Possible PH

[JennySnider]

I have had an echo done where I was told that I have mild to moderate mitral valve regurgitation. The pressure was 47mmhg. I saw a pulmonologist  who said he believes I have secondary pulmonary hypertension. Waiting to here from my cardiologist. Kinda freaking out. Should I be worried?

[Jonathan D. Rich, MD]

Hello and welcome to the forum.

Let me be very clear about something here (wish should make those who read this post feel better).  Pulmonary hypertension due to mitral regurgitation will go away when the MR is fixed.  This type of PH is not the life threatening form you read about on the internet or on the PHA's website.

In the case of "mild-moderate" MR, you may or may not even have PH as echo can be quite unreliable.  And if PH is present (47 is fairly mild) and is likely due to a combination of things (and the PH should not be the concern but rather the other associated conditions---ie high blood pressure, diabetes, obesity, sleep apnea, etc etc).

Good luck.

Dr. Rich

[Missypauline]

I think secondary just means it was caused by another medical problem which is obviously the Mitral Valve Regurgitation, for both of us. Like you, I do not understand how this will impact my lifespan, as my research into PH does not make one optimistic. I wish you the best of luck with your journey. I suggest you check out the PH Association's web sight because they will send you a free and wonderful book on PH. I have just begun to read it myself and hope to have some answers soon.