Bicuspid Heart Valve

[armyav8r]

I am currently 28 years old.  I have known that I have a heart murmur since I was an infant.  I never really asked why, because I was told it was an innocent heart murmur and I shouldn't have to worry about it.  However, I had an Army dentist that refused to see me until I had seen a cardiologist.  I have now learned quit a lot more about my condition.  I am waiting to hear if the Army will continue to allow me to be on flight status, which affects my full-time work.  Now that I know about this I will be taking the antibiotics before any procedures as is recommended.  My question is how often do I need to have my heart and valves closely checked?  I have had no other symptoms other than the heart murmur, which is only caught occassionly.  Do I need to make this part of my annual physical, or should it be done more/less often?

[kenkeith]

Recently, after many years the AMA/AHA no longer take the position that anitbiotics are necessary prior to dental procedures for a valve disorder.  Annual physical with auscultation (stethoscope) should be adequate.