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Heart Disease (Expert Forum)
RHD; Mitral Valve Regurge
This forum is for questions and support regarding heart issues such as: Angina, Angioplasty, Arrhythmia, Bypass Surgery, Cardiomyopathy, Coronary Artery Disease, Defibrillator, Heart Attack, Heart Disease, High Blood Pressure, Mitral Valve Prolapse, Pacemaker, PAD, Stenosis, Stress Tests.
RHD; Mitral Valve Regurge
by Cristine, Dec 31, 2002 12:00AM
My 4 yr old son was dx'd with RHF this past summer and has been left with "moderate" degrees of mitral valve regurge, according to echos. Left ventricle and atria remain with inflammation, but otherwise valve appears good (no signs of stenosis or damage to leaflets). He is currently on prophalactic antibiotic therapy. My concern is his activity level. The pediatric cardiologist suggests letting my son set his own pace. My worry is that a 4 yr old will not stop to rest if it means leaving his friends. I have periodically caught him holding his chest. He denies pain but says it feels funny. No obvious SOB at these times. Besides these obvious times of "discomfort" when I make him sit down for "quiet time" how much excercise is allowed? Swim lessons? Playing on playground? etc. I'm concerned of causing further damage to the valve.
Any info would be greatly appreciated. I have done lit searches and can not find any research regarding excercise levels in relation to valve damage.
Any info would be greatly appreciated. I have done lit searches and can not find any research regarding excercise levels in relation to valve damage.
Doctor's Answer
by CCF-M.D.-RCJ, Dec 31, 2002 12:00AM
Christine,
Thank you for the questions. As a parent,I'm sorry to read of your ordeal.
I am not a pediatric cardiologist, but I will try to help in the ways in which I can.
First, I assume that RHF means rheumatic fever?
There is no evidence that physical activity leads to further damage to the valve, however, physical activity can lead to shortness of breath and fluid in the lungs in patients that have mitral regurgitation. If you are concerned that your son is continuing to have problems, then return to your cardiologist for another evaluation and discussion. If you have done this, and still feel that your son is not doing as well as he should, then seek another opinion.
His activity level needs to be defined by someone who has seen him. I certainly would be concerned about my child if I noticed that he/she was not keeping up with the other children. If this the case with you and your son, then seek another medical evaluation.
Hope that helps. Good luck.
Thank you for the questions. As a parent,I'm sorry to read of your ordeal.
I am not a pediatric cardiologist, but I will try to help in the ways in which I can.
First, I assume that RHF means rheumatic fever?
There is no evidence that physical activity leads to further damage to the valve, however, physical activity can lead to shortness of breath and fluid in the lungs in patients that have mitral regurgitation. If you are concerned that your son is continuing to have problems, then return to your cardiologist for another evaluation and discussion. If you have done this, and still feel that your son is not doing as well as he should, then seek another opinion.
His activity level needs to be defined by someone who has seen him. I certainly would be concerned about my child if I noticed that he/she was not keeping up with the other children. If this the case with you and your son, then seek another medical evaluation.
Hope that helps. Good luck.
