moderate aorta & mitral valve leakage

[vab50]

I am a 60 yr old female. I was recently dx with moderate leakage in the aorta and mitral valves.  I do tired easily and have had some dizziness ever since 1989.  I have had 3 arteriograms done in the past and no one has ever told me before about this condition.  The reason for the arteriograms was for the dizziness.  I had a echo done in 2006 by another cardiologist and he did not mention it.  When I got my medical records from him recently it was in the history that I had this condition.  He did not even bother to tell me or have me to come back.   My cardiologist that I now have does not feel I am at the stage for surgery.  He wants me to come every 6 months to repeat the echo to see if any changes have occured.  He feels that it will stay at the moderate stage.  Needless to say I am very worried about my condition. He wants me to start exercise by walking and to continue my normal lifestyle.  How rare is it to have two valves to leak?  Do I need to get a second opinion?  He is supposed to be a very good cardiologist. Any information will be very much appreciated.  I guess what I am wanting is reassurance.  Thank you.  

[BMTree]

Thank you all so much for sharing your conditions and knowledge.  I also have recently been diagnosed with moderate aortic and mitral valve leakage.  Because I have asthma and reactive airway disease, symptoms are difficult to assess.  Watching my energy level and continuing to be in contact with my cardiologist seems to be the best line of defense.

[kenkeith]

I can identify with your dilemma.  I have moderate to severe mitral valve regurgitation and cardiologist is waiting for shortness of breath symptoms, etc. before an intervention.  I know sugeons associated with the Mayo Clinic that have done thousands of valve operaations have the opinion not to wait too long as the heart can enlarge and the efficiency of the heart's pumping phase may become impaired and a valve operation subsequent will not restore.

[vab50]

Thanks for the information.  My doctor keeps telling me that I do not need surgery.  He said that he was able to view the leakage in both valves well on the echo. He said the wall of my heart looked great.  I do not ever have chest pain or shortness of breath.  The only symptoms that I have are feeling tired and some dizziness.  He seems to think that if I start walking that it will help.  I have been so depressed and worried about all of this.  A few years ago I was dx with BPPV.... so he does not think that the dizziness is coming from the valve leakage.  I have an appointment with him next week and I will once again express to him my great concern that I am going to wait too late before something is done.  Of course I do not want surgery unless it is necessary but if it is needed I will certainly have it.  If I am not satisfied with his answers next week I will see a surgeon.

[kenkeith]

An echo is an estimate of the amount of blood that flows back into the heart chamber rather than through the heart and out into circulation.  When it becomes a problem the cardiac output is decreased and the individual can have shortness of breath, fatigue, chest pains, etc. When regurgitation (leakage) is moderate to severe with symptoms at that time intervention is seriously considered.  Moderate without symptoms may be just watched and not need any intervention.  It is not unusual to have valve leakage and often don't progress or cause any symptoms...two moderate regurgitating valves possibly a problem because together there is less blood pumped into circulation.

You may want to get an opinion of a surgeon because that is the doctor who best knows when there should be intervention.  Waiting too long can cause irreversible that a valve interventional procedure can not reverse.