How serious is this?

My husband was diagnosed 10 months ago with Mitral Valve incompetence, Left Ventricular Hypertrophy and Right Atrium enlargement. He'd had some arrythmia but 24 hour tape showed him in sinus rhythm For the last 4 weeks he's been feeling very tired, weak, breathless, light-headed and having episodes of palpitations. Local doctor sent him to hospital for checks - his ECG showed sinus rhythm. He was prescribed Ramapril for bloodpressure - took them for 10 days but stopped after 10 days as was feeling worse. He washed the car on Saturday and felt dreadful - legs wobbly and extremely fatigued. Walked a short 10 minute walk yesterday to get a newspaper and came back feeling the same. Anybody got any ideas on what is happening - he is usually a fit healthy man doesn't drink, doesn't smoke, normal weight, slim build, age 63. Would appreciate any thoughts - thank you

[kenkeith]

Q: "My husband was diagnosed 10 months ago with Mitral Valve incompetence, Left Ventricular Hypertrophy and Right Atrium enlargement".

>>>>>Mitral valve is the one-way opening for blood to pass from the upper chamber to lower chamber (left ventricle, pumping chamber).  The leaflets should block any back flow from the ventricle into the upper chamber, and the leaflets do not properly close the opening (orifice) and the regurgitation can be mild to severe.

If the regurgation is severe there can be left ventricular hypertrophy (pathologically  enlarged).  Because not all the blood pumped with each heartbeat gets into circulation, the LV will enlarge to compensate.   Right atrium enlargement can cause a heart rhythm disorder. The system's pacemaker produces electrical impulses and it originates in the right ventricle.

Low cardiac output due to mitral valve regurgitation can cause the symptoms your husband is experiencing.  Hope this provides some insight to the possibilities for the symptoms and thanks for sharing, and if you have any further questions or comments you are welcome to respond.  Take care and I wish you and your husband well going forward.

Ken