Aortic Regurgitation

[Puppy]

Hi, I have had a moderate to severe aortic regurgitation, my cardiologist advised me to take medication to lower my blood pressure with an intention to mitigate the back flow of blood. I am now on Betaloc 100mg, Imdur 60mg and Aprovel 300mg. I feel quite well at this present moment. I notice that recently my systolic pressure measured from my left arm is always about 20 readings higher than those measured from the right arm while the diastolic pressure is always more or less the same from both arms(which is around 50).

Is that symptom is normal for aortic regurgitation or is it a symptom for other serious heart disease ?

[Avel]

I noticed that you mention a bicuspid aortic valve. Having a bicupsid aortic valve is a risk factor for developing an ascending aortic aneurysm. There is a medical paper regarding this published in Clinical Cardiology in 1998 by Dr. John M. Burks and other authors. The abstract of this paper is available on the web if you search through google for bicuspid aortic valve ascending aortic aneurysm. This paper recommends that the aorta of those with bicuspid valves be checked periodically with an echocardiogram, and also mentions medical treatment via a beta blocker. We did not know about this, and were surprised when an aneurysm was found long after my husband's bicuspid aortic valve was replaced. Fortunately it was found in time. I suggest taking a copy of the abstract or getting the entire paper and discussing this with your cardiologist.

[jimmyb]

I, too have a visible pulse...but have never been diagnosed with aortic regurgitation...I have none of the symptoms even though I work out six days a week. I do have a bicuspid aortic valve and am often aware of my heartbeat, mainly because I also suffer PVC's and have anxiety about it. Any suggestions? I've had every test in the book and they all come back fine. But the visible pulse thing is freaking me out a little bit. Thanks!

[Lee534]

I was reading some letters about aortic regurgitation and the wide difference between the systolic and diastolic blood pressure.  That is what I have been suffering lately.  My systolic will run anywhere from 129 (a.m.) to 164 (by p.m.) but my diastolic is anwhere from 51-75, mostly around 60's.  I find this very unusual.  I don't even know what aortic regurgitation and never been told that I have it.  How is it determined, by listening?  I am considering having an ultrasound done on my carotid arteries and also the aorta, has anyone done that? thank you so much for any help anyone can give me.  Lee534

[wilson-wilson]

you said: "visible pulse on your wrist, not seen in people without AI"

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I can see the pulse in my wrist and I don't have AI?  BP, [as of today at the Doc's office] was 2 points off in systolic 'tween right and left arm, diastolic was the same in each arm.

Maybe I'm reading [the above] part of your comment wrong?

wilson-wilson

[papaley]

Hi Puppy,
I also have moderate AI 3+, I'm on an ARB to decrease the pressure on the valve as well.  Same PB thing.  I think most people have a slight difference in each arm.  One sign of severe AI is a wide pulse pressure, that is low diastolic and high systolic, can be as much a 100 point difference between the two measurements.  Also a visible pulse on your wrist, not seen in people without AI.

Hope the doc agrees with me

[CCF-M.D.-CRC]

Dear puppy,
Aortic regurgitation does cause an increased gap between the systolic and the diastolic but not between arms.  Blockages in the arteries may cause a drop in pressure but there are other possible causes including mechanical factors on the blood pressure cuff that could be causing the difference.  I would take your machine into the doctors office and calibrate it there again their reading of both arms.