leaky valves and arrythmmias?

Ive been diagnosed with mild mitral and moderate tricuspid valve regurgitation 2 years ago. Im 40. I also was diagnosed with HBP, which use to be very low 90/60. Anyway, I had experienced the most scary thing while driving about a week ago. I was driving with my son in the car and started to feel like my heart was slowing to almost a stop, then I became very lightheaded and everything got blurry and I almost passed out, when my son grabbed the wheel. It hasnt happened again. My question to you or anyone else out there is, Could this be problems with my valves or could I be developing an arrythmmia?I do feel at times my heart slows or skips and then I feel alittle out of breath. ANy input would be greatly appreciated! Thanks for your time!

[Cleveland Clinic]

horseownr,

The symptoms you describe are concerning.  Syncope and presyncope are fairly common symptoms and have a number of causes. However, it's definitely a symptom that needs to be further evaluated.

Given the association of your chest symptoms an event monitor would probably help get at the root of the issue.  However, you should have a complete evaluation of your sympomts with your physician.  If you develop similar symptoms you should seek medical help.

good luck

[Emmaj]

Hi,

What you describe isn't quite what I experienced several times, but I would black out for a few seconds, without passing out completely, and then my heart would start beating very rapidly. It turned out I was having supraventricular tachycardia (SVT). These were my first symptoms of mitral valve prolapse. The arrhythmia was controlled by Verapamil, a calcium channel blocker, and I never blacked out while on it. I eventually needed mitral valve surgery seven years after I had the first symptoms. Good luck!

[horseownr]

Thanks for the posts! I just started experiencing over the weekend,my heart would speed up almost like quiver and then slow, which I would feel out of breath. I guess time to call the cardio.

[Emmaj]

Hi,

Here is something else about my situation that might interest you. I also had a leaky tricuspid valve, but when my mitral valve problem was corrected, the tricuspid corrected itself! I gather that was not too unusual. Anyway, yes, I would say it is time to get checked out by your cardio. When I first had symptoms and saw my cardio, he did not prescribe any meds, and I got into a bad situation when I was driving one night. I thought I was having a heart attack but it really was just the tachycardia at 200bpm. My hands were going numb... and I had to stop at the nearest lighted business (which turned out to be the Longhorn Steakburger Palace and Saloon -- the grand opening) and ask for an ambulance to be called. It was a scary thing, so be careful in the days before you see your doctor and if he or she waits to give you meds until after a holter monitor.... Best of luck!

[jennann]

Interesting - I had a similar event also while driving, and I've read other posts of similar events while driving.  My heart suddenly flipped into some crazy, quivering, absent feeling and I immediatley almost passed out - pulled over, ambulance called, everything fine by the time they came, but afib suspected and now I'm on Toprol.  I've been okay now for 2.5 mos - but am scared - so scared - of recurrance.  I had bad pvcs for a couple months prior to this event.
No fun!

[JRF]

I get PVC's throughout the day. Some days only a handfull. I am learning to live with them. I have been told that I have mild MVP in both leaflets. What I have noticed is that the PVC's are more frequent and forceful when I am at elevation such as when I take my family skiing. Has anyone heard of the same problem or had any input from their cardio as to why people get more PVC's, rhythm problems at high elevations?

Thanks