Audible clicking noise

[protien]

I am 23 years old. Have been weight lifting for about 7 years real hard with heavy weights and little aerobic exercise. In the last 4 years I have experienced disturbing palpatations, transient and slight SOB, and irregular hearbeat especially when I lie on my left side. In the last 10 months I began an aerobic routine of running,  I have heard on many occassions,  a audible clicking noise immediately after I stop running or when I 'bear down' during exertion.  I went to my doc who ordered a echo (the kind that went on my anterior chest, I think that's a 3-d) a 12 lead was done that showed a NSR and a holter monitor.  The only thing the echo showed was that my left ventricle diastolic diameter was like 0.2 above the normal range, everything else was negative except it did say my left ventricle was vigorously contracting. My insurance was dropped and don't know the results of my holter. I haven't been back to this doc. I am concerned about the clicking noise and what it could be since it has increased in frequency lately. My BP is extremely labile whereby I may be 160/110 one minute and 110/70 the next. My pulse is slow 45-60 always has been since high school. I do feel tired often however, this is hard to judge since I work night shift and am often sleep deprived. I exercise well without chest pain or any near or actual syncopal episodes. I adapted well to aerobic exercise and run 6:00 miles. History of MVP on mothers side. My peripheral pulse is visible and bounding especially my left carotid. Is there any chance this is normal or does it sound serious. Thank you!

[jemm]

Dear Protien,

I have learned alot over the last couple of years re MVP, and though I am not a doctor, it seems MVP could well be the cause of your problems. I have read research which states that a surprising 40-50% of cases of MVP are missed by echocardiogram (ECG). A web site that may prove useful to you is www.mitralvalveprolapse.com , it  is very informative. I also have a very good book written by a well respected specialist in the condition! Please feel free to email me for more info - or to discuss, at ***@****

regards,
Jemm......

[CCF-M.D.-KE]

Palpitations:

Palpitations are the sensation that your heart is beating. It is unclear what the clicking noise is that you are experiencing. Given that your echocardiogram was normal from what you describe, it is probably not serious and should be followed. I doubt it is MVP, the echocardiogram would have shown this.

Since you have been experiencing an irregular heart beat, it would be a good idea to follow-up on your holter monitor results to see if this represents a rhythm problem. Discuss with your doctor.

If you have blood pressure measurements that are occassionaly 160/110, you need to be followed and likely treated for hypertension. I would discuss this with your doctor. Hypertension may lead to thickening of the walls of the heart.

Your pulse of 45 to 60 is not worrisome. People who are well conditioned typically have low pulse rates.


Thanks for your question,



CCF-MD-KE