19years old - BAV & Tachycardia HELP

[hannahblack93]

Hi All,
2months ago went to my GP complaining of feeling dizzy and my heart pounding all the time.
ECG and Echocardiagram later showed a Bicuspid Aortic Valve and suspected Tachycardia due to resting heart rate 130bpm.
Bloods came back normal and I am otherwise a healthy teen.
I feel concerned as I was told no further treatment needed and to come in for an Echo every 5years.
With heart rate so fast ALL the time I thought medication would have been considered to slow it down, so it's not working so hard all the time.
I really don't know much about either issues (my doctor explained very little) and have been googling information and found myself here.
Would really appreciate any advice or feedback regarding my worries..

 

[pellicle]

130 all the time?

I would occasionally have bouts of that, but my Drs said that as long as it was infrequent it wasn't an issue. That was both before and after my 2nd OHS (which was a valve replacement).

If you are having it all the time then that's a worry and I'd suggest seeing a cardiologist (not a GP).

 

[hannahblack93]

Lowest monitored was 110 and highest was 140bpm. (resting)
Is it possibly a symptom of BAV rather than a Tachycardia?

 

[Agian]

Hannah, I've had a naturally high heart rate, even at your age. My resting heart rate would fluctuate between 100 and 120, left to its own devices. Tachycardia is not some type of disease, it is just a description of a HR over 100. It may even be anxiety related. I was put on a type of tablet called a beta blocker, which slows it down. But this was only because I have a stenosed bicuspid. It would be nice if your cardiologist could keep your rate and blood pressure under control. It may help keeping your bicuspid valve from acting up in a couple of decades. Most of us would suggest you see a cardiologist to monitor your valve. Otherwise, you're probably fit and healthy. Don't smoke.

PS I was an anxious teenager as well. The more you check your pulse, the more likely it will be raised.

 

[hannahblack93]

Again,
Thank you for your advice. I will ask for a referral to a cardiologist when i see my doctor next week.
I know smoking is damaging to your body regardless, but could it effect a person more so with heart conditions such as the BAV?

 

[pellicle]

Again,
Thank you for your advice. I will ask for a referral to a cardiologist when i see my doctor next week.

Excellent move

I know smoking is damaging to your body regardless, but could it effect a person more so with heart conditions such as the BAV?

If a rope is tough you can cut some of its strands and it does not break. If a rope is damage you can't cut it as much.

I reckon smoking is about the most stupid thing anyone with heart issues can do. Now if you said an occasional puff on a pipe, the odd cigar, I'd say probably fine. But factory made cigarettes are just dreadful.

Like any drug its dose and frequency of dose that's the issue. Smoke more than one a day every day?

Give it up, its not something you do for enjoyment, its a drug addiction that provides very little.

<off soapbox now/>

 

[Agian]

I reckon your valve is working fine and is free of calcium, otherwise he wouldn't be saying 'see you in five years'. Now most cardiologists would suggest you just have an echo once a year. But I'm starting to think there's scope for prevention. There is so much interesting stuff going on with Losartan, and some of the vitamins. If you have a high-ish blood pressure, even if it's borderline, lowering it may help; getting your heart-rate down can't hurt either. If you didn't have a bicuspid valve, you could forget about this stuff. Ring around and find a cardiologist who has an 'interest' in bicuspid valves, make an appointment and then see your GP for a referral letter. If you can minimise having issues in 20 to thirty years, that will be an added bonus. If you need an operation in middle age, I reckon it will be a breeze by then. Don't smoke. It will increase the chances of your valve narrowing later on. Too much alcohol and coffee will increase your heart-rate, which will probably make you even more anxious.

 

[Paleowoman]

Hi Hannah - my bicuspid aortic valve was discovered when I was in my early 20s. I'm now just 60 and it's only the past three years that I've been having six monthly echos but not had the valve replaced yet ! My heart rate was always very fast when I was younger, between 90 and 100, now that I do lots of exercise it's down to 'normal' of around 70.