Diagnosed with mitral valve prolapse, symptoms getting slightly worse, what next?
Posted , 3 users are following.
Hi, after several months of hospital visits and almost every '-ologist' doctor visits, I have finally found the cause behind my symptoms which have been getting worse over time (chest pains and the feeling of tightness, shortness of breath and general random trouble breathing whether there was some physical activity or no physical activity, heart palpitations, fainting and dizziness spells, tremors and shakiness, lightheadedness, fatigue). I went to a cardiologist, whom gave me an echocardiogram, and I was diagnosed with mitral valve prolapse, although most people suffering from this heart disorder don't have any symptoms at all throughout their whole lives.The main results from the echo: enlarged left ventricle, mitral regurgitation, MVP. The cardiologist also did an ECG and confirmed heart arrythmia and IRBBB. After the cardiology visit, I was told to wear a holter for 24 hours and currently I am still waiting for the results, which I will recieve in 2-3 weeks. And this will show if I need medication, surgery or simply just to change my lifestyle. I'm writing on this forum to find out from anyone who suffers from the same heart disorder, how they went through it, if they recieved treatment. I simply want to find out something more from people who went through the same thing I am going through and if having all these symptoms every single day means that the mitral regurgitation is severe or moderate??
?Thank you!
0 likes, 12 replies
derek76 martyna51475
Posted
Posting your problem in more than one group does not really get you more response as most Forumites tend to be subscribed to selvral groups..
From your quite severe stated symptoms I would say that you are a candidate for a valve replacement. You don't say how old you are or how long you have had the symptoms or how bad your lifestyle is although arrythmia and the valve problem and are not things that you can really change that way.
martyna51475 derek76
Posted
I am 18 years old, my symptoms started in April and have been getting worse since... Been to the hospital at least 5 times since, but after all the blood tests and ecg's, the doctors said everything is fine with me and sent me home each time. Been to Poland a week ago and that is when I was diagnosed with MVP. My lifestyle is pretty healthy, although I have lost a lot of weight lately (over the course of 3 weeks) for some strange unknown reason, as there have been no changes whatsoever in my diet etc. My normal weight used to be 54, now it is 46 (don't know if that's relevant).
derek76 martyna51475
Posted
martyna51475 derek76
Posted
The holter and echocardiogram was done in Poland, as English doctors kept sending me back home after every visit to the GP or hospital, according to them everything was fine with me, said the cause behind my symptoms was just because I am growing up. So after losing all hope, I went to Poland and after the first ecg showed arrythmia - the doctor did an echocardiogram, just in case, without me having to ask for it (like i did in the UK, but didn't get it here anyway). The doctor was a bit worried with my severe symptoms but hasn't said anything about treatment yet, as the results still haven't come from the holter. But I am still worried that I may need replacement/repair, the whole thought of a heart surgery is still a little scary for me...
?Is aortic valve stenosis a serious condition??
derek76 martyna51475
Posted
'Is aortic valve stenosis a serious condition' Mine was at the stage when diagnosed where it was 76% closed and only give me two years if it was not replaced. At that time unlike you seem to be I had not yet developed any symptoms. I had it replaced in 2012.
Do you have to return to Poland for your results? It is very strange that it was not picked up here as both AF and a murmur are easily heard on examination.
martyna51475 derek76
Posted
Oh wow, im so sorry you had to go through that.. After the replacement everything is well now??
?Yes, unfortunately I would need to go to Poland to recieve the results. And despite having a typical physical examination, the doctors didn't hear anything "unusual", however in Poland when I had a physical examination, the doctor heard the murmur straight away.
?Also I wanted to ask if having these severe symptoms indicates that there is also severe mitral regurgitation? I can't seem to find out anything about how symptoms relate to the severity of my heart condition..
derek76 martyna51475
Posted
Yes the replaced valve is working well but as often happens with heart surgery I went into AF during it. Missing out all the long story I now have a pacemaker.
I'm obviously not qualified to say but it does seem that your symptoms are related to your mitral valve.
laura62283 martyna51475
Posted
Am 32 years of age female , I was diagnosed with the same 6 months ago and also have a bicuspid valve symptoms getting so much worse An also pain in my chest is more sharp pain . Had Mri scan and echo in December just waiting results from cardiolosigt just hope there is something that will be done , aortic stenosis is mild aortic regurgitation is moderate with a swelling on aortic opening or something.
martyna51475 laura62283
Posted
Will you recieve any treatment for your condition?
laura62283 martyna51475
Posted
I hope so Martyna as it's getting worse the pain , I have also fainted a few times in work now . The consultant said I can't be put on beta blockers as am asthmatic. Just hope they do something soon. What treatments have you been offered.
martyna51475 laura62283
Posted
Oh my... I have the same, my pains are so bad, usually its accompanied by being dizzy, trouble breathing and my hands or muscles shake (tremors). Fainted only 2-4 times. I can't even go up the stairs without having to stop at the top to catch my breath. Hopefully they'll suggest an alternative to beta-blockers for you, it's obvious that treatment is needed, these symptoms are affecting the quality of your life.. I haven't been offered any treatment yet, as I am still waiting for holter results
But I do hope they will offer my some kind of treatment, because I think my symptoms are just getting worse.
Scotgal martyna51475
Posted
Hi, Your correct, many people aren't even aware that they have MVP, but I can
assure you there are many people who are aware of the symptoms, like skipped heart
beats ( extra systoles), feeling faint, weak, chest pain, but they don't bother to go
to a specialist, thus they never learn why they're having these symptoms. I learned
of such a condition many years ago after seeing a specialist for these very symptoms you mention. However, I don't have an enlarged left ventricle, but rather
an enlarged right ventricle due to a congenital heart defect. The defect is of much
more concern to me as it has caused me to develop right side heart failure. At my age (63) I will not risk surgery as I could end up worse. My condition is being managed pharmacuetically. I have a pulmonary condition that complicates matters, but am under the care of a good pulmonary doctor. Your doc should have told you if you regurgitation is of a moderate or severe degree. I have a 90 year old
mother who also has MVP and her regurgitation is of a moderate degree. She gets out of breath easily, which is common with this condition, but she also has diabetes
and chronic renal failure. I don't know how old you are, but please try to remain positive, it's not the end of the world.