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Echocardiography - EF%

Hi Doctor,

I’m 26 years old male. In May this year, I had 2 Echocardiographs in the same day. The first one I did has revealed a mild MVP and impaired diastolic function. I took this to my cardiology who doubted these results as he says the MVP screenshot should be taken from a different angle. I did the second Echo at a different technician and it came all back normal with no MVP and normal diastolic function.

However I’m getting worried as I have noticed a significant variable numbers between the 2 reports.

Please check below:

1st Echo:

EF 63%
LVEDD 5cm
LVESD 3.3 cm
IVSD 0.8 cm
LVPWD 0.7 cm

2nd Echo:

EF 74% (As per report normal range from 53% – 77%)
LVEDD 41 mm
LVESD 24 mm
IVSD 10 mm
LVPWD 10 mm

I have some questions and I’m looking for answers as I’m really getting very worried about this:

1. Which EF% is correct? I have read on the internet that high EF% could be signs of HCM, should I be worried about this?
2. When counting EF, is it automatically done by the machine, or it has to be manually calculated by the technician?
3. IVSD is 10 mm, I know this is normal, however I’m a bit concerned as this is very close to the end range which is 11. Should I be worried about this?
4. I’m looking to get regular checkups, how often I should do that? I have heard some says every 1 year and others say every 5 years.

N.B: I did several EKGs and they all came back normal, apart from sinus Tachycardia in some of them as I’m getting really really anxious when I do this and my heart rate goes up.

I would like to take this opportunity and thank you all for this great forum and for taking the time reading my email.
2 Responses
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Avatar universal
Dear Doctor,

Before anything I would like to thank you for such quick valuable response.

I don't have any family history with heart disease generally and HCM specifically.

My cardiology didn't request any echo to be done, all tests have been done upon my strong request after getting very few chest pains and after checking symptoms on the internet giving thoughts this could be heart attack! (lack of knowledge from my side).

Now you have played a very important role of helping me getting rid of my anxiety and getting back to normal life for having such feedback from a valuable trusted forum.

Thank you again and I will definitely take your advise for granted and enjoy my 20s.

You made my day, thank you very much :)
Helpful - 0
1495448 tn?1326842830
MEDICAL PROFESSIONAL
Both EFs are fine and normal for a healthy person your age.  The EF is calculated both by the machine and by the cardiologist reading the echo.  The septum size appears fine, but if you are concerned about HCM ask your cardiologist about it.  I wouldn't worry about HCM unless you have a family history of sudden cardiac death.  I'm actually not sure why you had an echo to begin with, you may want to discuss this with your doctor as it is not routine for a 26yo to have an echo unless looking for something specific.  Being nervous can make your heart pump harder and make your EF higher, so that may explain why the 2nd one was higher.  But again, I would not worry about this.  Follow up is based on what your cardiologist is concerned about and what they are following, so I can't comment on the appropriate time frame.  But from what I'm seeing you have nothing to worry about and should just relax and enjoy your 20s!  They go by quickly...  Hope this helps.  
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