Any input? - Heart Disorders Message Board

sunshine18 · 10-06-2006, 05:13 PM

Hey,

I'm a 21-year-old female.

I have an eating disorder and am being monitored weekly by my doctor. I've had several EKG's throughout the past few years, but they haven't been abnormal until recently. I don't know much about the heart, but I think I have "atrial fibiliation" or something???

Anyways, today I had an echocardiogram and the lady who did it said it looked fine. Obviously, the doctor hasn't interpreted the results yet, but I'm assuming she's right and I'm fine.

But how could an EKG give abnormal results and an echo look fine? I'm really glad that everything is okay, but unfortunatley I'm afraid I might start thinking it's okay to lose more weight.

Another question...I'm on Plavix (been taking it just over a week). I know brusing is a side effect...is excessive bruising dangerous? My legs are covered with bruises. I'm brusing more and more.

Mari526 · 10-06-2006, 05:34 PM

Excessive bruising is a adverse sign that should be reported to your MD. Plavix is an antiplatelet aggregator that is often prescribed for atrial fib but, studies have shown that aspirin may be just as effective. You should discuss this with your MD.
Be careful with dieting, that can lead to electrolyte imbalances that can affect your heartrate.

Dancer_Cat86 · 10-06-2006, 06:41 PM

EKG/ECG's show the electrics of the heart, so atrial fibrillation is a type of arrhythmia where your pulse races, and the beats are irregular. The echo shows the structure of the heart, and shows up if there are any abnormalities with the structure of the heart and correct me if I'm wrong it shows the blood flow through the heart. Just because the echo's fine, doesnt meen you dont have anything wrong with your heart...It just probably means the heart is a normal shape and doesnt have any valve problems. Anorexia can cause more serious arrhythmias, so please try and get the eating disorder under control! Also make sure you tell the doctor about the brusing when you see them...From what I know sometimes you have to go on anti clotting drugs if you have A fib, and if your brusing I think (instinct) that that could be slightly dancerous.

Hope you get better soon! I'm not medicaly traines so all the info is just from my oppinion and slight knowledge from researching on the net!

cat

started04 · 10-06-2006, 07:38 PM

"But how could an EKG give abnormal results and an echo look fine? "

The EKG measures electric impulses and its timing as it passes through the heart from different angles. It aids a diagnosis of any rhythm problems, but also can reveal and heart muscle damage and any enlargement of heart chambers...Your abnormal results relates to a possible rhythm problem, but can be as innocuous as a heart rate over 100 bpm without consideration for some test anxiety.

The echo rules out any abnormal size or function of heart chambers and no valve abnormalities in structure or function. The doppler that is part of the echo color codes blood flow in real time, and will show any back flow (regurgitation). The heart's ability to pump effectively is also measured and calculated by the percentage of blood pumped with each stroke.

Plavix: If the heart beats very fast there is a possibility some blood will pool and not be pump into circulation. The pooling can cause clots, and if clots get into the blood stream there can be a complete block of an artery and cause a heart attack.

The usual protocol for arhythmias is to prescribe a beta-blocker med to slow the heart. The slower heart beat has a less tendency to be irregular as well.
It seems more plausible to treat the rhythm problem directly rather than mitigate the results of a rhythm problem by thinning the blood and not treat the fib!

sunshine18 · 10-07-2006, 06:17 AM

Hi everybody,

I can not thank you enough for your responses...I do have a few more questions though. If anybody has suggestions or more input that would be great. I'm a little worried.

I guess I understand the differences between the EKG and echo now...thanks.

About the bruising...my doctor did say bruising is a side effect. I guess I'm just having trouble knowing what excessive brusing is. I'm very thin, so my mom said that is contributing...but then again I just started Plavix a week ago. I'm having trouble realizing how bruising could actually be dangerous. But in any case, I'm seeing my doctor Wednesday. I don't need to look into this before then, do I?

Last thing...I didn't mention that I have chest pain (been lasting a couple weeks). My doctor knows about this. Just thought I'd add that into my "description."

Hopefully I'm imagining all these heart problems. My bloodwork was fine...it's just that EKG that's showing up abnormal.