Does Anyone Out There Mitral Valve Reg?

[Jody71572]

What are you symptoms?  Please tell me so I know it's not just me.  I feel terrible.

[Momto3]

Hi Jody,

Kenkeith is right, I have known about my MR for 25-30 years.  I'm not sure how it was classified early on since I never really asked.  No one seemed overly concerned and the doctor just asked that I follow up with periodic checkups.  I have at least one echocardiogram per year (sometimes 2-3), and the MR remains stable.  It has been evaluated as 2 - 3+ (on a scale of 1-4).  The ACC and the AHA have outlined guidelines for the timing of surgical intervention based on symptoms, the heart's ability to pump efficiently, chamber sizes and the volume of regurg.  

You might be interested in checking out the ACC guidelines for patients with valvular disease for more detailed information.   http://content.onlinejacc.org/cgi/content/full/48/3/e1

Take care and be sure to report any new or worsening symptoms to your doctor.

Incidentally, I've heard the same thing (Cleveland Clinic) as Kenkeith mentioned with regard to the importance of timing for patients who are considered surgical candidates.

[kenkeith]

You ask a question that really does not have any answer or at least a not a very good answer and your concern has support.  There is a school of thought within the medical community (Mayo Clinic valve surgeon) who states he often sees patients that have waited too long as an operational procedure should be done before the heart develops other issues such as an enlargement of the left ventricle, etc.

Momto3, community leader,  has had moderate-severe valve regurgitation for many years without a problem. She may have more information on the subject that can be of help.

[Jody71572]

Thank you.  My problem is I have all the symptoms that seems to keep getting worse.  I was diagnosed in 2005 with mild.  I unexpectenly got pregnant and that's when they told me it was now moderate to severe.  Now and many test later, Im getting worse while on medication and having a hard time functioning with everyday duties and work.  My job is for the most part is sitting and typing but when I have to get up to go to the copier (50 feet away) Im out of breath and chest pain.  Ive been  to doctors and more doctors and they say my leak isn't big enough yet to fix the valve.  In the meantime, it's hard to lay flat on my back, Im so weak and the chest pain gets to be unbearable.  I thought maybe I was crazy because the doctor's seem to think I should be worse before fixing the valve. I just want to feel better and raise my three children like before I was diagnosed.  What should I do.  By the way, Im on my fourth med still with complications, they work for about 3 months then the symptoms get worse.

[kenkeith]

Signs and symptoms of mitral valve regurgitation depend on its severity and how quickly the condition develops. Most often mitral valve regurgitation is mild and progresses slowly. You may have no symptoms for decades and be unaware that you have this condition.

When signs and symptoms develop, they often do so gradually because the heart is able to compensate for the valve defect for some time. Mitral valve regurgitation is often first suspected when your doctor hears a new heart murmur. Sometimes, however, the disorder develops quickly, and you may experience the abrupt onset of more severe signs and symptoms. Indicators of mitral valve regurgitation include:

Shortness of breath, especially with exertion or when you lie down
Fatigue, especially during times of increased activity (deficit of blood supply to skeletal muscles)
Lightheadedness
Cough, especially at night or when lying down (may indicate congestive heart failue)
Heart palpitations — sensations of a rapid, fluttering heartbeat
Swollen feet or ankles (peripheral edema caused by heart failure)
Heart murmur

I have known about my mitral valve regurgitation for little more than 4 years. It is classified as moderate to severe.  It becomes a problem as some of the blood that should be pumped into circulation back flows into the upper chamber.  The loss of blood pumped into circulation can cause symptoms.  At the present time medication and system's compensatory mechanisms enables me for normal activities, exercise, etc.

[dyn10]

Yes but the doctor is watching it's progression
I go every 6 months. Symptoms: tired, palps.