Re: Tricuspid Valve Regurgitation Follow-up

Posted By Alex  on May 28, 1999 at 13:00:27
Hello:
I am posting the previous message that I posted a few weeks ago as well as your subsequent replies.  
Lately, I've been experiencing dull pains very light in nature and tingling in my extremities (hands, arms, feet).  Would those symptoms be related to the leakage in my tricuspid valve?  Should I go back to see my cardiologist?
Thanks for your help!
Alex
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[Alex__0]

Posted By Alex on May 06, 1999 at 21:20:45
Hello:
I am a 20-year old male, non-smoker, currently a junior in college. Last December, I started experiencing chest pains and discomfort,
mostly on the sides of the rib cage. The pain, however, was not concentrated to one area as it constantly changed locations on the
chest. The doctor wasn't able to hear anything through the sthetoscope and attribut> Transfer interrupted! t be on a regimen of
Advil. The pain is rather dull and comes and goes throughout the day. It does not wake me up during my sleep. The pain disppeared
within days. Two weeks ago, the pains were back. A different doctor at the school clinic listened to my heart and lungs and couldn't
make a diagnostic. He also attributed the pains to chest wall inflammation and put me on Advil. However, he did hear a "significant"
heart murmur (first time it was heard by any doctor). He said that the murmur was most likely not benign, possibly aortic in nature.
He recommended I see a cardiologist. BTW, my mom did have her mitral valve replaced. Yesterday, I went home to see a
cardiologist. He did an EKG, Echocardiogram, and Stress Test (13 min.).
He said that my heart structure was fine but diagnosed "Mild to Moderate" tricuspid valve regurgitation or leakage. The echo report
were the following:
-nl RV + LUSF
-nl heart size and wall thickness
-nl regional wall motion
-nl structure/AV MV TV + PV
-no MVP
-No pericardial infusion
-mild to moderate TR
There were a whole bunch of measurements numbers which all fell within "adult values". The stress test report mentioned:
-maximal exercise stress test
-no chest pains
-no hemodynamics
-no ischemic EKG
-good exercise effort
-this is a normal exercise stress test.

He told me that the leakage was slightly above inviduals my age but gave me the impression not to worry about it. He gave me no
exercise restrictions and no medication. He also told me to come back in a year for another follow up echo. He concluded that my
chest pains were not due to the heart but were most likely skeletal/muscular in nature and to take ibufrofen. My questions are:
-What are the long term effects of mild to moderate regurgitation? Will surgery be required in the future? Is there any medication to
cure such
disease?
-Does it get worse? Does it get better?
-What could cause the chest pains? Stress?
Thanks for your help! And sorry for the long message.

[Alex__0]

Posted By Alex on May 06, 1999 at 21:31:47
I forgot to mention that the cardiologist could not hear the murmur, in contradiction to what the school doctor said.
Alex

[CCF Cardio MD - MTR]

Posted By CCF CARDIO MD - MTR on May 07, 1999 at 08:40:12
Dear Alex, since the cardiologist could not hear a murmur, I think that provides more evidence that this is a benign problem. Good
luck!

[Alex__0]

Posted By Alex on May 08, 1999 at 04:03:53
Hello again:
Thanks for your prompt reply. I have two more questions:
-Does the fact that my mom had her mitral valve replaced (due to Rheumatic Fever, according to my dad) increase the chances that
I will need mine replaced? Is valve disease hereditary? If it is, why is my mom's problematic valve (mitral) is different than mine
(tricuspid)?
-What would be physical warning signs that the regurgitation is getting worse?
Thanks again for you help.
Alex

[CCF Cardio MD - MTR]

Posted By CCF CARDIO MD - MTR on May 10, 1999 at 11:33:46
Dear Alex, if your mother had Rheumatic Fever as the cause of her mitral valve disease, there is no association with your suspected
valvular disease unless you had a documented episode of Rheumatic Fever. Again, I want to stress that I do not think you have any
valvular problems and that your heart is indeed normal. Therefore, I don't think you should worry about your long-term prognosis nor
what type of symptoms you should be on the lookout for. My best advice to you is to enjoy life and not worry about your heart.

[Cleveland Clinic, MD]

Posted By CCF CARDIO MD - CRC on May 28, 1999 at 14:01:27
Dear Alex,
Tricuspid regurg shouldn't cause the symptoms you are describing.   Are these related to hyperventilation?
Information provided in the heart forum is for general purposes only.  Only your physician can provide specific diagnoses and therapies.  Please feel free to write back with additional questions.
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.

[Alex__0]

Posted By Alex on May 28, 1999 at 14:17:40
Hello:
Thanks for your prompt reply.  What do you mean by Hyperventilation?  
If you are referring to shortness of breath then yes.  Lately, I've noticed that I sometimes run out of breath when I talk.  However, this shortness of breath does not occur when I exercise (basketball, running, swimming).  
I've also been able to hear my heart beat at rest.  For instance, if i am watching TV.  I would be able to feel my hearbeat on my fingers or on my chest.
Could those be the signs of a more serious problem?
Alex

[Alex__0]

Posted By Alex on May 28, 1999 at 14:30:00
To add to the previous message:
Do you think the chest wall pains could be due to me sleeping on a waterbed?  I've been sleeping on a waterbed for 3 years now, since high school.  They're about a month old now and still reoccur, though less in frequency.  What could be their cause?  
Also, thinking back about the shortness of breath in my previous post...it could all be in my mind.  Maybe I am just worrying too much.  It just seems like sometimes, I run out of "steam" talking.  
Thanks for all the help
Alex

[Cleveland Clinic, MD]

Posted By CCF CARDIO MD - CRC on May 29, 1999 at 09:08:34
Dear Alex,
Hyperventilation is breathing rapidly when the body dosen't need additional oxygen.  This can  cause a numb tingly feeling in the hands and feet.  The "cure" is breathing into a paper bag for a few minutes.  I don't think the waterbed would cause problems now after three years.  Do you have any increased stress in your life?
Information provided in the heart forum is for general purposes only. Only your physician can provide specific diagnoses and therapies. Please feel free to write back with additional questions.
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.


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Follow Ups:


Re: Tricuspid Valve Regurgitation Follow-up Alex 5/29/1999
(1)

Tricuspid Valve Regurgitation Follow-up CCF CARDIO MD - CRC 6/01/1999
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