I had an echocardiogram and it showed that I have SEVERE ATRIAL DILATION. I am 38 and at age 10 had rheumatic fever. I now have heart palpitations and tachycardia and am on medication for the tachycardia (Toprol XL).
What exactly does the Atrial Dilation mean and can it be the reason for the palpitations and tachycardia? Is this reversible? I am also overweight, will losing weight help?
I am really scared and dont know what to do. Is there anything I can do? Is it ok to exercise? Should I take an aspirin a day? MY Doctor wont help!!
The left Artium was 5.0 cm. I also had a trace of MR

Posted by Maria/MD Health Forum.com Team

The left and right side of the heart are separated by valves which are designed to prevent the blood from flowing backward into the atrium as the ventricle pumps blood out. If the valves do not perform their functions well, problems may arise. The bicuspid or mitral valve- lies between the left atrium and the left ventricle. There are conditions that are known to damage this valve, rheumatic fever, for example, may lead to rheumatic heart disease which can cause permanent damage to the heart. Rheumatic heart disease commonly affects the mitral valve, once this valve is damaged it may no longer close tightly. This will cause the blood to leak backward into the upper chamber. As a result, your heart has to work harder to pump this extra blood. Mitral valve disease often leads to the dilatation of the atrium and the increase pressure or volume of blood in the atrium may predispose a serious form of arrhythmia- an irregularity in the heartbeat pattern. This type of arrhythmia is known as atrial fibrillation. Here are some of the symptoms of atrial fibrillation: palpitations, shortness of breath, chest pain, weakness, decreased blood pressure. Experiencing such symptoms should prompt you to immediately seek medical attention. Intervention will depend on the severity of symptoms, medical history and cause of fibrillation. Anticoagulants may be prescribed to prevent strokes in people with atrial fibrillation. Medicines to control heart rate may also be given.

In left atrial dilatation, the treatment is generally based on the underlying cause. Toprol is indicated for high blood pressure and in some cases it given to prevent heart attack. You mentioned that you still have increased heart rate even though you have been taking Toprol. I think that you should inform your doctor about this. The interventions to prevent complications of left atrial dilatation will depend on his assessment and evaluation your general condition.

This is blog entry is for general information only, I recommend that you discuss your symptoms with your own doctor.

References:
Changes in the left atrial size and cardiac rhythm in patients after mitral valve surgery
Petrikoviz E, et al. Centre of Cardiovascular and Transplant Surgery, Brno

Potential mechanisms between atrial dilatation and atrial fibrillation
American Heart Journal - Volume 151, Issue 2 (February 2006)

Tags: atrial dilatation, Heart, LAD, mitral valve damage, mitral valve regurgitation, rheumatic heart disease, tachycardia