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Question:
What might cause LV dysfunction in an otherwise healthy male?
What might cause LV dysfunction in an otherwise healthy male? I am 62, no history of heart problems, BP running 132/80, not diabetic, no sleep apnea, play competitive intermediate-level tennis several times a week, university professor with virtually no stress factors in life, 6'3" with weight of 190, no chronic illness but do have multiple lower back problems (spine cord stim implanted 2 years ago), no other health issues. Began having isolated shortness of breath episodes while sleeping 6-8 months ago, growing more frequent over time. Last month or so began getting out of breath in daytime more easily than a competitive tennis player should. Recently had nuke stress test, echo, heart scan, indicating LVH and EF of 40%. Currently on 3.125 of coreg, only; just did Holter monitor but results not in yet. Have been told to expect testing in the cath lab. No cause yet identified. Any thoughts? Thanks very much.
submitted by William from Savannah, Georgia on 3/13/10
Answer:
by Texas Heart Institute cardiologist, Christopher M. Frank, MD
In the United States, about 50% of cardiomyopathies (cases of abnormal heart function) are caused by coronary artery disease, so the first and most important question is to assess the coronary anatomy with angiography. The other 50% of "nonischemic" cardiomyopathies have a long list of causes that sometimes overlap; contributing factors can include hypertension, diabetes, thyroid disease, viral infections, sleep apnea, valvular heart disease, tachycardia, familial or genetic problems, as well as a host of rarer diseases. In some cases, we can't identify a cause and we call it "idiopathic."
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Updated March 2010
