Are HBP and valvular disease correllated?

Im 38 yr old female. Up til recently had very low BP, 90's/60's. Then, out of the blue, started getting dizzy and really bad headaches, and chest pains. At 16, was diagnosed with MVP. I work at a school, so I went down to have BP checked, it was 140/94. IT kept going up, after a week of getting it checked, I went to my FP. He checked it it was 155/110. He put me on Atenolol 25 mg. that didnt work so he increased it to 50 mg. I was sent for echo, which they found, mild mitral valve regurgitation and moderate tricuspid regurgitation. I had the stress test, holtor monitor, kidneys checked. They were all okay. My father had heart disease and his mother did also. My question is "IS this a progressive thing?" Are the HBP and the valvular disease correllated? Or is a seperate issue? Im trying to make sense of this? I get this pulsating in my neck, and pounding in my chest alot. I was told its nothing to worry about. Its very uncomfortable feeling! Any thoughts would be appeciated. Thanks!

[CCF-M.D.-RCJ]

Dressagequeen,

Thanks for the post.

The valvular regurgitation is unlikely related to the blood pressure.   Someitmes very high blood pressure can lead to increased leaking, but high blood pressure in and of itself will not lead to leaking without another underlying mechanism.

Many things can lead to a new diagnosis or worsening of hypertension: weight gain, stress, medications, and alcohol just to name a few.  Essential hypertension is the most common reason for hypertesnion, but you are on the younger side of people with this diagnosis.

The chest pounding is called palpitation: it has numerous different causes.  Talk to your doctor about establishing a diagnostic plan to determine what is causing the palpitations.

Hope that helps.

[catmom523]

I was diagnosed with MVP in 79; had another echo in 90; then no one checked anything after that.  I ended up with congestive heart failure in January of this year because my mitral valve deteriorated so badly that my tricuspid was damaged, and my left ventricle was enlarged.  Had mitral valve replaced in February.  Had very high bp, cardio said was result of valve problems (I'd always had low bp prior to this).  Keep an eye on your valve problems.  If you need a repair it's better done sooner than later.