Since posting a recent blog about palpitations after heart valve surgery, I’ve received several questions about atrial fibrillation, also known as A-Fib.

Most of the questions focused on “learning the basics” of this irregular heart rhythm. Luckily, I located a great, educational video which addresses the core questions about A-Fib so I posted it below.

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As we have previously discussed, heart valve disease can be genetic. In my family, it appears that a gene for congenital bicuspid aortic valve runs through our DNA.

To this point, I just came across a good, educational video about two related patients – Joanne Kennedy and her daughter, Laura. Both Joanne and Laura required heart valve surgery by Dr. Patrick McCarthy at Northwestern Memorial Hospital. Here is a video which details their story:

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In the past, we have discussed the genetics of heart valve disease. (So you know… I, like my Great Uncle Mooney, suffered from a congenital bicuspid aortic valve which needed to be replaced.)

On the topic of heredity and heart valve disease, a new study was just published in the Journal of the American College of Cardiology which suggests that nearly a third of first-degree relatives (siblings, children or parents) of patients with a bicuspid aortic valve are likely to have enlarged aortas. This was found even in the absence of any abnormalities of the heart valve itself.

According to the study:

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I just received a unique question from Deana about aortic stenosis and erectile dysfunction.

She writes, “Hi Adam – My husband was just diagnosed this past January with aortic valve stenosis. His Cardiologist said that he was going to have to have open heart surgery to repair it. My question is can aortic stenosis cause erectile dysfunction? We have been trying to find a connection between those two and that is how we wound up on your web page. Any information you can give us would be great. Thank you, Deana”

When I don’t have a good answer to a patient question, I waste no time in “calling on the experts”. So, I emailed Dr. Eric Roselli, M.D., a leading cardiothoracic surgeon from The Cleveland Clinic. Minutes later, Dr. Roselli and I were on the phone chatting about Deana’s question. As aortic valve disease is one of Dr. Roselli’s specialties, he had A LOT of good information to share.

Like most physicians, Dr. Roselli appropriately suggested that Deana’s husband contact his own doctor to best understand the situation – given the unique nature of each patient case.

Then, Dr. Roselli addressed Deana’s question about erectile dysfunction and aortic stenosis.

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Janice has a question about mitral valve prolapse and panic attacks.

She writes to me, “Hi Adam – I’m curious to know if you’ve come across patients that have panic attacks and mitral valve prolapse? I’ve looked up the symptoms of mitral valve prolapse and I don’t see “panic attack” listed there, just anxiety. The reason I ask is my 59-year old husband was diagnosed with moderate-to-severe mitral regurgitation and I’ve noticed a very unusual, very anxious side to him lately. Is there any connection between this valve disease and panic attacks? Thanks, Janice”

So you know, Janice isn’t alone. I receive this question every once-and-a-while from patients and caregivers. Initially, my research did not suggest a direct connection between mitral valve prolapse and panic attacks. However, during the past few years more research about this co-occurrence has forced some members of the  medical community to take a position on this condition.

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