aortic valve regurgutation

[gonziiii]

36 m. Last year an echo revealed severe aortic valve regurgitation and low ejection fraction. Since then my health has improved and i live a normal life but I notice that when I am stressed up, or if my bp is high or I drink heavily I feel an uncomfortable chest pain when I lie on my left side, the disappears if I lie on my back or right side. Also I remember that the echo was done when I was lieing on my left side, n/b my ecg was normal. My question is; is it possible that my aortic valve only leaks when I lie on my left side? and if so I'm I damaging my heart more by lieing on my left side ie should I always sleep on my back or right side. If it only leak when I lie on my left I'm I going to live a normal healthy life as I'm doing now or will need a valve replacement later? I had rheumatic fever as a teenager with chest pain. I am also on bp medication. atenolol 50-100mg occasional or when needed, lisinopril 5mg, 1/2 tab of moduretic and occasionally norvasc 5mg when needed ie when my bp rises or I have left sided chest pain

[Protime]

The cost of a valve replacement is something I am not qualified to answer.  You need to talk with your doctor and health care providers.  My valve surgery was 35 years ago which has no revelance to today's cost.

[gonziiii]

thanks, how much would a valve replacement surgery cost

[Protime]

I share portions of your history.  I too, had rheumatic fever at a young age--about seven.  Aortic value disease was diagnosed at 15 by a cardiologist although my family Dr. heard the familiar murmur much earlier.   At 30 the regurgitation had reached the stage where the diseased valve had to be replaced by a mechanical valve.  Now 65, the valve is still going strong and doing well after 35 years.

If your valve is leaking, it is what it is.  Body position had no effect on the leakage.  Just maintain the position where you feel most comfortable.  The best advice I can give (you didn't ask me, of course) is to take care of yourself and know your limitations.  You need not try to impress anyone or prove anything.  Your heart is already working harder at normal just trying to pump out the extra blood that backflows into your ventricle.  Drinking even moderately is not helping the situation.  Maintaining normal weight and blood pressure is extremely important.  Talk with your doctor about the concerns you have expressed here.  You can continue to live a "normal" life style if you recognize your problem and live accordingly.  I am not implying anything here.  Just use common sense.  When the time comes to replace the valve, I am proof that this procedure works.  Until that time comes, again, be good to your body and it will be good to you.