IST, POTS and valve regurgitation

[LivingInHope]

I was diagnosed first with IST, later with POTS  back in 2004.  

Now, I have mild valve regurgitation in the triscupid and mitral valves.  I wonder if anyone has any info on if tachycardia can cause regurgitation and whether if this is the case, if the regurgitation is likely to progress if the tachycardia remains unchecked.  The cardiologist I went to last ordered the echocardiogram and other tests.  He didn't bother to tell me with my follow up about my mild regurgitation in two valves... I found out because someone at his office mailed me the results, so I don't feel comfortable asking him about it.  My 48 hour holter monitor showed a heart rate of over 120 for close to an hour of that time period.  

[halbashes]

As Tonyad mentioned in her above post, Mitral Valve Prolapse is one of the more common causes of Mitral Valve Regurgitation.  MVP is also somewhat common in Dysautonomia.  

Also too, I agree with Heiferly's recommendation.  It may be better to find another Cardiologist.  It's never fun to see a doctor you are uncomfortable with, and certainly not very beneficial to have one that doesn't understand your condition.

Since you are already planning to change your PCP, perhaps you could ask your new primary doctor for referral to another Cardiologist?

Lastly, you may want to try asking about this in one of MedHelp's Heart Communities as well for further insight.  Good luck!

[LivingInHope]

No.  But since I am planning to change primary care physicians and don't expect to need a new referral too soon, since I just was tested this year, I'm in limbo wondering.

[Heiferly]

Do you have a compelling reason for sticking with this cardiologist rather than finding one with whom you have a better rapport?  I'm sorry to hear that you're up against a doctor who is trying to blame things on anxiety despite obvious evidence to the contrary.  

[LivingInHope]

And on the cardiologist, I know it would be nice to have a doctor you would not be afraid to ask a question to, but this cardiologist was trying to chalk up all my tachycardia, it seemed to anxiety and emotion and had to be reminded of my diagnosis of POTS (diagnosis from an electrophysiologist who conducted a tilt table test)... then he suggested sitting before standing and pumping my fists.  He did not tell me about the regurgitation at all, so I don't feel he would want to be bothered with me asking him, as he didn't even feel it was worth a mention, evidently.  

He did not want me to take any BP medication when I tried to get back on verapamil with him, as he felt it would just make me feel worse.  I got a prescription from my primary care doctor (second time I tried to get it from him), but I haven't started it yet, because  I'm wanting to get tested more thoroughly to rule out pheochromocytoma first.  I'm looking to switch primary care doctors, partly because he thought a BP drug that had a diuretic in it would be good for hyperadrenergic POTS and prescribed it first rather than the verapamil I asked for (which I took for a number of months in the past).  I didn't get that one with the diuretic filled!

[LivingInHope]

Thanks for replying.  I actually have not been diagnosed with mitral valve prolapse.  As far as I know, I don't have that.  I do however, have tachycardia daily with the dysautonomia situation and am wondering if that might make regurgitation in my mitral and tricuspid valves worsen.

[tonyad]

Hello,

It is not uncommon to have regurgitation when dx w/ Mitral Valve Prolapse.
I have it and know many others including my 21 year old daughter who have
been dx w/ Mitral Valve Prolapse.  Or you may have heard it called
a Floppy Valve.

You should never have to feel uncomfortable asking any of your doctors anything at anytime. They work for you!

Definition
By Mayo Clinic staff
  Mitral valve prolapse  
Mitral valve prolapse (MVP) occurs when the valve between your heart's left upper chamber (left atrium) and the left lower chamber (left ventricle) doesn't close properly. When the left ventricle contracts, the valve's flaps bulge (prolapse) upward or back into the atrium. Mitral (MIE-truhl) valve prolapse sometimes leads to blood leaking backward into the left atrium, a condition called mitral valve regurgitation.

In most people, mitral valve prolapse isn't life-threatening and doesn't require treatment or changes in lifestyle. Some people with mitral valve prolapse, however, require treatment.

Have a great weekend.
~Tonya