What complication can dilated left atrium cause in a hypertensive patient?

Question

Hello doctor,

I am a 68-year-old female. I have been on Metoprolol 75 mg for years. My BP is very well under control. I had a recent episode of vertigo and dizziness went away by end of day. I went to my doctor and she found nothing and said it is not uncommon for this. But since I was concerned about family history of corotid blockage, she ran some tests. Heart i-pad test and corotid were normal. Echocardiogram showed moderately dilated left atrium. She said we will do the test again in a year. Is this normal?

Answer 1

Hello,

Welcome to icliniq.com.

I can understand your concern, but you need to be worried. You will be fine soon, hopefully. Left atrium enlargement is a result of your high blood pressure. Although your blood pressure is well controlled, it does not mean you cannot develop left atrial enlargement. Your heart has remodeled. It is fine to repeat the test in a year to make sure the enlargement is not progressing. You can prevent this from progressing. I believe that you will be fine.

Answer 2

Hello,

Welcome back to icliniq.com.

I am aware of the study on ten years survival rate of patients with left atrial enlargement. This study was in the Canadian medical journal. This study is not prognostic. That is to say that it is not sufficient to tell for sure what will happen in the next ten years. Even though the study is not conclusive. A patient's 10 years survival chance is indeed based on factors like concomitant diseases present. If you do not manage your blood pressure well, it can progress and lead to heart failure. You could also develop arrhythmias like atrial fibrillation, etc. These factors can lessen a person's 10 years survival chance. The only thing you can do to increase your survival rate even more than 10 years is to manage your blood pressure well. Do check-ups occasionally. I hope this helps.