systolic murmur

[sunny745]

I was told that I have a systolic murmur. Is a leaky valve associated with the blood pressure. Can any body highlight me with some information. I am waiting for my echo result on following monday.

The technician told me that I have a systolic murmur in one valve. Can an echocardiogram tell if there is a leak in the heart ?

Can somebody please write about this. Thanks for your precious time.

[sunny745]

Sorry I forgot to mention that the d dimer test is normal.

[sunny745]

Sorry I saw your Posting today. I have an aPPointment March 8th with the lung sPecialist for Pulmonary artery hyPertension. I donot have the systolic murmur now. I get PalPitations esPecially during mornings if i had stressed out Previous day. Twice i got PalPitations during driving my son to the school. I had to lie down in the floor. Now my heart rate is normal during all thru the day and night. I only get PalPitations and feel like as though i will Pass out but I dont Pass out. I am still taking the salt and water the cardiologist asked me take in excess. Thanks for your Posting. Sunitha

[kenkeith]

I have had computer problems so I m now first reading your post.

Did the d-dimmer test rule out any clots? The report doesn't indicate any  problems with the left side of the heart, but a better test for pulmonary pressure would be a cath.

Although pulmonary arterial pressure can be estimated on the basis of echocardiography, pressure measurements with a Swan-Ganz catheter provides the most definite assessment.  A Swan-Ganz catheter can also measure the cardiac output, which is far more important in measuring disease severity than the pulmonary arterial pressure.

.

[sunny745]

I had been tot he caridologist today. As soon as I am back I am writing to you. Today I stayed at my husband's sisters place.

The doctor saw my reports and asked me if i felt like fainting, dizziness, or light headed. I told him about the almost faint. Since I did not totally pass out he said that was good.
He put me on holter monitor today. I do have a echo stress test. He said I dont need a d-dimer test. But since I asked for it he is getting it done.

here is the summary of the report

Tachycardia during the procedure
Normal Left ventricular ejection fraction
No significant valvular abnormalities.
Mild pulmonary hypertension, pulmonary artery systolic pressure 46mmHg.

The first 3 are normal but the doctor was slightly worried about the 4th one and he said probobaly it might be due to anxiety too.
Outside of the summary a mild mitral regurge and a tricuspid regurge was written and the doctor did not even talk about it to me. Looked like he was not worried about that at that.
My Anterior Mitral leaflets slightly thickened, But no evidence of vegetation or prolapse.  
Will keep you posted.

[kenkeith]

A Happy New Year to you as well!.  The medical information you have provided does not evidence any cause for fainting.  The cause can be as innocuous as an electrolyte and hormone abnormalities. Unforunately, there are many causes, and may require a battery of tests. Stay in touch and take care.

[sunny745]

Thanks for you reply. A very Happy New Year. I have been diagonised with mild mitral leak and a trace tricuspid. I have been having fainting spells. Infact I called 911 today and ended up in the ER. They have put me on Lopressor 50 Mg. After which my sinus rhythm Blood pressure had normalised. They did a chest x ray which they said was normal. But still at times I feel I might pass out. What is going with me ??

[kenkeith]

Sorry for the misunderstanding.  I didn't mean system blood pressure.  When the blood pumps (systole) there is internal pressure within the left chamber that causes mitral valve leaflets to "bellow" into the upper chamber and the improper closing causes a murmur and the sound is the backflow of blood .  

For some insight mitral valve prolapse is a common condition occurring in approximately 4 - 18% of the population. It is defined as an abnormality of the mitral valves of the heart in which one or both mitral valve flaps close incompletely, often producing either a click or murmur. Conditions linked to MVP include magnesium deficiencies, increased catecholamine productions, anxiety, depression, migraines, allergies and asthma.

There could be other causes and/or no problem at all.  Take care.

[sunny745]

Thanks for your precious time and reply.

My blood pressure is normal. Does that mean "there is no valve prolaspe" ?
If my blood pressure is normal what else might cause systolic murmur ?

Just to give you the background, I went to my pcp for a high level of UTI infection. At that time she identified my systolic murmur which she mentioned was loud. Offlate I went there to take a second dose of antibiotics for the UTI (Since the first dose of livaquin did not help, I am on ciproflaxin right now) the pcp said this time the sound was moderate.
Is the murmur due to my high level of UTI. Since there might be a lot of blood flow thru' heart.

Thank you again

[kenkeith]

An echocardiogram is the appropriate test to evaluate heart valve functionality.  The test will assess the degree of regurgitation (leakage) of the valve and the leakage can be caused by the leaflets not fully closing the valve opening when the heart pumps blood into the body system and blood flows back into upper heart chamber.  Many people have mild leakage and heard on stethoscope, and that condition is not considered medically significant and almost always will not progress, and there are no limitations on lifestyle.

If the heart's internal pressure is causing leakage as you have indicated, that may be due to valve leaflet prolapse...the pressure causes the leaflets to not close properly when the pressure rises in the left chamber during the pumping phase (systolic).  Many indivduals have that problem and the condition often doesn't require intervention.