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Heart Disease (Expert Forum)
Re: Mitral Valve & Bicuspid Aortic Valve
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.
Re: Mitral Valve & Bicuspid Aortic Valve
by CCF CARDIO MD DLB, Jan 01, 1995 12:00AM
Posted By CCF CARDIO MD - DLB on December 24, 1998 at 09:40:50:
In Reply to: Mitral Valve & Bicuspid Aortic Valve posted by RMLapointe on December 23, 1998 at 21:41:25:
Hi, I'm a 41 year old female just diagnosed with Mitral Valve Prolapse
(mild regurgitation) as well as a bicsupid aortic valve. I know what these
mean seperately but I don't know what they mean together. I watch my
weight, eat properly, keep stress at a minimum, and exercise moderately.
I do antibiotics during dental procedures and keep myself hydrated. In this
way I am able to keep my symptoms (fatigue, dizziness, tachycardia) at bay.
My family has a history of enlarged hearts and early deaths. I'm not overly
concerned but would like to know what I should look forward to and how
this condition should be monitored. What questions should I be asking
my physician? Thanks for any advice.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Dear RML
Personally, I feel that you should be evaluated by a cardiologist every 6-12 months and have periodic echocardiograms, as determined by that cardiologist. Bicuspid aortic valves tend to become problematic with time and there is a good chance that you might eventually need surgery. Fortunately, they tend to get worse slowly, most of the time. I am not sure what the fatigue, dizziness, and tachycardia are from if you have only mild regurgitation and if the aortic valve is not too tight or leaking. If those symptoms are severe, I would not just attribute them to mitral valve prolapse. It sounds like you are doing all the right things. You may want to check with your doctor and make sure that the aortic valve is not stenotic or regurgitant and confirm that the left ventricular function is normal. If you are having tachycardia, a Holter monitor or event monitor might be a good idea to make sure you do not have any dangerous heart rhythms.
I hope this has been useful. Feel free to write back with further questions. Good luck.
Information provided here is of a general nature. Specific diagnoses and treatments can only be made by your doctor. If you would like to be seen at the Cleveland Clinic, please call 1-800-CCF-CARE for an appointment with a cardiologist at Desk F15.
In Reply to: Mitral Valve & Bicuspid Aortic Valve posted by RMLapointe on December 23, 1998 at 21:41:25:
Hi, I'm a 41 year old female just diagnosed with Mitral Valve Prolapse
(mild regurgitation) as well as a bicsupid aortic valve. I know what these
mean seperately but I don't know what they mean together. I watch my
weight, eat properly, keep stress at a minimum, and exercise moderately.
I do antibiotics during dental procedures and keep myself hydrated. In this
way I am able to keep my symptoms (fatigue, dizziness, tachycardia) at bay.
My family has a history of enlarged hearts and early deaths. I'm not overly
concerned but would like to know what I should look forward to and how
this condition should be monitored. What questions should I be asking
my physician? Thanks for any advice.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Dear RML
Personally, I feel that you should be evaluated by a cardiologist every 6-12 months and have periodic echocardiograms, as determined by that cardiologist. Bicuspid aortic valves tend to become problematic with time and there is a good chance that you might eventually need surgery. Fortunately, they tend to get worse slowly, most of the time. I am not sure what the fatigue, dizziness, and tachycardia are from if you have only mild regurgitation and if the aortic valve is not too tight or leaking. If those symptoms are severe, I would not just attribute them to mitral valve prolapse. It sounds like you are doing all the right things. You may want to check with your doctor and make sure that the aortic valve is not stenotic or regurgitant and confirm that the left ventricular function is normal. If you are having tachycardia, a Holter monitor or event monitor might be a good idea to make sure you do not have any dangerous heart rhythms.
I hope this has been useful. Feel free to write back with further questions. Good luck.
Information provided here is of a general nature. Specific diagnoses and treatments can only be made by your doctor. If you would like to be seen at the Cleveland Clinic, please call 1-800-CCF-CARE for an appointment with a cardiologist at Desk F15.
