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722116 tn?1230656321

Son diagnosed with leaky heart valves

Hi, Im new here, and just looking for help and answers. My son is 14 yrs old. Born when I was 6 months pregnant. He was born with lung and heart issues and spent the first 2 years in Childrens Hsp in Cinci, Oh. He was diagnosed with Laringomalcia, Trachiamalcia, A heart murmur. A heart artery that crossed his trachia that made his asthma worse than normal. We fought for years to keep him alive. He began to get better as he grew. Began playing sports at age of 6, with mom holding all meds on the side lines. Has played ball up to this year, where we have had a battle keeping him well. He began having chest pains during the summer, Wasnt playing out side fought asthma really hard. Took him to doctors all the time. Called a pediatric cardiologist out of Louisville Ky to check him out. Found out he has two leaking heart valves that are still considered in the normal range. And is now required every three months to have and EKG. I take him in Jan for another EKG and a stress test. But my worry is, he seems to be sleeping more, tireing faster, not riding his bike, not playing basketball in the yard. Did not sign up for sports this winter. And he is so pale with resessed eyes that are always surrounded with dark circles. I dont know what to keep an eye out for, Im so lost. I know his asthma sometimes when he coughs I know it is an asthma cough and other times Im lost. He cant play or wrestle in the floor he starts coughing and holding his chest I noticed he is using his nebulizer a lot more. Like he has terrible shortness of breath. Please can anyone help me. Im sorry I have rambled on here but I am so scared and just need some advise. Thank you
BubbasMommy
3 Responses
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367994 tn?1304953593
The word "seep" indicates the leakage is not significant.  Regurgitation that is moderate to severe is a concern.  Apparently, the echo results are negative!  Has there been a chest X-ray?  Probably the focus should be on pulmonary issues.  Ask the doctor what is expected or to be ruled out with a stress test and EKG?  
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722116 tn?1230656321
He had the echo done in Oct. where we found the two leaking valve. When heart releases blood to the body blood seeps back into the heart. Also the valve that takes blood into the heart seeps back into the body. His heart murmur has been there since they day he was born. Now a Stress test is sched for Jan. as well as the EKG. I wonder if there is something else I can request to be done, I just worry that something is going on that has not been addressed.
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367994 tn?1304953593
Sorry to hear of your son's medical problems. It seems to me an echocariogram would be the appropriate procedure to determine if blood flow through the valves is normal  and whether or not there is a hole between right and left atria.  

An EKG is not very good to determine heart chamber and wall size, valve integrity, normal hear position within the chest cavity, and structure, etc.  SOB, fatigue, etc. is an indication of a reduction of sufficient blood/oxygen and can be respiratory or heart issues or both.
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