Cardiomegaly(enlarged heart)and the nypd.

[thecongo]

hello all, I recently received and echocardiogram after being put on medical review. The results came back normal with the exception if the size of my left atrium. The "max" for a left atrium to be considered normal is 4.0cm, mine is 4.6cm. Which basically means my heart is slightly enlarged. The dr also noted that I have no valvular abormalities or any mass/thrombus. I'm concerned that this might be grounds for a dq. I've never had palpitations, shortness of breath etc. I run 3x a week and am healthy. Any thoughts on this? Thanks.

[retdetsgt]

I have no idea what any of that means and I doubt many cops here that aren't MD's or at least RN's know either. It would take someone with medical training to know if it has any long term risks or not.

I suspect you will have to wait and see what NYPD says. The examining doctor didn't give you any hint?

[mcsap]

Will a MD state in writing that you are 100% fit and capable of doing the duties of a police officer ?

THATS what really matters.

[Sgt. Slaughter]

hello all, I recently received and echocardiogram after being put on medical review. The results came back normal with the exception if the size of my left atrium. The "max" for a left atrium to be considered normal is 4.0cm, mine is 4.6cm. Which basically means my heart is slightly enlarged. The dr also noted that I have no valvular abormalities or any mass/thrombus. I'm concerned that this might be grounds for a dq. I've never had palpitations, shortness of breath etc. I run 3x a week and am healthy. Any thoughts on this? Thanks.

If you only have 1 atrium that's "out of norm" with the other one and both ventricles being "normal," it's probably not going to be an issue unless the NYPD has a firm line on sizes of your internal organs. As stated above, the biggest issue is whether or not a MD or cardiologist will sign off and say you're healthy.

What was the original reason for a medical review? Cops get medical exams all the time, but not normally anything as detailed as you describe unless there's another issue.

[Sgt. Slaughter]

I have no idea what any of that means and I doubt many cops here that aren't MD's or at least RN's know either.

I'm not a doctor, but I did stay at a Holiday Inn Express once.

[retdetsgt]

I'm not a doctor, but I did stay at a Holiday Inn Express once.

Give a few beers and I'll be able to explain the whole thing. I may not always be right, but I'm never in doubt.

[Cat_Doc]

I'm not a doctor, but I did stay at a Holiday Inn Express once.

And, you seem care more than others about organ size!

[Sgt. Slaughter]

If you've got it, flaunt it!

[thecongo]

Thanks for the replies. I was never told why I was put on review. They just sent me a letter telling me to get an echodoppler. Initially they told me I passed the medical, but I'm assuming they looked over my paperwork and saw I had borderline hypertension. Also, I put I had a murmur as a child that doesn't exist anymore.
I guess I'm just jumping the gun. But I'm still very nervous about what they'll tell me once I submit the report this week. I really hope that, as stated above, all ill need is a letter from my primary DR. I appreciate the info fellas.

[MikeG]

Thanks for the replies. I was never told why I was put on review. They just sent me a letter telling me to get an echodoppler. Initially they told me I passed the medical, but I'm assuming they looked over my paperwork and saw I had borderline hypertension. Also, I put I had a murmur as a child that doesn't exist anymore.
I guess I'm just jumping the gun. But I'm still very nervous about what they'll tell me once I submit the report this week. I really hope that, as stated above, all ill need is a letter from my primary DR. I appreciate the info fellas.

Why not get the letter before submitting the report? Your Dr. might know what triggered review. I'm not Dr. or LEO either but I would think the concern of any municipality is long term cardiac stuff even if your healthy now. Those HR risk management types don't like it when 35 Y/O cops go on disability or, God forbid die, after heart attack.

[thecongo]

Why not get the letter before submitting the report? Your Dr. might know what triggered review. I'm not Dr. or LEO either but I would think the concern of any municipality is long term cardiac stuff even if your healthy now. Those HR risk management types don't like it when 35 Y/O cops go on disability or, God forbid die, after heart attack.

Precisely my concern. The nypd is a special kinda place, I tried bringing them a letter from my doc in regards to something else and it was pretty much useless, as they had me go back to the doc and have him fax all medical records. Ill just do as they say I guess.

[retdetsgt]

I can't speak for any other department, but hearts, backs and knees are of major concern. Those are the things that are apt to put someone on disability if they come on totally healthy, much less have any preexisting condition.

We also don't accept letters from any doctors other than our own. We pick the cardiologist you go to and he forwards his report to us. In fact, we routinely send all applicants to three MD's, an internist, a cardiologist and an orthopedic specialist for initial exams. If one says there is a problem, that's the end of it. No appeal, no more doctors, good bye.

[thecongo]

Update: I was cleared, and taken off review! After the Doc reviewed the paperwork, he listened to my heart and said I was good to go. He said the only time that the enlargement would be a problem is if its associated with a hole in your heart(jeez, I would think so!) needless to say out of 15 of us there on review only about 7 left medically cleared, and all with ear to ear smiles.

[Sgt. Slaughter]

Congratulations.

[greg72982]

The ladies tell me I have an enlarged heart.