symptoms of aortic regurgitation

Waiting for my appointment with a cardiologist in a couple weeks, but until then I have a few concerns.  There is a family history of aortic regurgitation and autoimmune disease.  I am a 45 year old woman, and although my previous echos have all been negative for heart disease, lately I've been developing some new disturbing symptoms.  About a year ago, I began feeling what I will call a "hiccough" feeling in my chest area upon certain heartbeats....NOT a skip ) I've gotten those too and this is NOT the same). This feels like an exaggerated heart beat in normal rhythm. Around this time I also started to feel strong pulsations in my back and fingertips.  A few months after, suddenly awoke with a pressure (no pain) at the base of my neck that is constant 99% of the time.  Within the last 2 weeks now, I started having a pulsating knee.  Two of my family practitioners have listened to my heart by stethoscope and say they don't hear any suspicious murmurs....but have referred me to specialists.

Are these typical symptoms of AR or probably nothing to worry about?

[kenkeith]

When there is significant aorta regurgitation there is less blood pumped into circulation with each heartbeat.  The symptoms of low cardiac output usually results in a faster than normal heartbeat, possibly chest pain, muscle fatigue, shortness of breath, etc.

The left ventricle can enlarge and that can cause arrhythmia, but that condition would indicate moderate to severe AR.  The drs. should have been able to heart AR so the AR may not be very serious and just a mild leak?

Hope this helps and thanks for your question.  Take care..

[clover43210]

I appreciate your help.  I just had a CT scan of the chest as well as a venous and arterial doppler as few days ago.  I'm still waiting on results and also for my visit with the cardiologist to find out more. Thank you again :)

[kenkeith]

Thank you for your response and stay with us.  Take care

[clover43210]

Due to severe allergic reactions, I had a chest CT scan performed without contrast.  Would this provide enough information to rule out aortic aneursym or any other heart and valve issues?  

[kenkeith]

Without contrast compromises the detail of the images.  Not having enough detail to make a reliable dx may depend on other factors such as prior images, doctor's radiological skills, etc.  Not having any experience reading images, I don't know if I can answer that question.  I got a CD of my echo, and I can't decern any abnormalities although I know there are negative results.