Mitral

[tinamich]

I am a 30 year old restaurant owner who started having problems about 3 months ago.  I started getting dizzy and short of breat at work.  My hear would also race and I would feel like I'm about to pass out.  My doctor refferred me to have an echo done.
It showed moderate mitral valve and aortic valve regurgitation. I have been feeling signifigantly worse to the point that I haven't worked in a month.  My cardiologist has tried covera hs 180, and 240 which didn't work and I am now on dilitziam 180 mg which has also not worked.  I am in agony yet my cardiologist acts like I should learn to deal wit it.  He doesn't seem to understand my symptoms are severe.  Don't  you think that he ought to be doing other tests??? I really need some relief from my symptoms!!!

[CCF-M.D.-RCJ]

ttmich,

Sorry to read of your symptoms.

If you are having symptoms that are not being adequately addressed, then it's time to seek another opinion.

If your symptoms are from the valvular disease, then further work-up is indicated.  Two possible tests to consider would include a stress echo and holter monitor.  The stress echo would help measure your exercise capacity as well as the changes in pressures in your heart during the stress.  A holter monitor will help evaluate for rhythm disturbances that could be leading to the symptoms.

Also, I feel that some part of the story is missing -- covera and diltiazem would be unusual medications to treat regurgitant valvular disease in the absence of other medical problems.

Hope that helps.

[debra21784]

Just a thought but, have you asked can theses areas of reuguratation be corrected /improved through valve replacement surgery?Have you had a TEE and have you considered another opinion from a cardiologist who specializes in valve disease? I'm not sure I would accept "live with it" as an option.Your quality of life has been severely impaired.Ihad only one valve done and I remember clearly how bad I felt with the profound fatigue and shortness of breath prior to surgery,it is no day in the park that's for sure.My former cardiologist didn't listen to me either.Thank heavens I found a cardiac surgeon who saw how severely I was compromised and he simply said "We can improve your quality of life and make you feel a whole lot better",and he did.The valve was surgically repaired and in 12weeks I felt better than ever.
Be your own advocate.

[tinamich]

I do have asthma, so I guess there are medicines I can't be on because of that!
  But I do need something for my suffering!!
I see another cardiologist tommarrow, is there anyting I should specifically ask him??????

[motley]

I also have moderate mitral regurgitation which worsens with  exercise (diagnosed on stress echo).  Am having shortness of breath with activity that did not used to make me short of breath as well as becoming fatigued more easily than usual.  Does anyone out there have any idea if these symptoms might be due to my heart condition or the tenormin I am on for mild hypertension and PVC's.  I find the fatigue to be extremely annoying.  My cardiologist does not seem to think these symptoms are a problem.