30 year old with Mild aortic stenosis

[diazmommy]

Hello,

I am a 30 year old with a history of autoimmune disease (Hash.).... right now I am in a temporary remission. However, I have been having chest pains, shortness of breath, hot flashes, agitation/irritability, palpitations, and a gurguling/pounding feeling in my chest (that is painful---it only comes periodically). I have had palpitations since my early 20's but always blamed it on stress.  When my thyroid was messed up.........my symptoms were blamed on that. However, now that my thryoid levels are well, I am still having problems.  

I went to my Dr. and he did a EKG and echocardiogram. The echo came back with mild aortic stenosis. However, I have trileaflets.....so that area if fine?  There was some mention of regurgitation in mitral valve.  My question is: are echo's always accurate? If I do not have a bicuspid condition, can you still have aortic stenosis? Should I be concerned?  I am awaiting a referral to a cardiologist.  Thanks!

[Cleveland Clinic]

Your cardiologist should look at your echo to be certain.  The symptoms you are describing are not from AS or MR.  It is possible that you have some AV involvement due to a previous episode of rheumatic feve, although, this is very unlikely..  It is also very unlikely to have sclerotic AV at your age.  Bicuspid valve is, therefore, a possibility and that's why you should see a cardiologist.  

[markmsn10]

I'm not a DR so my help may not be useful but my understanding is:

Definition of aortic stenosis is generally done by both antegrade flows across the valve as well as AVA (Aortic Valve Area) in combination.   Antegrade flows of less than 10mmHG can be considered normal (high output of normal heart) above that may be consideration of mild aortic stenosis due to increased flow.   What is the general appearance of the leaflets?   Any calcification?   Normal aortic root size?

I have increased flow (appearently) across both my pulmonary and aortic valves.  11.2mmHG and 8.4mmHG respectively.   Nobody has ever said I had stenosis as the valves appeared fine.   Unless I'm understanding this wrong alltogether.

[diazmommy]

Oh....P.S.  EKG looked "probably normal for age".  Thanks!