Can anyone tell me what "some hypokinesis of the anterior septum" means?
This is noted in a letter to me following my 13 year old son's echo. It says his overall systolic function is normal but his basal segment is noted to be hypokinetic.
I've tried google and it terrifies me as comes up with heart failure. They don't seem to be worrying as aren't doing anything about it and he'll be seen again next year. He has yearly screening.
Can anyone shed light on this? What does it mean? I can't sop worrying.
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JoW2023
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Thank you for your answer. When I googled it, it was coming up with Global Hypokinesis or LV etc. Nothing about the anterior septum so I can't find anything about it.
The doctor did say the overall function is good, I think. It's a bit of a blur. She said they'd repeat the tests every year to check for any changes. I just can't stop worrying about him.
Surely if it was significant, they'd do something now rather than wait?
No, he's not on any medication. He has first degree heart block and partial right brundle branch block. I had him tested when I found out his Dad has an inherited condition and found my son does have the same defected gene. He has no symptoms and if it wasn't for this yearly screening, we wouldn't know there was any issues. It seems that every year the test shows something else. It's always described as 'minor' and just to be monitored but the worry I feel is immense.
Ok, so the fact they're not concerned means it's not an issue, if there was any concern he would be on medication to help improve his heart function, obviously it doesn't need any improvement at the moment & may never need any. When the medical team say something is 'minor' they really do means it's minor, it's not impacting him in any way &, quite likely never will. To put it in context ' if he didn't have yearly tests then you wouldn't know about it'. The yearly tests are there to pick up any issues as early as possible, should any problems arise.
Your son is being very well looked after. My friends son was born with a congenital heart condition, he had to have a major operation within 24hrs of birth. He had 6 monthly appts with great Ormond street hospital until he reached 18yo, he now has annual check ups at the local hospital. I can't remember his exact age but it's 30'/40's. Only in the last couple of years has he started taking a low dose of ramapril.
Of course you worry.
But first STOP Googling!! We've all done it and read such dire warnings, but Google doesn't know your sons history, his health, his capabilities, or even his age! Google told me my husband had a lifespan of 5 years with his heart failure, those 5 years were up about about 8-10 years ago!!
Things will get easier as the years go on but meanwhile you'll likely to make yourself ill with your anxiety which won't help you, your husband or you son. Perhaps it would be a good idea to ask your GP for counselling to help you cope better.
I google to try to find success stories to ease my mind but google seems to like worst case scenario! I know I need to stop but it's almost compulsive.
I'm not religious in the slightest but every day I pray to someone for him to be ok and not have these issues progress in the future. I know the screening is a good thing and they'll be monitoring any changes to make sure he gets treatment straight away, if he needs it.
It sounds like your friends son is doing really well. I can only imagine the stress and worry his family went through all those years.
How is your husband? It sounds like he's doing amazingly too.
I probably do need to see the GP but can't quite bring myself to make the appointment 😢
Googling can be compulsive, but only if you let it become so.
It's sounds a bit harsh but only you can help you. You really do need to make that phone call to your GP! Whilst you think you're keeping your anxiety from your son I can guarantee you probably aren't! Our loved ones pick up on these things very easily.
I agree that if it were significant it is likely that action would be taken - it is normal to worry about your children, but that is something you have to learn to deal with so that your worrying does not impact badly on their lives
That's what I'm struggling with at the moment. I'm worrying constantly and it's at the forefront of my mind. I'm really struggling to focus on anything else or feel happy about anything with this constant worry. I really try not to let my son know I worry so much. Whilst I think he worries now and again, it's not something that bothers him on a day to day basis, which is great.
I've been googling over and over all of the things in the letter and it's not really helping.
if i were you i would stop googling and focus on some relaxation techniques - you son (and the rest of your family) need you in the here and now - my husband tought me that i can't change a situation by worrying about it, if i can't do anything to change it i have to move on to something i can do
i suggest that you sort out your worry habit before it takes over your life completely - i'm afraid that something you need to get help with elsewhere though
Ask the cardiologist if the incomplete RBBB can cause some wall motion abnormality due to the delay in electrical activation. This wouldn't necessarily be a serious issue as opposed to some damage of the septum. This could give you peace of mind.
I didn't know that was a possibility. Thank you. I asked so many questions at the appointment but now the letter has arrived and there's more technical wording on it, it's worried me. They picked up the partial RBBB a few years ago but always brush it off as nothing to worry about. I asked at the latest appointment about it and the Dr just pointed to the bumps on the ecg reading and said oh it''s just that.
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