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Question:
I have a severely dilated left atrium. What does the doctor mean when he says "we'll watch it" ?
I am a 44-year-old black female who just found out a couple of days ago that my left atrium is severely dilated and my cardiologist told me today that we will just watch it. Watch what? Please help me understand what my doctor should have told me without me asking...We are talking about my heart here. Thanks.
submitted by Jacque from Houston on 10/28/2014
Answer:
by Texas Heart Institute cardiologist, George Younis, MD
Left atrial dilation is often a consequence of significant hypertension. There is no specific therapy other than controlling blood pressure and other cardiac conditions. It can be associated with arrhythmias such as atrial fibrillation. Patients should be monitored with hopes of achieving optimal blood pressure control, weight management, management of sleep apnea, and monitoring for arrhythmias.
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Updated October 2014
