Shortness Of Breath

[krishnapramod]

Hi, I am a 26-year-old male, height 5 feet 10 inches, weight 82 kg. For the past two months I have been experiencing shortness of breath. I used to smoke, but quit about 6 months ago. One month ago I consulted a cardiologist regarding this and had an ECG, Echo, and blood work.

Medical history: Intestinal obstruction surgery in 2008

ECG result:
1. Suspected left ventricular hypertrophy.
2. ST- segment elevation (anterior)

As the ECG was abnormal the doctor did an echo and the findings were normal.

Echo Result:
LVID> 26/40   IVS> 15/13
PW> 15/10   EF>66%
LA 33   AO 28

Mitral Valve
DE 20   EF>0.13mm/sec

Doppler Flow
AO systolic> 1.30M/sec
Mitral E/A 0.78/0.88 M/sec

Blood Work:
Normal thyroid function and lipid profile.

The cardiologist told me everything is normal, but still I am experiencing shortness of breath even at rest so I would like to clear these doubts:

1. Is the thickness of my left ventricle normal?
2. The ECG showed ST-segment elevation. Based on echo results does it mean that I still have an elevated ST-segment. If yes, then should I be concerned about it?
3. These tests were done a month ago, apart from shortness of breath I do not have any symptoms of CHF so I would like to know can CHF occur suddenly?

It would be greatly appreciated if you will clear these doubts of mine. Thank you so much.

[krishnapramod]

Yes, I think the best way to deal with this is trust my cardiologist and stop worrying too much. Thank you so much ed :)

[ed34]

So you are now going to make your anxiety worse by looking at hcm? the figures you quote are expected by anxiety. I would seriously trust your cardiologist with so many years training and sort out your anxiety.

[krishnapramod]

Today, I searched Google and came up with some normal values. My ejection fraction is 66%. My left ventricular inner dimension (LVID) is 26/40 mm which 2.6cm/4.0 cm. I think it is within normal limits. What concerns me is my interventricular septum (IVS) and posterior wall ratio which 1.5 cm/1.3 cm and 1.5 cm/1.0 cm. Now my worries have moved on from CHF to hypertrophic cardiomyopathy. It is a genetic heart disorder. I do not get it why my doc said everything is normal even after my echo shows an IVS of 1.5 cm. Can you please explain to me more about HCM?

[ed34]

I realised that, but what I meant to say is it isn't included.

[krishnapramod]

Hi, on top I have listed the results of my echo test.

[ed34]

dont see it listed

[krishnapramod]

Hi, based on my echo results is the thickness of my left ventricle normal?

[ed34]

Yes it could and perhaps your next task is to have a long chat with your Doctor to find out what's causing the anxiety. Just to warn you, most people with anxiety long term end up with heart disease. I would get it under control now.

[krishnapramod]

As the echo was normal, I guess I do not have to worry about ST-segment elevation. Like you said, it could be due to anxiety.

[ed34]

It can mean a whole variety of things, depending on the complete ecg. It could be anything from normal/anxiety right through to a heart attack which you not suffering because they would have picked up on it.

[krishnapramod]

I know that is a normal respiratory rate, but still I am not able to breath like I used to. I think it might be due to anxiety or my sedentary lifestyle. What is ST-segment elevation?

[ed34]

but that's normal?

[krishnapramod]

My respiratory rate is around 12 breaths per minute.