Mitral Valve / Congenital Adrenal Hyperplasia

  I am 34 and was diagnosed with Mitral Valvue Reguritation approx. 1.5 - 2 yrs ago.
  I also have a 4yr old son with Congenital Adrenal Hyperplasia.  When I have done
  some research on the Miral Valvue I find that the Adrenal gland itself can be a
  cause of this problem.  Because I know I must be a carrier of the bad gene that
  has caused my sons CAH I can't help but wonder if this may be the cause of
  my problem.  I also would like to know how serious the mitral valvue reguritation is
  or can be.  I feel because I am a woman and so young that my concerns have not
  been taken seriously.  I have a family history of heart conditions on both sides of my
  family, specifically my mothers side which is where I know my gene for the CAH
  comes from.  I do have symptoms, which is what brought about the diagnosis.
  I get server chest pain and suffer from periods of extreme exhaustion, which at my
  age, at times is depressing.  I also feel lately that the mode swings are becoming
  more frequent and can't help but wonder if it is all related.  Sometimes I feel
  like I am in a strangers body.  Any information you can supply would be
  greatly appreciated.
  Thank you

[CCF CARDIO MD APS]

_
Dear Judy,
It is highly unlikely that your carrying the CAH gene has anything to do with your mitral regurgitation (is your diagnosis mitral valve prolapse?)  Although the more we learn about genes, the more we find most conditions are genetically linked.  What you need to focus on Judy is your condition and not all the maybes you speak of above.  If you feel you are not being taken seriously, seek a second opinion, preferably at a heart center where valve disease is a commonly evaluated and treated condition (The Cleveland Clinic or a nearby academic university hospital.)  
Mitral regurgitation (MR) has more than a few causes, and depending on the cause, one can predict the likelihood that it will get worse.  MR associated with symptoms of fatigue or shortness of breath needs prompt attention to sort out if it is the valve regurgitation that is causing the sympotms, and if so, then there needs to be consideration given to repairing the valve.  A mildly leaky valve, even two mildly leaky valves in the heart will not cause such symptoms, however the evaluation is a bit more complicated than that.  
For those with MR, there should be regular follow up with the physician for physical exam and often an echocardiogram once a year or two to reevaluate.
I hope this information is useful. Information provided in the heart forum is for
general purposes only.  Only your physician can provided specific diagnoses and therapies.
Feel free to write back with further questions. Good luck!
If you would like to make an appointment at the Cleveland Clinic Heart Center, please
call 1-800-CCF-CARE or inquire online by using the Heart Center website at
www.ccf.org/heartcenter. The Heart Center website contains a directory of the
cardiology staff that can be used to select the physician best suited to address your
cardiac problem.