Mitral and Tricuspid regurgitation?

[pelonis]

Hi,

I had an echocardiogram and this is the summary of the report. I have appointment with my doc next week to discuss about it. Meanwhile if somebody can please throw some light on what it means, I would really appreciate. Thank you very much.


Intact systolic heart function with mitral regurgitation, mitral valve prolapse, aortic valve thickening, tricuspid valve prolapse, and tricuspid regurgitation with mild increase in estimated pulmonary pressure.

[pelonis]

My TEE was done. Cardiologist told that my heart is in good condition. I just need to eat healthy diet and be active with exercise.

Regarding my chest pain and head pressure, I was told that they could be happening because of my esophagus. Still need to find a solution for relief.

Your replies gave me lot of support before I was assured by the cardiologist. Thank you for all the help.

[kenkeith]

Quote: "Do you know when esophageal echo is preferred to cardiac catheterization?"

>>Sometimes the view with a thoraxic echo the ultra sound waves are obstructed due to obesity, other organs, etc.  An esophageal echo gives a different and sometimes a better perspecive.  Echo provides a calculation of heart chamber dimensions, doppler blood flow through valves and chambers, heart's functionality to pump blood, etc.  A hole in the heart is usually a hole in the wall that separates the left and right chambers and can be viewed with an echo.

Cardiac cath is an interventional procedure usually to view the coronary vessels for any blockage, etc. , and if necessary to implant a stent.  The cath probe is able to determine the heart's internal pressures and that may be the application for you?! .

I'm not sure how the hole in the heart wall causes a headache.  With a hole in the heart's ventricle or atrium will cause oxygenated blood received from the lungs to pass from the left chamber to the right chamber...now the right chamber has a mixture of oxygenated blood from the lungs and blood that is pumped to the lungs...this usually isn't a problem.

But if the pressure is higher in the right chamber than the left chamber, the blood from the right chamber will mix with good oxygenated blood and pumped into circulation.  This could cause a problem of chest pain, fatigue, shortness of breath, etc. if severe.  

[pelonis]

I had a stress test last year and it was normal.

From the conversations I had with my PCP and neurologist, I understand that they are suspecting something with the heart, lungs, and/or the link between them.

[pelonis]

Hi ken

Very helpful information as always. Thank you.

I went to see my PCP and neurologist in the last couple of days. They decided that I should have a esophageal echo. I am also going to see a cardiologist. Initially my PCP thought that I should have cardiac catheterization but later they wanted to go with esophageal echo. I don't know how these two tests are diferent.

Do you know when esophageal echo is preferred to cardiac catheterization?

My neurologist says that having chest pain and head pressure all the time could be because of a hole in the heart. According to him this can also cause pulmonary pressure. He also thinks that MVP won't give round the clock chest pain.

I used to have lot of problem with shortness of breath. Sometime last year I had a kidney stone, and I started drinking 3-4 liters of water during that time. I observed that drink lot of water was helping with my shortness of breath too.  So I continued. Even for my current symptoms of chest pain and head pressure, drinking lot of water helps a bit.

[kenkeith]

If a valve causes chest pain, the valve leakage would need to be severe.  Heart related chest pain almost always indicates insufficient blood to heart tissues.  If the left side valves are severely insufficient due to leakage, the cardiac output would have to be low enough to cause other medical problems such as shortness of breath, muscle fatigue, etc.

Sometimes pulmonary hypertension can be due to embolism (clots) and chest pain is an expected symptom.  This would be a respiratory concern if an issue...a heart problem seems to have been ruled out and of no concern.

[pelonis]

Hi kenkeith,

Thank you again.

I met my PCP today. He said my valve leakage is not significant. He also said that I do not need any beta blockers and can go ahead with regular physical activities with out any restrictions.


I have chest pain. headache, and anxiety 24x7x365. Atleast for chest pain there won't be any break. Anxiety and headache sometimes subside. But I don't know if the chest pain is because of the prolapse or not. My PCP thinks it can be because of it. So I believe him. But I am also a bit concerned if something else is silently doing the damage inside.

Also, my PCP didn't make any comments about pulmonary hypertension. His response about the report was 'your heart is healthy, just forget about the report'. Do you think I should see a cardiologist and take second opinion? Or could there be a valid reason why my PCP didn't worry about the pulmonary hypertension?

Please add your comments. Thanks in advance.

[kenkeith]

Valve leakage (regurgitation) with prolapse isn't an unusual condition and may never advance to moderate, severe category.  Mild increase in pulmonary pressure (pulmonary hypertension)...you may want to find the underlying cause.  

As unrelieved pulmonary hypertension can lead to right-sided heart failure. Signs and symptoms of pulmonary hypertension are often subtle and nonspecific. The diagnosis Pulmonary hypertension is a complex problem characterized by nonspecific signs and symptoms and having multiple potential causes. It may be defined as a pulmonary artery systolic pressure greater than 30 mm Hg or a pulmonary artery mean pressure greater than 20 mm Hg. Symptoms can be shortness of breath, chest pain, fatigue, etc.

[pelonis]

Thank you for your response. I have chest pain, headache, and anxiety all the time. Could they be happening because of my heart condition?

Does the summary of the report sound alarming/bad?

What can be done to improve my heart condition?

Thanks in advance.

[kenkeith]

Question: "Intact systolic heart function with mitral regurgitation, mitral valve prolapse, aortic valve thickening, tricuspid valve prolapse, and tricuspid regurgitation with mild increase in estimated pulmonary pressure".

>>>Left ventricle is pumping adequatey.  The valve (mitral valve) that separates the upper left chamber and the lower left chamber (ventricle) has one or more of the leaflets that does not close sufficiently (prolapse) enough to prevent blood flowing back into the upper chamber.  Regurgitation is the medical term for the back flow of blood.  Aortic valve thickening (valve between left ventricle and aorta) usually the result of some calcification of the orifice (opening)...not unexpected as one ages and can cause some leakage.

Pulmonary pressure measures the pressure in the pulmonary vessel.  If severe it could cause a heart disorder.