Shortness of breath, lightheadedness and PVCs

[Itigo]

Been to the cardiologist and am having a lung function test to rule out asthma and a cardiac stress test. He didn't want to do another echo as I had one last year. He mentioned anxiety as a possible but he wasn't sure until I've had the other tests. When I told my husband he just laughed and said I was the most relaxed he's seen me in years and he didn't think I was anxious at all!

If my echoes were normal last year (I actually had 2 as one Dr thought my heart measurements were enlarged on the 1st), presumably that completely rules out mitral valve issues? Am I right in thinking they are there from birth and that someone would have heard a click or murmur when listening to my heart?

He said the fluttery feeling is probably because I'm having 3 or 4 ectopics in a row over and over.  Can cope with those as they are fairly infrequent and shortlived.

So all in all a good appointment and I shall await the results of the tests.

[Jerry_NJ]

I may misunderstand your question, but I can say that Mitral Valve problems can be congenital or caused by diseases, such as rheumatic fever, later in life.  

I had my Mitral valve repaired because it was leaking and causing enlargement of my left atrium... I now suffer from AFib.  

I had my first echocardio at about age 55, and it showed a leaky Mitral valve, but I didn't have it repaired (open heart surgery) until several years later.  I do recall some comments about my EKGs many years ago, but no "clicks" or "murmur" sounds as far as I can remember.

[Itigo]

Thanks Jerry. I think what I was asking was this.....

Could I still have mitral valve issues even if I have had 2 normal echoes and no untoward sounds?

The cardiologist didn't mention mitral valve issues at all yet when I first googled my symptoms, MVP was all that came up.

As I understand the stress test, it is looking for blockages in my heart system. Will it show anything that could point to MVP?

Just interested. Too embarrassed to ask my cardiologist as I don't want to seem anxious!!

Thanks......this forum is great......

[twinbee]

I am pretty sure that if you had MVP it would show up on an echo. I was just diagnoised with a slight murmur. My EP heard it when listening to my heart. What makes you think you have a valve problem?

[Itigo]

Hi, my PVCs have returned after a break of hardly any (came off Flecainide in October). This wouldn't bother me but at the same time I have had many periods of getting short of breath (an inhaler has had a little benefit hence the Lung FT), this is often worse when I go to bed, feeling lightheaded, intermittent chest pain and I've woken up with a couple of cracking headaches which is unusual for me.

I know that it is VERY unlikely to be MVP! Probably me subconsciously worrying or something. It is NOT panic as my heart rate doesn't rise with the breathlessness and I don't sweat, feel doom like or anything. With the lightheadedness I just feel as if I could pass out if I don't concentrate on not doing so.... This can last for minutes or hours.

As an aside, I have VERY lax ligaments and troublesome joints etc so it wouldn't surprise me if another part of me turned out to be floppy!