About Me (In My Own Words)
I was diagnosed with mitral valve prolapse in the late 1970s, when I was entering 4th grade. I was subsequently monitored annually or bi-annually through high school. I never had any symptoms or problems and was very active. In my early 30s, nearly 20 years ago, I opted to have an echocardiogram to see how it was. The cardiologist who interpreted my results said I wouldn't be able to climb a flight of stairs in a month and that I needed immediate surgery. I was still symptomless and dumbfounded. I took the scans to my pediatric cardiologist and my father's cardiologist and they said the scans were of poor quality and that the only thing they could confirm was that I have MVP. They all said I should be monitored every six months. Well, I didn't do anything and went on with my life. In 2021 my husband, who also had asymptomatic MVP, was emergency hospitalized with endocarditis. He almost died and had to have mitral valve repair surgery. He is 59 years old. It was very scary. He is completely well now, three months after open heart surgery, but it scared me enough to go to his cardiologist. Now, I just had an echocardiogram and everything seems reasonably ok except for an extra beat and a severely enlarged left atrium. Cardiologist is suggesting a TEE next to further visualize regurgitation, which shows on echo as being mild to moderate. I still feel fine. Some palpitations, anxiety, etc. But I have been through a lot in the last couple years. Everything I read suggests that a severe dilation of the left atrium is the road to horrible things. I am scared and have never so much as broken a bone. Definitely don't want to be on meds or have surgery but on the other hand, if I can be cured, like my husband, maybe it will be the right thing.
More Info About Me & My Heart
More About Me
-
I am from:
Wilmette
-
I was diagnosed with:
Mitral Regurgitation
