aortic valve issues

I'm a 43 year old male who has a terrible set of genes as far as heart disease.   My father had quadriple by-pass at 51, stents at 61, and descending aortic anyerism at 74.  I've been of blood pressure and cholesterol meds for 10 years.  About 6 months ago I started having more chest pains than normal.  Went to my cardiologist and they did EKG, stress/echo.  This showed what appeared to be an ascending aortic anyerism.  Then we did the TEE and it revealed some reguritation, and a flap on one part of the aortic valve.  They couldn't tell if the flap was a congenitive anomally or the beginning of a disection.  So then they did a cath. no blockages but still they weren't sure about the flap.  They had me meet with the surgeon and he wanted to do a new procedure called a 3 d echo.  He said don't worry it's most likely nothing.  I just had the procedure and haven't heard from the test yet.  You could definately see the flap and the regurgitation.  I don't feel any worse but I'm really scared.  Don't want to be like my dad and have the full blown anyerism.  Have you ever heard of anything like this?  What are your thoughts?

[vienna13]

I have only one thought: do not be scared!! Best thing we can do with different heart conditions is that: under all circumstances staying calm, optimistic and I am guaranty you, we will live longer. Our fathers were different people, under different care, different time, medications, treatment, I just always remember my father as a happy, optimistic, smart, funny man as he was, I try not to mix up his heart condition and mine, if I would I could start count back my years to live, he wasn’t much older than I am now, but it was in a totally different story, time etc……I feel that, but was very glad hearing the same attitude was suggested to me by my cardiologist.
Trust in your cardiologist, it seems to me you are in good care.

[kenkeith]

The aorta valve has 3 leaflets (flaps) that close over the aorta opening that passes blood from the left ventrical (pumping chamber) into circulation and when the heart is pumping the leaflets should close over the opening to prevent blood from flowing back into the ventricle (the back flow is called regurgitation).  Do you have a biscuspid aorta valve?...sometimes there is congenital anomaly where there are two leaflets (2 valves fused together) rather than 3 leaflets.  And with this condition many individuals don't have any problems until the 3rd decade of life and some never have any problems.

However,the condition is genetic (bicuspid syndrome) that also effects the aorta ascending, arch, or descending aorta vessel.  It seems the syndrome involves a tissue abnormality that is susceptible an aneurysm.  An an aneurysm is an abnormal bulge of the aorta vessel wall and should be closely watched for any size increase that could be vulnerable for dissection. And blood pressure should be closely monitored as that could exacerbate the problem.

The above perspective is the worst case scenerio, and it hasn't been determined based on the information provided that you have a bicuspid aortic valve anomaly. An echo should have provided the size of the aorta.  If the size has grown to 4.0cm it is considered an aneursym, and if and when the size reaches 5.0cm or greater the option for intervention becomes relevant to prevent disection.

Hope this provides an insight for you to further discuss your medical concern with your doctor and whether or not you have the congenital bicuspid disorder.  If you don't, and the regurgitation is not moderate to severe, there may not be any serious condition.  

Thanks for your question, and if you have any further questions or comments you are invited to respond. I wish you well going forward, take care,

Ken