Heart challenges

[jacqueingermany]

I have recently been to the cardiologist and am continuing with tests. I have high BP 150/95. I wore a 24 BP cuff. I have always had Mitral Valve Prolapse without problems. Now a special "Bubble Echo" showed the flap between my atria didn't close after birth. And lastly while the Dr. was doing the echo I was having irregular heartbeats. Next is a 24 hour EKG. One of the various doctors said that each of these things in and of themselves is harmless, but with all of them together it is a concern. I swim (train) 2 times a week and jog 2 times a week and am a 47 year old female.

Any help out there???

[jacqueingermany]

Thanks Jerry for your encouragement. I do have to say that preventive measures here in Europe are good. I guess I am still just a capitalist at heart (no pun intended) that the more a doctor can get paid, the more you will ge the top people. Here in Germany Doctors DO NOT make the kind of money as in America, so I would say the "cream of the crop" is going into other fields (not medicine)...the good part about that is that most doctors actually become MDs because they want to help people!!

All that said, I had not been to a cardiologist in 12 years and all these things were found in a routine check-up. I have never taken meds for my MVP and all the other things are new.I will have a 24 hour EKG in beginning of January, then I will sit down with my cardiologist, but I want to be prepared and know all my options.

[Jerry_NJ]

Okay, now I get your "handle" Jacque in Germany.  

I'm a little surprised to read your concern about the lack of expertise in Germany.  Many critics of the US health care system point to how wonderful things are in Europe, and Germany is one of the most advanced European countries.

I wonder if the concern about the combination of things has anything to do with what medications you can take.  For example, does the leak between the atria mean you can't take a blood thinner (coumadin) but the irregular heart beat may suggest the need for such a drug, same for beta blocker or even arrhythmia drugs.

I have undergone open heart surgery, the old fashioned way, and can say a surgeon can do marvelous things to the body and organs.  I'd think repairing a flap between the atria would be a "slam dunk"... but I don't know for sure, just trying to be positive.  I've sure too that the cost $$$ of surgery is very high here in the USA.      

[jacqueingermany]

Hi Jerry,

thanks for your comment. Yes, prior to birth the blood does not need to circulate through the lungs, but from the mother, it should close after birth, 25% of people it doesn't close completely.

Unfortunately I don't live in the USA anymore, but Germany. If I ever really needed surgery, I would attempt to have it done in the states.

I just haven't been able to get much information about when these things occur together. Each diagnosis has a lot of info, but not all together.

Thanks for your input.

[Jerry_NJ]

While a very serious surgical procedure, heart valve repair/replacement is commonplace in hospitals that support those procedures.  The new robotic methods that do not require opening up the chest and heart appear to be the way of the future.  

I'm not saying you need surgery, that's for your doctors to advise, I'm just saying whatever you may need relative to your description the "know-how" is available.

I do not understand your statement about a "flap between my atria".  Are you saying that the left and right atria have a direct passageway at birth, but that it normally grows closed, flap grows closed?