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Heart Disease (Expert Forum)
Ferritine effects on valves?
This forum is for questions and support regarding heart issues such as: Angina, Angioplasty, Arrhythmia, Bypass Surgery, Cardiomyopathy, Coronary Artery Disease, Defibrillator, Heart Attack, Heart Disease, High Blood Pressure, Mitral Valve, Pacemaker, PAD, Stenosis, Stress Tests
Doctor's Answer
by CCF CARDIO MD - DLB, Oct 22, 1999 12:00AM
Certain genetic disorders such as hemochromatosis can cause markedly elevated levels of ferritin and iron. This can lead to irreversible damage of the heart if left untreated. It would be unlikely to affect the valves without causing a cardiomyopathy as well.
I am 32 years old now and have significant raised levels of ferritine for years (I would have to check the iron levels).
1.
Is it possible that it affects the heart now (whilst I am in my 30s) or would it have been detected earlier?
2.
How should it be detected?
3.
should a mild valve problem now be checked again later? after a year? longer?
Thanks, Mariette
A markedly elevated iron level can damage the heart and lead to heart failure. It would not typically lead to isolated mild valve problems.