Anxiety, frustration and just plain scared. I knew I had MVP with leaking but did not know that open heart surgery would be required down the road. Really?? ...Read more
Anxiety, frustration and just plain scared. I knew I had MVP with leaking but did not know that open heart surgery would be required down the road. Really?? I have moderate prolapse of the anterior mitral valve leaflet and mild prolapse of the posterior mitral leaflet. There is moderate mitral valve regurgitation. My doc say "wait and see". After getting all this info from Adam's site, I am going visit my doctor, I want to get all the facts. but I am 65 and I don't want to wait!! Linda
MaryAnn Laser Hi Linda
The same thing happened to me.I have had this condition since I was 17 and I am now 65.I hav ... Read more
MaryAnn Laser Hi Linda
The same thing happened to me.I have had this condition since I was 17 and I am now 65.I have monitored it throughout the years but this Jan I went to the ER with chest pains.They thought there was a blockage but there was not.Instead they found that my condition went from moderate to severe.I never had any symptoms and as it turns out my ER visit had nothing to do with my heart.That was in Jan my surgery is scheduled for Tues.The surgeon said he is 90% to 95% sure he can repair my valve and said it isn't an emergency but should have it done this year, I decided to have it done now before it gets worse.
This website is a God-sent My condition was moderate for a very long time and with people that have this it can stay that way for a lifetime.
Good idea to get it checked further
Good luck and I hope this helped !
MaryAnn
Amy Steele Welcome to this site, Linda. There are lots of people who have had similar experiences and can answer ... Read more
Amy Steele Welcome to this site, Linda. There are lots of people who have had similar experiences and can answer a lot of your questions. Get all of the information you can from your doctor... They usually don't want to operate until the risks of waiting outweigh the risks of surgery, so you may have to wait while monitoring the disease and symptoms. I've known all my life that I'd need surgery, and had to wait until the age of 52 for aortic valve replacement. We're here for you!
Kathy Blank Linda- I had my robotic mitral valve repair 2 months ago. My MV Prolapse progressed to severe regurgi ... Read more
Kathy Blank Linda- I had my robotic mitral valve repair 2 months ago. My MV Prolapse progressed to severe regurgitation (posterior leaflet flailing) as noted in June 2016 echo- one cardiologist said wait til symptoms and second opinion cardiologist said NO! We aren't waiting til your heart is damaged! I went to 3 surgeons who gave the best insight because they all performed lots of surgeries. I had NO symptoms and was glad to take care of my valve quickly! Very thankful for miracles of modern medicine!
Linda Mahan Thank all of you for your responses.
MaryAnn L. you are in my prayers. Good decision to have it done ... Read more
Linda Mahan Thank all of you for your responses.
MaryAnn L. you are in my prayers. Good decision to have it done now, That's what I would do too.
It is so helpful to hear about your experiences. I realize now that surgery is usually required when regurgitation is severe. so I am going to get some other opinions and get monitored closely! Is an ECHO the best test to have to measure the stage of the regurgitation? Thanks again everyone, I don't fell so alone.
Amy Steele Linda, yes the echocardiogram is the best way to measure the regurgitation. They'll generally want t ... Read more
Amy Steele Linda, yes the echocardiogram is the best way to measure the regurgitation. They'll generally want to do a TEE (transesophageal echocardiogram - from inside through the esophagus) to get a better look before surgery though. The transducer is closer to the heart and it's easier to see everything from inside... I agree with Kathy that you shouldn't wait until your heart is damaged before surgery. Regular monitoring of your heart by your cardiologist is essential to make sure that your heart will be able to recover once it's time for surgery. Over many years, as the calcification of my aortic valve got worse, my appointments with the cardiologist went from every two years, to every year, to every 6 months to every 4 months, to every 2 months. I am fortunate to have seen the same cardiologist for over 20 years so he knows me and my heart very well. I required aortic valve and root replacement as well as aortic aneurysm repair, so my surgery was a big one and they didn't want to do it too soon... or wait too long either. You are not alone in this journey! Keep asking questions...
Linda Mahan Amy thanks for your comments. I have heard of TEE but never really knew what it was about. I can't be ... Read more
Linda Mahan Amy thanks for your comments. I have heard of TEE but never really knew what it was about. I can't believe what you have been through. It's awesome you have such a great relationship with your cardiologist. I have lots of questions to ask my dr. on my next visit. I am going to make appts. for consuls at the three hospital I am considering for surgery. I don't know when I will need surgery (moderate regurgitation) but from reading what patients have written, I realize how quickly moderate can become severe or symptoms begin .I want to know where I want to go and what type of procedure I hope to have,
The same thing happened to me.I have had this condition since I was 17 and I am now 65.I hav ... Read more
The same thing happened to me.I have had this condition since I was 17 and I am now 65.I have monitored it throughout the years but this Jan I went to the ER with chest pains.They thought there was a blockage but there was not.Instead they found that my condition went from moderate to severe.I never had any symptoms and as it turns out my ER visit had nothing to do with my heart.That was in Jan my surgery is scheduled for Tues.The surgeon said he is 90% to 95% sure he can repair my valve and said it isn't an emergency but should have it done this year, I decided to have it done now before it gets worse.
This website is a God-sent My condition was moderate for a very long time and with people that have this it can stay that way for a lifetime.
Good idea to get it checked further
Good luck and I hope this helped !
MaryAnn
MaryAnn L. you are in my prayers. Good decision to have it done ... Read more
MaryAnn L. you are in my prayers. Good decision to have it done now, That's what I would do too.
It is so helpful to hear about your experiences. I realize now that surgery is usually required when regurgitation is severe. so I am going to get some other opinions and get monitored closely! Is an ECHO the best test to have to measure the stage of the regurgitation? Thanks again everyone, I don't fell so alone.