Need Information from other MVPers or people knowledge based

I am 27 year old female diagnosed recently with mitral valve prolapse w/moderate mitral regurgitation. My left ventricle is mildly enlarged, with an end diastalic diameter of 6.0cm (normal is up to 5.5cm). My blood pressure is always low. 100/50
He thinks I "may" benefit from afterload reduction with an ACE-Inhibitor, but need to regulate blood pressure to make sure it doesn't go much lower or I will be taken off the medcine. The medcine I'm on is Altace, he has started me on a low dose to see how it progresses.
I'm concerned with a few things. I'm tall, thin/athletic build. I suffer from shortness of breath just walking from my car to class. I can feel my heartbeat all the time. It is rapid often. I just had the worst chest pain (attack) yesterday while I was driving, thank goodness it passed. It seems like this is progressing very quickly for me. I'm worried about getting the surgery and he seems to be reluctant to give me that bad news. I want to hear the truth from others who have MVP, who have had surgery or know someone.
I have been a lifeguard for 13 years and I can't even do a lap in the pool anymore. Wouldn't believe how exhausted I am from a lot of work, as well as it wipes me out for that day. I need much more sleep then normal, this is becoming more demanding upon my body and changing my lifestyle all together.
If he suggests I should get the surgey, should I? I want to live a quality life and I'm not right now.
This medcine he has put me on hasn't been proven that it slows progression, however it has been proven to maintain low blood pressure. I have never had high blood pressure, it has always been extremely low especially, since I am an athlete or I use to be. I believe if they keep the blood pressure maintained that is another preventative measure to keep the valve from leaky more then it already it is.. Sorry wrote, so much. Just thought you should know everything about what is going on with me. I would appreciate any feedback. Thank you. I have spent the last 4 hours researching this and I'm just really worried.

[Momto3]

I also have MVP with moderate regurgitation.  With the enlarged ventricle and the symptoms you describe, has your doctor discussed a surgical evaluation with you?  As you probably know, there is a window of opportunity when repair is the best option.  After that, it is most likely a replacement that will be needed.  This is not to say that you need surgery, but I know that my I experienced SOB and my EF had dropped, I was scheduled for a TEE to get an up close look at the valve and what was going on.  Turns out, I was not a surgical candidate.  That was in 2000, and I still go for semi-annual echo and or stress echo.  

My BP always ran low unitl I had two ablaitons in 2003.  Then, it kinda went a little higher, with the systolic sometimes reaching the low 140's.  My doctor also prescribed an ACE for optimal BP control and with the hopes of keeping the valve in good working order.

You would love valvereplacement.com.  Aside from a lot of resources, the site has a lot of members (you don't have to join) who have had, or may someday have valve surgery.  There are also lots of family members and significant others who share stories and information.  Good luck with your search for information.  Hope you are feeling better.

[bzmed]

I am very much like you...mitral valve regurgitation (moderate).  I can actually hear the turbulence (as can anyone else standing near me) in the mornings when brushing my hair and various times throughout the day.  I am tired too and have some left atrium enlargement.  Both my leaflets are affected.  

I did not have a history of high blood pressure at the time they started me on the Altace.  I have been on a beta blocker for some years now for another issue but about 3 months ago the cardiologist added 10 mg of Altace.  I took it for 2 months with minor issues (slight dizziness, tiredness etc) but during the 3rd month about 4 hours after I would take it it would drop my BP down to the 80/50 range.  At that point I would have to sit or lay down (while I was trying to get dinner on the table) and I was feeling physically nauseous.  Also, at night my legs began to itch.  I called cardiologist and they took me off the Altace.  When I went back in...he alerted me that we might be looking at surgery in the future (I guess because I was not tolerating the ACE Inhibitor).  We are now in a wait and see mode.  My next echo is in November but I am having some additional symptoms now so I may be going back in before that time.

This has just been my experience with Altace.  The doctor said I was allergic (I guess due to the leg itching).  I think it is used to slow the progression but it doesn't stop it.  And personally, I would prefer to do the surgery earlier than when I am 10 years older and my heart is that much more damaged.  I might feel differently if I knew for sure that it would be a replacement and not a repair.  Then I would delay as long as I could due to the required life long commitment to blood thinners.  It is a tough choice.  I have decided that for my situation I am going to try to hang in there until June 2008 because next school year is my last child's senior year of high school and I don't want to be layed up for part of that year!  Of course if there is a significant change in my heart then I may have to go before that time.  :-(

Good luck to you!

bzmed

[laua]

I have had a stress test , echo, and cath done ,my stress and echo test were inregular but all my cath test were fine, but i still have the chest pain and my doctor told my husband that they may have to still go in and repair to keep me from having a heart attrack what should I do?