I recently had a echocardiogram,it showedMild to moderate AR, dilated Aorta 3.7 and dilated left atrium. This came as a bolt out of the blue, been a runner all my life, good diet, healthy weight and normal BP. I'm 60 male.
I've heard of a condition called. Athletes heart ,has anyone else had a similar diagnosis as
it's scared the hell out of me. Not sure where to go next , private Check up to confirm the diagnosis.? Check up in 2 years.
I've just turned 51. Spent my years kite-surfing, mountain biking, running, climbing and more. Heart attack in December 2024. Tests revealed that I have a bicuspid aortic valve (BAV), which'll need replacing in 5-10 years. I had no idea I had it but, in hindsight, I can see how some of my breathing issues would've been the result of the BAV. I've seen the cardiologist this evening (private) and I've got the all clear for the HA but he made it clear that, with the BAV, I need to stop any extreme sport and keep it low level (continue skateboarding and hiking). He also said that many people may have these issues but it doesn't become apparent until our 50s and 60s. I had considered athletes heart as I also have a small enlargement around the part of the heart which supports the lungs, which can be consistent with that. I think about how all the physical activities I've done over the years actually helped me as my heart muscle was strong. If in doubt and you can afford it or have PHI, go private for a check up, that's what I did. Hope that helps.
Thanks for the reply. I'm awaiting a post echocardiogram debrief from the cardiologist,where hopefully I'll get some answers. I'll guess I'll take it from there. I don't think I've had a heart attack but I arranged to see a doctor around 2 weeks after a rough night with chest pains 3 months later here I am .
Athletes heart affects the left ventricle; your issues are all above that (left atrium, aortic valve, aorta). Did the echo results mention a bicuspid aortic valve? Connective tissue disorders (Marfans, etc.) can also produce your results.
If you don’t have one of the connective tissue disorders then the recommended intervention limit is something like 5.5cm, or severe regurgitation, which could still be quite some time in the future.
I have one of the connective tissue disorders, but I don’t have a dilated aorta. It took decades for my valves to go from mild-to-moderate to severe-with-left-ventricular-hypertrophy. In the end I had to have my mitral valve repaired and my aortic valve replaced.
Thanks, No mention of bicuspid valve or marfans,but I'm working off a short letter I received.im not getting any feedback back for 6 weeks.
The delay in getting a follow-up is usually because they think it will be quite some time before intervention is needed. Still worth chasing it up, though, as sometimes things do get dropped on the floor....
Good morning. Iam sorry to learn that you have an heart issue. I have a Arotic Root aneurysm and ascending.The arotic root is 4cm and has been like that since March 2023 but the Ascending was 3.2cm then in October 2023 3.8cm, October 2024 4cm. My advice is try and keep blood pressure down to normal range, No heavy lifting, No impact sports, keep on top of total cholesterol and bad cholesterol, control diet, keep alcohol to a minimum or no alcohol at all, definitely no smoking, there is plenty of good advice on the Bhf website, also plenty of fantastic advice on this forum from loads of nice people. I would have your dilation checked out once a year to make sure everything is okay. Peace of mind really. After my recent cardiology consultant appointment iam supposed to be going on 3 monthly or 6 monthly check because of the continuous growth of my aneurysm, they will probably forget about me again and I will have to chase up my cheaks again, it's really upsetting something as important as this and it's human life we are talking about. Take care
Thanks, I've started statins as cholesterol was a little high but all my other stats are good , I was running 5 days a week until I received this letter . I have stopped running now awaiting further advice, just brisk walks.
I was told it's genetic and nothing to do with your lifestyle.And as for fitness I said to one consultant I am pretty fit but not an athlete, his reply was even premiership footballers have heart attacks.
There's only so much you can do if it's genetic.
Thanks for all the reassuring replies. I'm gonna chill out , and let the experts advise. I think anxiety and Google are the best things to avoid . Keep well all
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