Because of intermittent palps, I had an echocardiogram, Holter Monitor and a Nuclear Stress Test in mid-December. Was called back by the Cardio's office in January and told that all tests were normal and nothing of concern. Today, a nurse from the Cardio's office called and asked if I had been given all the test results. I told her I had and that I was told all was normal. She said, well, the test results are nothing to worry about, but you do have a very slight heart enlargement!!!!!! I panicked and asked if this was heart failure, etc. She told me no, it doesn't even need to be treated it is slight, my ejection fraction is excellent and this is nothing to worry about. She said if I were over 60, they might do an annual Echo to monitor this, but because of my age, this is not necessary. It just sounds weird to me, shouldn't this be monitored? Shouldn't they try to find out WHY there is a slight enlargement? She said it was quite frequent in my age group (46) and that she has it too (she is 37), but I am still concerned and wondering if I should insist to be put on BP meds, in case this is caused by BP fluctuations. I DO NOT want to wind up with heart failure later on, and if this is only slight enlargement, it sounds like it is still early. What would you guys do???

Tompet,

If the cardiologist is not worried, then it is most likely nothing to worry about. In my experience, cardiologists don't just slough things off if they could be of concern - most are fairly cautious.

I had a similar experience where they found a small amount of fluid in the heart sac - sort of like pericarditis, but the amount of fluid was very small. My cardiologist monitored it for awhile, but subsequently concluded that it was stable and did not affect my heart function. For all they can tell, when they find something minor, it might be something that has been a part of you for so many years, and it could even be normal for you.

If you are worried, go back in a year and have them redo the echo and check for any changes. That may give you the peace of mind that you are looking for.

I'm wondering how they knew it was slightly enlarged. Did you have prior tests so they were able to compare your recent results to what size the heart was at an earlier time?

I also wonder why the doctor didn't bother to mention it to you when he talked to you. Why did the nurse feel the need to "follow up" on her boss's work months later?

Just wondering.

Prehaps it would ease your mind to talk to the doctor.

Miss Tibbs

Hi Pixie, I am glad your fluid is nothing to worry about. Amazing how we just bumble along, not realizing what odd things are going on in our bodies. But that's probably a good thing. I might follow your advice and ask for another echo in a year, just to make sure.

Miss Tibbs, this was the first echo I've ever had, so they had nothing to compare it to. The person who called me back in January was also a nurse at this cardio's office. She said all was fine and no follow up visit needed. I guess the cardiologist only calls back if he feels there is a problem. Otherwise, the nurse reports the results to the patient. I was very surprised this lady called today, considering what I was told in January. I asked if I should make a follow up appointment and she said it wasn't necessary as there was no need for treatment or monitoring.

Well, if it was me, I'd want to talk to the doctor now. After all you didn't just pay for the test. You paid to be accurately advised of the results which should include having all of your questions answered. Even if it was your insurance that paid for the test--in the end, it was YOU that paid for it. It wasn't free or a favor they were doing for you.

Perhaps the second nurse called because the office isn't very well organized and doesn't note on a chart whether or not a patient has been advised of their results. If that's the case--what else aren't they organized well enough to do correctly?

I'm sure you have nothing to worry about--however, I don't think they showed very good form in the way they have caused you needless anxiety and confusion. I'd want to talk to someone about it--and for starters, I'd like to know how they know the heart is larger than it has been in the past without any prior testing to compare the most recent test results to.

That's just how I see it.

Miss Tibbs

P.S. I also don't think it was good form for the nurse to make it seem that since she's got an enlarged heart--hey! you're okay--you're just like me--the nurse. Whoopee. You didn't need to know about the nurse's health status. I feel that was unprofessional of her. She's not your neighbor gossipping over the back fence--she's supposed to be a professional performing a service you paid for.

Miss Tibbs, I agree with you, plus if they weren't sure if I'd been called, why did they let it slide until now, when I had the tests almost 3 months ago. That seems really excessive. I think I'll go talk to our PCP, he is very level-headed and I trust him. I'll see what he has to say and act accordingly.

Tompet, do you exercise or workout a lot?

My son is a runner and he found out that he has an enlarged heart, too. At first, I panicked but then he found out, and I confirmed it, that people who exercise a lot can get enlarged herts. I guess exercise enlarges more than the legs, arms or abs!

Best of luck to you.

Mary O, I've also read about Athlete's heart, but I definitely don't have that. You have to be very athletic, and the heart enlarges much more than slightly.