Heart concerns.

[ColB84]

Hello to all!

I was diagnoses with a heart murmer after going into my local Hospital for something else altogether. I eventually went for the test they send you to, some sort of echo I believe it was called, and was then diagnoses with a leaky heart valve of some sort by my doctor once the results came back. He didn't seem overly concerned at all and told me that it was still okay for me to exercise if I wished to. However, since then I can't stop thinking about this condition, and I only know about it from what I've read myself on Google since the doctor didn't really explain anything to me. I'm always feeling my heart rate, especially after walking up and down stairs, even though I know in doing so I'm only making myself feel more anxious (I've suffered with anxiety for a long time and believe this has currently sent it through the roof!) and therefore making everything worse.

I'm 31 years of age, 6 foot 3 and around 12 stone. have never smoked, rarely drink and up until recently I walked everywhere, seeing as I don't drive, so would consider myself relatively fit. Or at least I could walk for miles and miles without getting tired or breathless. But I'm now even concerned to walk far as I used to do all the time because of this condition. Sounds absolutely stupid, right? I do have a consultation with a cardiologist very soon and hopefully being able to discuss my concerns with an expert will help to put my mind at ease a little. But I was just wondering if anyone else experiences these negative thoughts and feelings after being diagnosed? I really hope to hear some thoughts and perhaps even some advice. Many thanks :-)

[Alyjod3]

I was recently diagnosed with mild LV Diastolic dysfunction and a mild murmur.  I was afraid to exercise.  Until I talked to someone else on here who had the same issues and she was exercising and doing good so I decided to start out slow.  With walking and jogging.  I seem to get out of breath fairly quickly with running or jogging so I decided to mainly stick to lots of walking for now.  
Also my fiance was diagnosed with mitral valve prolapse and regurgitation years ago and the doctor told him to exercise and get in shape to strengthen his heart.  Whenever he quits exercising for a while he'll start getting symptoms.  

[Ger57]

Heart murmur often comes from backward blood flow (regurgitation). When one of your 4 heart valves do not close completely this backward flow happens.

Heart murmur from valve leakage is quite common. Often the mitral valve is involved.
The amount of leakage is categorized as none/trace/mild/moderate/severe. A lot of people have some leakage and as long as the leakage is mild or less, there is not really a reason for worry and there is no reason to limit your physical activities.
In many cases this leakage will remain stable throughout people life.

Ask your cardiologist where the murmur comes from, which valve is involved and how serious the leakage is and if you need follow up (monitoring 1x/year if leakage is more than mild).