Mitral Valve Repair (Just found out)

[ocean12]

I have recently found out that I will need a mitral valve repair due to severe regurgitation of the mitral valve, borderline atrial septal aneurysm with no shunting and mildly leaking tricuspid valve. (this probably will take place in the Fall). I've had mitral valve prolapse since a young child, I am now 40 years old.  I am otherwise a healthy 40 year old female.  I am still in shock and didn't see it coming a mile away.  I have always gone for checkups with the cardiologist, but the last time I went was in 2004 because he said I didn't need any further yearly appt because my condition was mild (as was in the past).

My PCP found a carotid bruit for the 1st time during a routine physical.  SHe sent me for a doppler which was excellent.  The the cardiologist sent me for an echo.  He said back in 2004 the regurg. was about a 3-4 on a scale of 1-10 and now it is a 7.5 - 8.  The regurgitation is in his words "severe" and I will need to have a repair.  The aortic valve is showing small changes in terms of dilation.I had a small episode back in 2004 where I lost half vision field in right eye, but eye doctor chalked it up to a migraine experience.  I never had a migrain in my whole life, but the  cardi. doctor now thinks that was a small TIA.  

MY QUESTION IS THIS......being where the severity with the regurgitation is at now, when would I start to feel other symptoms associated with the severe regurg / prolapse?  Does it start happening fairly quickly? What are things that can start happening.  I've always had palpitations with mild mild mild atrial fib.that came and went very infrequently throughout my life.  So that was never anything to worry about.  Thank you so much for your time and effort

[ocean12]

Thank you Robert for the reply.  I do wish you the best and just keep the positive attitude.  You sound like a very strong person and that makes all the difference in the world.

[rdstoltzjr]

Hi,

I have SEVERE aortic stenosis with SEVERE regurgation. I have no symptons, and i have been advised by mny cardiolgist, to do nothing until I have symptons. SYMPTONS ARE FAINTING, LIGHT HEADINESS, CHEST TIGHTENESS, OR CONFUSION.  I am scheduled for another echo in July, but I feel great, excercise every day, eat a fairly good diet and sleep well.

I would prefer to have mitral valve regurgation as you do, as i understand the repair is  much simpler than the arotic valve.  I am not going to worry until I get symptons, and I understand they come on slowly most of the time,  The problem is that I and you must act before we do other heart damage to our hearts, once damaged, alweays damaged.

I experience loss of vision about once or twice a year in one eye or the other. Tt starts as wave like ripples  progressing from one  side until vision is completely gone, then returns to normal about 10-15 minutes later.  They tell me this is not related to the heart
problems.

By the way, I am 77 years old, and I have had this problem for 30 years. I never let it get in the way of enjoying my life.  Sorry I couldn't help you more, Robert Stoltz