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Original poster

Does anyone know anything about systolic heart murmurs and left atrial enlargement?!

11 replies

Lubyloo · 21/04/2008 21:32

I had an appointment with a consultant today as they are trying to get to the bottom of my high blood pressure. I had an ECG which apparently showed left atrial hypertrophy (enlargement) and he could hear a systolic heart mumur.

I'm scared stiff! The consultant was completely lacking in any patient skills and just barked questions at me. I have got to have a whole battery of tests (including collecting every drop of urine I pass in 24 hours!) I have also been told that we have to stop TTC because "the end result could be disastrous"

Can anyone shed any light on what this all means. I know the high BP could have caused the enlargement but did it also cause the murmur? Or has whatever caused the murmur also caused the high BP which in turn led to the atrial enlargement? My BP averaged 160/120 today which is even higher than normal but he was scaring me!

OP posts:
lucykate · 21/04/2008 21:47

try not to panic (easier said than done i know), misdee may be able to advise on the enlargement side of things. heart murmors are quite common, mine squeaks with each beat due to a slight nerve defect i was born with.

avenanap · 21/04/2008 21:51

Most people have murmours and are unaware of them until a doctor points it out. The enlargement is sometimes caused by the heart having to beat a bit harder to push the blood around, the heart's a muscle, if it is pushed more it will get a bit bigger. I don't know about the rest but I think there should be someone along who does very soon. TTC would place added pressure on your heart, he's probably not recommending you do this until they find out what is causing the enlargement.

lucykate · 21/04/2008 21:57

lubyloo, this thread on a health talk board will be interesting reading for you

misdee · 21/04/2008 22:01

urine collectio nwill be to check kidney function.

sometimes the heart can be returned within normal ranges with medication and rest.

they will need to get your bp undercontrol as well.

and please dont ttc for now until you find out whats going on and medds etc, as it could put things under further strain.

Original poster
Lubyloo · 21/04/2008 22:13

Thank you for your replies. That link was helpful Lucykate and it's good to know that things can be improved.

He has also prescribed me metformin as I have PCOS. He said that may help the BP and also help me lose weight and get pregnant. However, he has only given me a months supply and I don't go back to see him for two months. As we can't TTC until we get the all clear from him it seems a bit of a waste. I'm not sure how to get a repeat prescription from him either.

His manner was really awful. He asked me if I was having fun practising (TTC) and when he examined me said that he wasn't going to do "any rudies" He fired so many questions at me so rapidly that I couldn't keep up. I ended up saying no when he asked if I ever had palpitations but I do. I am now worried this may affect my treatment.

OP posts:
Original poster
Lubyloo · 21/04/2008 22:13

Thank you for your replies. That link was helpful Lucykate and it's good to know that things can be improved.

He has also prescribed me metformin as I have PCOS. He said that may help the BP and also help me lose weight and get pregnant. However, he has only given me a months supply and I don't go back to see him for two months. As we can't TTC until we get the all clear from him it seems a bit of a waste. I'm not sure how to get a repeat prescription from him either.

His manner was really awful. He asked me if I was having fun practising (TTC) and when he examined me said that he wasn't going to do "any rudies" He fired so many questions at me so rapidly that I couldn't keep up. I ended up saying no when he asked if I ever had palpitations but I do. I am now worried this may affect my treatment.

OP posts:
avenanap · 21/04/2008 22:17

If they are doing some tests the palpitations should show up. You can go to your GP for a repeat prescription if you need to. His manner's very bad though, very out of order. When you go and see him next time make sure that you write the questions that you want him to answer down so that you remember them. It sounds overwhelming for you.

misdee · 21/04/2008 22:19

you need to see gp to get repeat perscription sorted out

Original poster
Lubyloo · 21/04/2008 22:29

Will the GP have a record of what the consultant prescribed then Misdee? I avoid doctors at hospitals at all costs normally so don't know the protocol.

Avenanap - I am going to get DH to come with me next time. I wasn't given the opportunity to ask questions. He had two other doctors come in and talk to him whilst I was in there and he made a phonecall. (I have only just worked out what your username says as I typed it! I always thought it was unusual)

OP posts:
misdee · 21/04/2008 22:32

they should do, but take your current box with you when you see the gp so they can getthe dosage right. everytime one of dh meds chage with his consultant he then sees his gp to get his script updated.

avenanap · 21/04/2008 22:33

The consultant will send your gp a letter telling him what he thinks, what he's going to do and what he's given you.

I need to change the name. I don't want my life to be determined by chronic fatigue. Killed my hopes of going to medical school.

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