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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 RM-Lapointe, Jan 01, 1995 12:00AM
Posted By RM Lapointe on December 26, 1998 at 21:22:36:
In Reply to: Re: Mitral Valve & Bicuspid Aortic Valve posted by CCF CARDIO MD - DLB on December 24, 1998 at 09:40:50:
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.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Thanks, that tells me what I need to do. I was told there was no stenosis
but I'm not sure of the bicuspid regurgitation, I'll ask. Last year I went to my PCP with
complaints of fatigue and rapid heartbeat. She sent me for an echo that was
evaluated by a cardiologist. He also had me use a self-monitor (credit card style)
when I had an episode. Through these tests he found that I had Mitral Valve Prolapse
with mild regurgitation with some PVC's. He didn't seem too worried about the symptoms, stating
that many people experience similar symptoms and that he himself lived with
MVP. He wasn't sure about the bicuspid valve last year and so I was re-evaluated
again this year. He found the bicuspid valve this time and reported it to
my PCP, she is the one I have contact with. She told me that I may have a
problem with stenosis of the valve in my 60's or 70's, I reserved questions
for later when I had "dug" up enough information to ask what I need to ask.
The "symptoms" I describe can be severe, usually in the morning, but I have
moderated my lifesyle to accomodate them and can manage for right now. The
irregular heartbeats come and go during the day but again I manage for now.
If they become severe enough to hamper my lifestyle then I will definitely
do something about it. I only need to be well informed in order to help my
PCP help me. Does all this sound like the right stuff. I appreciate your
input and you've given me some good food for thought. Hope your holidays
were good ones.
In Reply to: Re: Mitral Valve & Bicuspid Aortic Valve posted by CCF CARDIO MD - DLB on December 24, 1998 at 09:40:50:
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.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Thanks, that tells me what I need to do. I was told there was no stenosis
but I'm not sure of the bicuspid regurgitation, I'll ask. Last year I went to my PCP with
complaints of fatigue and rapid heartbeat. She sent me for an echo that was
evaluated by a cardiologist. He also had me use a self-monitor (credit card style)
when I had an episode. Through these tests he found that I had Mitral Valve Prolapse
with mild regurgitation with some PVC's. He didn't seem too worried about the symptoms, stating
that many people experience similar symptoms and that he himself lived with
MVP. He wasn't sure about the bicuspid valve last year and so I was re-evaluated
again this year. He found the bicuspid valve this time and reported it to
my PCP, she is the one I have contact with. She told me that I may have a
problem with stenosis of the valve in my 60's or 70's, I reserved questions
for later when I had "dug" up enough information to ask what I need to ask.
The "symptoms" I describe can be severe, usually in the morning, but I have
moderated my lifesyle to accomodate them and can manage for right now. The
irregular heartbeats come and go during the day but again I manage for now.
If they become severe enough to hamper my lifestyle then I will definitely
do something about it. I only need to be well informed in order to help my
PCP help me. Does all this sound like the right stuff. I appreciate your
input and you've given me some good food for thought. Hope your holidays
were good ones.
