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Avatar universal

valve probem

A family member has a 1+ valve insufficiency, then three months later a 2/6 systolic murmur.  Is that the same thing.....an increasing or decreasing valve?   Doctors are not concerned.   Is a valve nsufficiency the same as a systolic murmur?  Or related?  
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21064 tn?1309308733
Valve insufficiency, sometimes called valve regurgitation (or leakage) is sometimes graded on a scale of 1 to 4, with 4 being the most severe.  I believe that an insufficiency of 1+ would be classified as “mild”.  Depending on the patient’s overall medical situation, periodic echocardiograms may be suggested.  That way, doctors can evaluate whether the insufficiency has progressed.  Many times, it does not.  But, it is always important to notify your doctor of any new, or changing symptoms.

Murmurs are sometimes graded on a scale of 1 to 6, with 6 being the most medically significant.  A murmur of 2/6 would probably be considered a relatively quiet murmur.  

When my doctor first heard a heart murmur, I was referred for an echocardiogram.  The echo determined the murmur was a result of mitral valve regurgitation.  In that regard, the two are related.
Helpful - 2
21064 tn?1309308733
You're welcome.  I would agree that the severity of the valve leakage is given a value of 1 to 4.  The "loudness" of the murmur is graded on a scale of 1 to 6.  

A doctor would be able to hear changes in the "loudness" of the murmur.  However, the "loudness" is not always an indicator of the severity of the leak.  The degree of the leak can be determined by an echocardiogram.

As for the attacks, I really don't have any idea if they could be related to a cardiac condition.  What I do know is that the murmur that you mentioned does not seem to suggest anything to worry about.  Perhaps a complete physical examination by an internist would be helpful.  Best wishes.
Helpful - 1
Avatar universal
A related discussion, foaming of the mouth was started.
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
This could be a seziure disorder or a heart arrythmia. If not already down an EEG, neuro exam and a MRI of the brain should be done. If the attacks occur on a monthly basis a 30 day event monitor could be done to capture what the heart is doing during an attack.

Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
Thanks for the information.  As mentioned to the doctor, I am still a touched confused.   But one is the murmer and the other is the
size of the leakage from what I read from your post.  Is that correct.
How can a person tell if they numbers of each are growing?  The person is having attacks and goes to emergency and they send them home.  They are also foaming at the mouth during attacks, sore backs, sweating, falling down/dizzy, moans and screams during attacks, major leg tremors, involuntary muscle movements in the
arms, high heart rate....to me seems like heart attacks.  They the person home.   So has us concerned.  Been going on for 12/14
months.  Once in a while an EKG is taken.  Or doctor checks with
a stethoscope..but about it.  Blaming it on the persons behavior, saying she isi doing it for attention.  I would wonder how a person sweats, foams at the mouth on demand for attention.  Again, sure seems like major heart problems.  I did a google search on "heart attacks foaming mouth" and it has a few hits where people with attacks have been witnessed foaming at the mouth.  Not seizures.  Thanks.
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
Thanks for your comments.  I am still confused on what is the
difference in a 1+ valve insufficiency and a 2/6 systolic murmur.
So the 1 valve insufficiency is the size of the valve leakage and
the 2/6 is the sound of the murmur?  
Helpful - 0
230125 tn?1193365857
MEDICAL PROFESSIONAL
The grade of the murmur is a very subjective finding and can vary by listener.  Findings on echocariogram are much more objective.  1+ regurg is nothing to worry about.  We starting thinking about action when it gets to moderate or severe depending on the clinical circumstances.

Thanks for posting.
Helpful - 0

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