Just found out I have Mild MVP and Mild MR at 52 years old

[eve992]

I am 52 years old, just found out I have Mild MVP and Mild Mitral regurgitation. My Echo results show.   1, Normal left ventricular systolic function.   2. Grade 1 diastolic dysfunction consistent with impaired relaxation and normal filling pressures.   3. Ejection fraction est. 67%(shows 69% in details of report.    4. Mild MVP  5.Mild mitral valve reg.  6. physiologic tricuspid valve regurgitation.   7. Mild calcification of aortic valve.   8. trace aortic valve reg.   9. aortic arch measures 3.24cm.   10. Mild right ventricular dilatation.    This is the first time in my life I was told about this.  Stress test was good, I walk or use my treadmill everyday for 30 to 60 min or more.  I am 5' 7" 135 pounds, eat healthy( just some history) What are the chances this can get worse?  I was reading about classic and non classic MVP having to do with leaflet thickening, how do I know which I have? My cardiologist says it usually gets worse in your 50s and mine is ok, but  can it get worse in my 60s? My HDL chol is 100 but bp can go over 140/90 but most of the time under, not on meds for that but eat garlic every day and exercise so most of the time about 120/80 now. Thank you

[achillea]

I am not a doctor, but for many years have been what is called a "reader" for a professor of human anatomy and physiology.  In other words, if you took one of these classes around here, I probably would have read and corrected your exams.

However, I also am a heart patient, and information gets pretty specific when it is your own!  It is a little bit different from reading about it in a textbook or hearing it in a lecture.

I myself have mild aortic regurgitation.  Testing over the years has shown that it is quite stable.  I no longer worry about it.

Mild diastolic dysfunction just means that your left ventricle is not relaxing as quickly as a young person's does, so it does not receive as generous a fillup, either.  As we age, this is so common as to be almost 'normal.'  However, you will want to make sure your blood pressure is wll under control, so if your doctor suggests something stronger than garlic, by all means, try it.

Here is more information for you about this:

http://www.learntheheart.com/DiastolicDysfunction.html

Try not to worry sbout this.  We all get older, and after 50, things are different from the way they were when we were 30.  Keep on doing what you doing right now, amd enjoy your life.

[Smiley2000]

Hi there,

I know it is very scary when you hear from a Cardiologist that your valves are leaking and thickening and all the medical lingo.  

I had MVP diagnosed for the 1st time in my life when I was 31 and before my 33 birthday I was in total heart failure and really bad shape and had open heart surgery to repair mitral valve.

This sounds scary and it was, but the point I wanted to make:  I had a lot of symptoms (shortness of breath with minimal excertion and while I was talking), chest pains, lethargic, fluid retention, Atrial fib and other arrthythmias.

Echo's and Cardiology visits are necessary to monitor heart function, size, etc. but overall your body will tell you when you need to worry.

Most patients with valve regurgs do not require surgical intervention and if you don't have alarming symptoms of heart failure you'll be alright.

Hope the info helped you and keep up the healthy-lifestyle!

[eve992]

Thank you for all your information.  Do you work in an type of medical field or is this information just from you learning on your own over the years.I know that knowledge is helpful.  Hopefully the more I know the more I understand and worry less.Do you have a trace or mild aortic valve regurgitation. Do you know anything about the grade 1-- diastolic dysfunction?  I have a cardiologist and will be going back for an echo in about 11 months.