report from the echiocardiogram. They didn’t give me a range just said to monitor it. As you say though I can monitor it all day but what do 8 do with the readings and how do I know if it’s on track?

I can’t recall the high number but 8 am regularly over 80 on the lower one, can’t recall ever being below 80.

I wasn’t necessarily worrying, I was thinking if 8m proactive and realistic then I can manage it before it gets/I make it worse. It was more the fact they said they would monitor it every 2 years but didn’t give me any explanation on the findings to educate me on the why what how or advice to manage it, assuming it isn’t to be just ignored.

They didn’t recommend it for irregular heartbeat, I was looking on the bhf shop and they have a few, I was merely thinking should I get one that does as I wasn’t sure what AF was.I take my resting pulse and it’s generally around 66-75 normally, again not sure if i need to monitor this or if that’s ok. I’m a bit green around the gills to be honest so just looking to educate myself and look after my heart better

[Qualipop]

I have a BP monitor by Omron as that's the make my GP uses. It measures BP and heart rate; has a 30 reading memory and shows a symbol if the heart beat is erratic. This is mine OMRON M2 CLASSIC Intellisense I've had it years. I just check it annually against the one the local chemist has. Take care; the basic model doesn't store more than 1 reading. This one is £37 at argos

[Scottie3 in reply to Qualipop]

Yes this is a very good one.

[Thumberlina in reply to Qualipop]

Perfect. The BHF has that one in stock for £35 with free delivery. I will order that one. I don’t think I need the all singing and dancing one and like you I think my docs uses same one. It says to get it serviced regularly, any idea where would I do that?

[Qualipop in reply to Thumberlina]

Heck no, I've never had mine serviced; wouldn't know where to start but people talk about getting them "calibrated". All I do is take mine to the local chemist once a year. They t ake my BP with theirs then with mine to see if they give the same or very similar readings. All I have to do is remember to change the battery if I start to get silly readings.

[Thumberlina in reply to Thumberlina]

Change of plan, I have just read up on the moron evolv and that may be the bad boy I am looking for. bHF website also got a lot of 8nteresting info and help. Il do some research myself and see how I go.