Atrial Enlargement?

[swinand Atria Find all posts View Profile Close swinand]

At my last visit to my cardiologist we reviewed the results of my latest echo. He indicated that my atrium has begun to enlarge vs. my previous echo (5mm). Is this a "common" occurence with HOCM? What might be the causes? Purely a function of back pressure or forces colliding inside the atrium?
My gradient is 55mm Hg, I have mitral regurg, and I am currently on 600mg of verapamil per day. (Spaced out over the day) I don't know my septal measurment. He has recommended I see a specialist and evaluate options including septal myectomy. I think the atrial enlargement has him concerned, so I am curious what others might know about this. What other questions should I be asking?
So far I have not had much problem with A-fib,(only occaisionally mostly on bad days) or blackouts.
All insights appreciated.

Thanks, Steve.

[Sarah Brave Heart Find all posts View Profile Close Sarah]

Re: Atrial Enlargement?

Afib makes the atria bigger. It sounds like you have more afib than you think you do. Blackouts are bad.

you need to see a specialist asap. you are in delaware, NY and Boston are close by --no reason not to get up there for a look see.

s

[swinand Atria Find all posts View Profile Close swinand]

Re: Atrial Enlargement?

Are you sure a-fib makes the atrium larger, or because of the enlarged atruim you can have more a-fib? My prior holter monitors have not shown any significant afib activity. My Dr. did say I could begin having more afib(as well as other problems) as a result. Does gradient or regurg have any impact on making your atrium larger. There was another post that mentioned atrial enlargement as "typical" of HOCM. Is that right? Do others have this situation and what does it mean to your long term prognosis?

[shirleymahoney Brave Heart Find all posts View Profile Close shirleymahoney]

Re: Atrial Enlargement?

Steve

My husband has chronic Afib, and has had it for over 20 years now, he doesn't have HOCM but his left atrium is enlarged, his cardio dr. said it was from having Afib for so long, with time it would enlarge. you need to get it checked out blackouts are not good, you will feel better going to see a specialist as i did a week ago, he eased my mind on a lot of questions i had,and knowing they deal with HCM on a daily bases is more comforting take care and get to a dr.


Keep us informed please
Shirley

[Sarah Brave Heart Find all posts View Profile Close Sarah]

Re: Atrial Enlargement?

i'm quite certain that afib makes the atria larger. however, that doesn't mean it doesn't work the other way. it is also true that the larger the atria get, the less likely i'll return to sinus rhythm.

it is possible that the heart is beating so oddly that it is deforming the atria, but afib is usually the main culprit. you definitely need a specialist!

s

[swinand Atria Find all posts View Profile Close swinand]

Re: Atrial Enlargement?

There is a theme that is common in everyone's response, "get to a specialist". Even my cardiologist says "you need to see a specialist". Well, being the hard headed stubborn german male that I am, I've reached the conclusion that "I need to see a specialist."
Since it has taken me a little time to reach that conclusion I have had the time to consider where. I was leaning toward Cleveland, but I have read many posts that have good things to say about Tufts-NEMC. They are probably about the same distance from where I am, and I probably can't go wrong with either one. I'll let you all know what happens from here. Thanks, Steve.

[KathyG Shy Heart Find all posts View Profile Close KathyG]

Re: Atrial Enlargement?

I was just wondering...if I already went through the surgery do I still need an HCM specialist? It seems like it would be a little late.

[Reenie Super Moderator Find all posts View Profile Close Reenie]

Re: Atrial Enlargement?

You should still see a specialist. That way you would be better able to coordinate any medical treatment and follow up care from the myectomy. Also, you'll have a baseline for care that your local cardio can follow. Most people coordinate their cardios with their specialists so that they aren't always travelling to the closest specialist.

Reenie

[KathyG Shy Heart Find all posts View Profile Close KathyG]

Re: Atrial Enlargement?

Reenie,
thanks for the reply. how would I find an HOCM specialist closest to my area? I'm guessing it would be through the internet its just that I haven't heard of a specialist in my area.

Kathy

[Sarah Brave Heart Find all posts View Profile Close Sarah]

Re: Atrial Enlargement?

K

Call the HCMA office at 973-983-7429 to find a specialist.

S

[Reenie Super Moderator Find all posts View Profile Close Reenie]

Re: Atrial Enlargement?

Kathy, Sarah is right. Call Lisa at the HCMA office Tues or Th next week. I know there is at least one specialist in the state of NY, but depending on where you live, you might be better off to go to another treatment facility. Lisa is really good at this. She works hard at it.

Reenie

[Linda Super Moderator Find all posts View Profile Close Linda]

Re: Atrial Enlargement?

Steve, you have a pretty good understanding of the atrial fib. The back-pressure causes the left atrium to enlarge or stretch out, and the more the enlargement, the greater the chance of atrial fib. Linda