Question 1

I'm really worried because my HDL is 38, and I've heard that kind of level can lead to heart disease. I'm feeling pretty scared about it and could really use some guidance. What can I do to improve it?

Accepted Answer

To improve your HDL level, you can make lifestyle changes such as: - Engaging in regular physical activity - Eating a healthy diet rich in fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and healthy fats - Quitting smoking if you smoke - Limiting alcohol intake In addition to lifestyle changes, your doctor may also prescribe medications to help increase your HDL level. One such medication is Niacin (Vitamin B3), which can help raise HDL levels. The typical dosage for Niacin is 500-2000 mg per day, but it is important to follow your doctor's instructions regarding the dosage. Remember to consult your healthcare provider before starting any new medication or making significant lifestyle changes.

Question 2

I'm really struggling to understand my heart issues. For someone who's been dealing with heart problems for 34 years, it's tough to know what's happening. I have diastolic relaxation abnormality, and my TMT was mildly positive, but that was dismissed with a normal CT angiography. I often feel my heart skip a beat with a thud during exercise and even at rest. My exercise tolerance seems to be getting worse, and my heart rate jumps past 130 after just a few minutes of daily activity, though it calms to 60s bpm in the morning. I often feel dizzy, weak, and fatigued. The ECGs say I have LVH, but the echo says normal LVM. Can diastolic relaxation abnormality indicate heart failure? Is the ECG more reliable than the echo for identifying LVH? And should I be comfortable trusting the CT angio results? Any insights would really help clarify things for me.

Accepted Answer

1. Diastolic relaxation abnormality does not necessarily mean you have heart failure, but it does indicate that your heart's ability to relax and fill with blood is impaired. It is a condition that can progress and should be monitored and managed carefully by your healthcare provider.
2. The echocardiogram (echo) is generally considered more accurate for assessing left ventricular mass (LVM) and structure, so you can trust the echo results over the ECG for diagnosing LVH.
3. A normal CT angiography report is generally reliable and indicates that your coronary arteries do not have significant blockages.

Given your symptoms of skipped heartbeats, exercise intolerance, dizziness, and fatigue, it's important to follow up with your cardiologist. They may need to reassess your condition and consider other diagnostic tests or treatment changes. Continuous monitoring and a thorough evaluation by your healthcare provider are essential to address your concerns and ensure proper management of your heart health.

Question 3

I'm kind of worried about my recent heart echo results after having a COVID infection. It says I've got mild tricuspid and mitral regurgitation and borderline concentric hypertrophy. But it also mentions that my systolic function is good with an LVEF of 66, and that my cardiac valves look normal. There's no pulmonary arterial hypertension, intracardiac shunt, or pericardial effusion. Sometimes I get this weird feeling, like something's stuck on the left side, and then when it goes down, I can breathe a lot better. Other than that, I'm feeling okay. Should I be concerned about these findings? What do you suggest I do next?

Accepted Answer

There is no immediate cause for worry. The symptoms you are experiencing on the left side may be related to the mild regurgitation, but further evaluation may be needed to determine the exact cause. To address the mild tricuspid and mitral regurgitation, you can take medication like Losartan to help reduce the regurgitation and prevent any worsening of the condition. Additionally, Metoprolol can be prescribed to help manage any symptoms related to the regurgitation. It is important to follow up with your healthcare provider for further evaluation and management based on your symptoms and the echocardiogram findings. Regular monitoring and follow-up appointments will be essential to ensure your heart health is maintained.

I'm a bit confused about my recent echo reports. The first one mentioned mild MR and MVP, but when I went to another hospital for a second opinion, they only found mild MR, no MVP. What should I do next? Should I be concerned about this discrepancy?

More Cardiology Health Queries

I'm really worried because my HDL is 38, and I've heard that kind of level can lead to heart disease. I'm feeling pretty scared about it and could really use some guidance. What can I do to improve it?

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