I just saw my cardiologist on Tuesday and I'm diagnosed as having Mitral Valve Prolapse. I have an exercise stress test at the end of this month and a few days after that I'll have an Echo done and have to wear a 24 hour holter monitor. I've been reading a lot about MVP and some of stuff I'm reading scares me. What am I to expect in the future. Does everyone diagnosed with MVP eventually have to get their valve replaced?
Thanks for your help.
JetMaq,
I have had the same EXACT symptoms for almost two years now! I have not slept on my left side in months! I am 36 years old, male, 6'6" and weigh 240 lbs. The only family history of heart trouble is slightly elevated blood pressure on my father's side. My blood pressure is 130/80 and my cholseterol is 175. I have had three echoes, one which was a stress echo, EKG's, CHest Scans(with contrast), and they have all come back ok. The only thing they noticed was an elevated blood pressure during the treadmill portion of the stress echo - My blood pressure reached 220/? but they said the recovery rate was perfectly normal andthat elevated blood pressure during a stress echo is not a concern (??). As recently as last night, I had difficulties getting a full intake of air. I get labored breathing way too often for someone that is in pretty good shape. I play basketball two-three times per week. My heart doesn't seem to make a knocking noise like you claim yours does, but it seems to pound hard, or harder, when I lie down to go to sleep. And I too am always tired and lightheaded. I have posted here in the past and these cardiologists didn't seem to think it was a problem either. I have been dealing with it for quite some time now but would love to figure out what is going on........
JetMaq,
Thanks for the post.
I don't know.
I would agree with your family practitioner that the most likely explanation is a mitral valve disorder. In fact, a plausible explanation for the whole experience is that you had a previously undiagnosed mitral valve prolapse, and now suffer from a ruptured chordae (one of the structures that supports the valve). This scenarion would explain the click and the sudden onet of fatigue. However, this should not be hard to see with an echo.
Hopefullym the cardiologist that you are scheduled to see will be able to figure this out with some additonal information.
Good luck.