Distolic Dysfunction

[Daveleonard]

I recently had a 2D echo on my heart. The result was: Eccentric left ventricular hypertrophy. Ejection fraction was 60%. Grade 1 or mild left ventricular dysfunction. I want to find out what I can do to help lessen the progression of this condition. I have good blood pressure at 110/80. My cholesterol is 215 and I;m working on lowering it by diet. Triglycerides are 146. FBS is 95. Sgpt is 35. All within normal range. The valve leaflets have thickened as has the mitral valve leaflets but without restriction of movement.
Are there things I can be doing or taking that might reverse this condition?
Thanks.

[kenkeith]

Q: "The valve leaflets have thickened as has the mitral valve leaflets but without restriction of movement".

>>>Another perspective and that pertains to valve leaflets. Your comments: What valve leaflets are you referring?  Then a comment about MV leaflets?  Is the Aorta valve leaflets thickened and the mitral valve doesn't close properly?

The hypertrophy problem can be volume overload to the Left ventrical and cause LV hypertrophy or in the event of internal pressure from the left ventricle to move blood into circulation (Aorta valve narrowing)  that can cause hypertrophy.  If the leaflets of mitral valve do not tightly close that can cause hypertrophy as blood back flow into the upper chamber rather than into circulation and the left ventrical enlarges to compensate.  

The thickening (calcifaction) of valves may have underlying cause related to diet, etc.

Thanks for the question and if you have any further questions or comments you are welcome to respond.  Take care,

Ken

[erijon]

Diastolic Dysfunction (DD) is usually due to the left ventricle's inability to relax and fill properly so enough blood is pumped. Stage 1 DD is becoming a fairly common finding on echos these days. I had it on my first echo in 2005 and after a year of moderate exercise it has been gone each year since. Your case may be a little more difficult to reverse as you have LVH or a thickening of the walls of your left ventricle. You don't say to what degree, but if it's mild (less than 1.4 cm) you should be able to reverse the DD. The thickened walls of your left ventricle may be causing the walls to be stiff so it does not relax well enough to fill properly before each beat so you should talk to your doctor to determine how severe the LVH is and find the underlying cause so it can be stopped. Normally it's high BP, but yours in under control. It may be genetic or just a result of age.

Exercise to strengthen your cardiovascular system will help DD. It needs to be cardio in nature, like a brisk walk of biking most days per week. It does not require vigorous exercise just moderate exercise but it needs to be regular and consistent. Remember, do not start any exercise program until you run it past your doctor.

Hope this helps!

Jon

[vienna13]

Your BP is great! Your EF is great! I would say what you had came with age, as much as we all might hate to hear the word:”age”:)You just should fallow the heart healthy lifestyle: food-exercise etc. I can’t  think of more.
Good luck.