missing valve and leakage causing pain

[gaury]

sir my friend does not have a valve by birth and also has some leakage which causes severe pain .....i want to know that is it treatable ...,wht are the risk factors and how much time it will take to cure if it is treatable.....and also how much it will cost......please help me i really love him and he told that doctors here told him that he has only four and a half year left...with his life....he is 17 and a half now.....please help.......

[kenkeith]

>>>>>>>It is unprofessional for a doctor to predict the time of life remaining with someone who has a valve leakage problem.  It is difficult to believe a doctor would make such a statement, so maybe your friend didn't understand what the doctor said.

The probability is very high that your friend has mitral valve prolapse; a condtion that is not common and it is congenital (birth defect).  For some insight, the mitral valve is a one-way opening that passes blood from the upper chamber to the lower chamber to be pumped into circulation.  With Mitral Valve prolapse, the leaflets do not adequately cover the valve opening when the left ventricle pumps blood into circulation, and some blood flows back into the upper chamber.  

Almost all valve insufficiency or whatever the the problem can be effectively treated.  There can be a repair or replacement of the valve if necessary. The risk factor is very low for the worst case scenario.  I have had a moderate to severe heart valve leakage for many years, but eventually I will have it repaired or replaced. Usually, with valve disorder there is shortness of breath, muscle fatigue, and chest pain.  My doctor wants to know if and when I have shortness of breath and at that time there would be treatment.  

With all medical treatment, the cost is high and one should have insurance.  The doctors' should have provided some guidance for your friend to follow going forward.  If one doesn't have insurance, there are social workers associated with the hospital or county that can provide information regarding options for expenses if your friend does not have sufficient funds.  

Hope this helps, and if you have any followup questions you are welcome to respond.  Thanks for sharing, take care.

[cindy707]

Hi Gaury i read your post.  It was a little confusing to me i have to say.  First off this site is not a doctors site altho Medhelp does have an "ask a doctor" site that you can log onto.  Where i am a little confused is that your friend does not have which valve Gaury?  There are 4 that go into our hearts...are you talking about a mitral valve that is prolapsed?  And leaking?  I think that you need to repost so that we can try to answer to at the very least lead you into the right direction here...try to be more specific okay?