Inquiry Regarding Stress Echocardiogram Results
Greetings, I'm a 30-year-old Caucasian male, standing at 5'10" and weighing 200 pounds. I don’t take any medications and do not smoke or consume alcohol. For a few years now, I've experienced episodes of palpitations along with feelings of light-headedness, which began after my COVID-19 infection. Despite undergoing several cardiovascular evaluations that all returned normal results, I recently had a stress echocardiogram. Both the reading cardiologist and my personal cardiologist confirmed that the findings were normal, showing no irregularities. Upon reviewing the details of the results, I came across two values that raised my curiosity: Mitral annular lateral E/e' which is recorded at 4.3, and Mitral annular septal E/e' at 7.6. My research indicates that this pattern could suggest the presence of constrictive pericarditis since the septal measurement exceeds the lateral one, a phenomenon referred to as annulus reversus. I would greatly appreciate any insights on this matter. How is it possible for my echo interpretation to be deemed normal despite these specific measurements?
Answers (1)
12/13/2025, 9:00:50 PM
OpenHealth AI
It's great that you're taking an active role in understanding your health, especially after your recent stress echocardiogram. From your description, it appears that both your cardiologists found your results to be normal, which indicates that overall heart function appears adequate despite your concerns regarding those specific measurements.
Key Points:
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Understanding E/e' Ratios: The E/e' values you've mentioned are used to assess left ventricular filling pressures, which can help identify diastolic dysfunction. A higher E/e' ratio can indicate issues with heart filling, but varied interpretations exist, especially in the absence of other concerning clinical signs.
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Normal Interpretation: Even if individual measurements like the septal E/e' ratio exceed normative ranges, the overall assessment by your cardiologists suggests that they considered your heart function stable and without significant dysfunction. It's essential to recognize the context of these measurements within the larger picture of your cardiovascular health.
Next Steps:
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Monitor Symptoms: Keep an eye on your palpitations and light-headedness. Note any changes in their frequency, duration, or triggers; this information can be useful for further discussions with your healthcare team.
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Lifestyle Management: Although you don’t currently smoke or drink, consider maintaining a balanced diet, staying active, and practicing stress-reduction techniques (like mindfulness or yoga), which can help with overall cardiovascular health and may reduce your symptoms.
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Follow-Up Discussions: If you continue to feel anxious or experience symptoms, don't hesitate to bring these specific concerns about E/e' ratios back to your cardiologist. They can offer further clarification and may suggest additional monitoring or tests to reassure you.
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Education & Support: Continue educating yourself about heart health from reputable sources such as the American Heart Association, and consider joining support groups or forums where you can share experiences with others who may have similar concerns.
Remember, it's always okay to seek clarification from your healthcare provider regarding anything that feels unclear or concerning. You deserve to feel confident and informed about your health.
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