Echocardiogram result questions

[Irongiant]

I’ve been experiencing sporadic shortness of breath episodes over the past couple years (far less frequent now but still mildly concerning) that my primary care doctor said were atypical since they seem to be random and not exercise induced. Blood pressure was high 145/85 (Being addressed). Found out I had sleep apnea which is also being addressed. Bloodwork came back normal. He sent me to a pulmonologist. His results came back normal. Sent to cardiologist, ekg normal, stress ekg normal. For the echocardiogram he mentioned mild lvh/slight thickening of heart due to blood pressure caused by the unchecked apnea. Thinks that might be the cause of the breathing episodes but isn’t 100% sure. He said he wasn’t concerned and believed once the pressure was lowered so should the LVH/thickening.

I’m 32 years old, on gear for about 7 years now, 6’5 275lbs approx 23% body fat at testing, currently at 245lbs (attempting to get lean as possible to help with pressure). My dosages are pretty mild, I typically run 600-800mg total anabolics while blasting, as of the testing I was cruising at 225mg test e a week. I’ve since dropped to 150mg while I normalize blood pressure, increase cardio capacity/frequency, and loose weight.

I just wanted to get some input/advice on the safety of future anabolics/gh use given this info. Echo results below.

Thanks for your help.

 

[stackdizzy]

Are you familiar with Anxiety at all?

 

[Irongiant]

Are you familiar with Anxiety at all?

I understand that conclusion, cardiologist asked the same about stress. But I live a very peaceful life, only time I’ve experienced anxiety was when my e2 was much too high. The shortness of breath would occur at rest with chest pressure, even while lying down in bed, so definitely not the issue.

 

[360]

The echo looks fine. Address the OSA, BP, and body fat.

 

[Reno911]

For right now don't worry about the future of gear use.

As @360 said work on the OSA, BP, and body fat.

Also talk to your cardiologist about Jardiance and it wouldn't hurt to add in a high quality Arjuna at a good dose.

 

[bbxtreme]

Focus on cardio and drop that bodyfat off. This sounds more like a lifestyle issue IMO. Don’t mean that in a negative way.

 

[Irongiant]

The echo looks fine. Address the OSA, BP, and body fat.

For right now don't worry about the future of gear use.

As @360 said work on the OSA, BP, and body fat.

Also talk to your cardiologist about Jardiance and it wouldn't hurt to add in a high quality Arjuna at a good dose.

Absolutely, Ive been approved for a cpap and also have a consultation for the inspire surgery. The BP has been steadily improving as well, along with the shedding of excess body fat. I’ll definitely inquire about Jardiance and pick up some Arjuna in the mean time. I appreciate it.

Focus on cardio and drop that bodyfat off. This sounds more like a lifestyle issue IMO. Don’t mean that in a negative way.

Agreed and no offense taken, you’re 100% right. I‘ve definitely neglected my health for a bit after the passing of a loved one. So I’m getting on top of things now.

 

[bbxtreme]

Absolutely, Ive been approved for a cpap and also have a consultation for the inspire surgery. The BP has been steadily improving as well, along with the shedding of excess body fat. I’ll definitely inquire about Jardiance and pick up some Arjuna in the mean time. I appreciate it.



Agreed and no offense taken, you’re 100% right. I‘ve definitely neglected my health for a bit after the passing of a loved one. So I’m getting on top of things now.

Sorry to hear about your loss. We’ve all been there in tough times. You’ll get back on track!

 

[bananas007]

I understand that conclusion, cardiologist asked the same about stress. But I live a very peaceful life, only time I’ve experienced anxiety was when my e2 was much too high. The shortness of breath would occur at rest with chest pressure, even while lying down in bed, so definitely not the issue.

The echo is NOT fine. You have grade 1 diastolic dysfunction. Stiffening of the ventricles. You should definitely hold off on cycles. Main goal would be to get the blood pressure normalized asap.

if you are having chest pressure, getting a stress test or equivalent is also a good idea.

Both heart failure aka heart failure with preserved ejection fraction or diastolic heart failure or HFPEF and CAD/ coronary artery disease will have overlap of symptoms.

TLDR: stop anabolics. Get health in line first

 

[gib68sg]

The echo is NOT fine. You have grade 1 diastolic dysfunction. Stiffening of the ventricles. You should definitely hold off on cycles. Main goal would be to get the blood pressure normalized asap.

if you are having chest pressure, getting a stress test or equivalent is also a good idea.

Both heart failure aka heart failure with preserved ejection fraction or diastolic heart failure or HFPEF and CAD/ coronary artery disease will have overlap of symptoms.

TLDR: stop anabolics. Get health in line first

-the resident Debbie Downer


Checks out

 

[bananas007]

-the resident Debbie Downer


Checks out

Haha . I have to provide the ying to the Yang.
Is grade 1 diastolic dysfunction the worst thing ever. No .
Are there other 32 year olds walking around with grade 1 diastolic dysfunction. No .only a Very very small percent usually drug users or genetically hypertensive people who haven’t taken their medications and had it for ten years.

This is a pathology you will usually see show up in the 50s and 60 year olds and older

 

[mayan]

I’m 32 years old, on gear for about 7 years now, 6’5 275lbs approx 23% body fat at testing, currently at 245lbs (attempting to get lean as possible to help with pressure). My dosages are pretty mild, I typically run 600-800mg total anabolics while blasting, as of the testing I was cruising at 225mg test e a week. I’ve since dropped to 150mg while I normalize blood pressure, increase cardio capacity/frequency, and loose weight.

You made your doctors aware of this?

 

[gauge22-v2]

As others noted. Do some LISS cardio every fucking day.

For the snoring, you can also try getting mattress/frame that will allow you to elevate your head. I used to snore quite badly, and since getting the bed I am done to a very minor amount. Dependent on the severity of your snoring of course.

 

[warlock]

Losing weight will help with blood pressure but if I were you, I would get on a BP med ASAP too if you haven't done that yet.

 

[nothuman]

The echo is NOT fine. You have grade 1 diastolic dysfunction. Stiffening of the ventricles. You should definitely hold off on cycles. Main goal would be to get the blood pressure normalized asap.

if you are having chest pressure, getting a stress test or equivalent is also a good idea.

Both heart failure aka heart failure with preserved ejection fraction or diastolic heart failure or HFPEF and CAD/ coronary artery disease will have overlap of symptoms.

TLDR: stop anabolics. Get health in line first

Grade 1 diastolic dysfunction is common and shouldn't be an issue as long as it doesn't get worse.

Anecdotally, I had an echo say I had grade 1 diastolic dysfunction five years ago and then I started taking Empagliflozin and I don't have any grade 1 diastolic dysfunction anymore. Empagliflozin is the only drug to my knowledge that has potential to help with diastolic function of the heart.

It should be a no brainer for the original poster, in addition to lifestyle changes (which is obviously mandatory and more important than anything else).

Haha . I have to provide the ying to the Yang.
Is grade 1 diastolic dysfunction the worst thing ever. No .
Are there other 32 year olds walking around with grade 1 diastolic dysfunction. No .only a Very very small percent usually drug users or genetically hypertensive people who haven’t taken their medications and had it for ten years.

This is a pathology you will usually see show up in the 50s and 60 year olds and older

agreed

 

[nothuman]

Empagliflozin

Effects of empagliflozin on left ventricular diastolic function in addition to usual care in individuals with type 2 diabetes mellitus—results from the randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled EmDia trial - PMC

The sodium-glucose co-transporter 2 inhibitor empagliflozin improves cardiovascular outcome in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) and heart failure. Experimental studies suggest a direct cardiac effect of empagliflozin associated with an ...

www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

"Empagliflozin improves diastolic function in patients with T2DM and elevated end-diastolic pressure. Since the positive effects were consistent in patients with and without heart failure with preserved ejection fraction, the data add a mechanistic insight for the beneficial cardiovascular effect of empagliflozin."

ARBs, ACE inhibtors, and calcium channel blockers can help too. Another reason why all bodybuilders should use Telmisartan IMO

How to Treat Diastolic Dysfunction and Heart Failure

Learn how treating diastolic dysfunction and diastolic heart failure primarily depends on treating underlying causes, such as hypertension and coronary artery disease.

www.verywellhealth.com

Two drugs I take and my echocardiogram went from Grade 1 DF to no sign of it. I also won't even allow my systolic blood pressure to ever be higher than 120 under any circumstance (other than during training)

 

[Irongiant]

As others noted. Do some LISS cardio every fucking day.

For the snoring, you can also try getting mattress/frame that will allow you to elevate your head. I used to snore quite badly, and since getting the bed I am done to a very minor amount. Dependent on the severity of your snoring of course.

Yeah I started incorporating 3 sessions of LISS, 2 sessions of moderate intensity, and 2 sessions of HIIT. I’ve seen conflicting information on which would help the most so I figured I’d just cover all my bases. The mattress sounds like an excellent idea but since my ENT said I was a perfect candidate for inspire (apparently my tongue is too big and it’s been choking me in my sleep) I’ll go that route and just use the Cpap in the mean time.

 

[Irongiant]

Losing weight will help with blood pressure but if I were you, I would get on a BP med ASAP too if you haven't done that yet.

My primary placed me on a calcium channel blocker “amlodipine“, but I’ve been wondering if I should ask for an Ace or an ARB on top of it. I know I’ve tried telimsartan in the past (self prescribed) and gave me massive heart palpitations. Also nebivolol seemed to seriously exacerbate my breathing issues something fierce.

Empagliflozin

Effects of empagliflozin on left ventricular diastolic function in addition to usual care in individuals with type 2 diabetes mellitus—results from the randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled EmDia trial - PMC

The sodium-glucose co-transporter 2 inhibitor empagliflozin improves cardiovascular outcome in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) and heart failure. Experimental studies suggest a direct cardiac effect of empagliflozin associated with an ...

www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

"Empagliflozin improves diastolic function in patients with T2DM and elevated end-diastolic pressure. Since the positive effects were consistent in patients with and without heart failure with preserved ejection fraction, the data add a mechanistic insight for the beneficial cardiovascular effect of empagliflozin."

ARBs, ACE inhibtors, and calcium channel blockers can help too. Another reason why all bodybuilders should use Telmisartan IMO

How to Treat Diastolic Dysfunction and Heart Failure

Learn how treating diastolic dysfunction and diastolic heart failure primarily depends on treating underlying causes, such as hypertension and coronary artery disease.

www.verywellhealth.com

Two drugs I take and my echocardiogram went from Grade 1 DF to no sign of it. I also won't even allow my systolic blood pressure to ever be higher than 120 under any circumstance (other than during training)

Man you’re a wealth of solid information, I was just looking at your other posts about Jardiance. I’ll definitely bring this info up to much Primary. I really appreciate it.

 

[nothuman]

My primary placed me on a calcium channel blocker “amlodipine“, but I’ve been wondering if I should ask for an Ace or an ARB on top of it. I know I’ve tried telimsartan in the past (self prescribed) and gave me massive heart palpitations. Also nebivolol seemed to seriously exacerbate my breathing issues something fierce.



Man you’re a wealth of solid information, I was just looking at your other posts about Jardiance. I’ll definitely bring this info up to much Primary. I really appreciate it.

Amlodipine is a calcium channel blocker so that's a good one to take. I see no problem adding Telmisartan on top of that assuming your BP won't get too low since CCB's and ARB's are very routinely combined.

Happy to help when it comes to heart stuff, since I made mistakes and did some damage to it in my 20s, so I have spent a great deal of time learning ways to improve it.

 

[bbxtreme]

My primary placed me on a calcium channel blocker “amlodipine“, but I’ve been wondering if I should ask for an Ace or an ARB on top of it. I know I’ve tried telimsartan in the past (self prescribed) and gave me massive heart palpitations. Also nebivolol seemed to seriously exacerbate my breathing issues something fierce.



Man you’re a wealth of solid information, I was just looking at your other posts about Jardiance. I’ll definitely bring this info up to much Primary. I really appreciate it.

I would have a cardiologist order you a CPET test along with a CT calcium score just to be safe at this stage.

While I believe cardio and lifestyle changes will help here I also would want to rule out any blockages or other items just as a precaution.