Any replies appreciated...as always 8-)

[EireCara]

*HI Everyone....As we head into a NEW YEAR, Iv decided NOT to try to 'limp' my way through another year feeling like I do ''awful most of the time'' ...actually I dont feel like I can do it this year.....Im tired ....soo... Iv been reading tons of 'old' posts these last few days..hours and hours of reading. with a view to DEMAND (in the nicest possible way), something positive done to sort out my symptoms.(I have moderate MVR with 3 clefts on the anterior leaflets, with 'LOTS' of symptoms, SOB, irr heartbeats, low energy, chest pain(possible arterial spasm ??)....and I was wondering if you guys could answer a few questions for me !!! On an echo I had done in September it says....

Ao (I assume that is Aortic) Diameter 3.40 ....is this normal ??

Mitral Pulmonary Pressure 35mm and 41mm...is this normal, or could this be the cause of my shortness of breath (lungs clear)

EF 78.28 is this ''high'' or with ef is it ''the higher the better'' type of thing?

Any relies greatly appreciated.....Best Wishes...Jacqui

 

[EireCara]

Ps.....

Ps.....

*Just to say my avatar is KILKENNY CASTLE..Ireland, in case anyone is interested or wondering !!!!

 

[Marguerite53]

Not a numbers person; always leave that to the professionals so can't help you there. I do want to commend you on your attitude. I think your symptoms warrant respect from the doctors and I think you should push to find some resolution for them.

I believe that those with Mitral issues sometimes have more problems with depression. I'm wondering if that is something you should bring up to your doctor. Perhaps addressing the possibility that your symptoms are arising from the combined heart issues and some depression might get you some relief as you wait for your numbers to worsen and lead you into surgery. Please investigate that as a possibility.

Keep us posted on what your endeavors achieve for you. It is definitley time that you become a strong advocate for yourself. No one can help you unless they know that you need it, so you must voice your concerns. Oftentimes you can find a nurse in the doctor's office who is particularly knowledgeable, or at least who speaks in a way that is most helpful. Keep trying!!

Marguerite

 

[aussiemember]

Jacqui,

From my understanding a high ejection fraction is not always good. I'm sure someone will be along who can explain why that is the case. So glad that you are feeling more assertive and ready to demand some answers. At my last cardio visit in December I basically harassed the guy as to why it was OK for my surgery to wait for a while. I found that because I had a lot of knowledge from VR.com I was able to be more assertive and to question him more thoroughly. So good luck with it all - let us know when the appointment is so that we can pray for you. Also, I have been wondering - how are things going with your son and his heart??? Take care - Jeanne

 

[Barbara Stewart]

Like Marguerite, I am not a numbers person, but I picked up on how awful you feel. I agree that you need to become your own advocate. I don't know how your medical system works, but if your current doc won't listen to you, find one who will. Remember, IT'S YOUR BODY, NOT HIS.
Keep us posted. I'm sure others will be along who can explain the technical stuff.
Happy New Year!
Barbara

 

[tobagotwo]

The aortic opening diameter is fine.

I agree with Aussiemember. In your instance, a high ejection fraction is not a good sign. It's very likely associated with ventricular hypertrophy, caused by your mitral regurgitation. It would also likely be turning symptomatic, although your leakage has only been described as "moderate" at this time. The symptomatic effects it's having on you are more than what are usually associated with moderate regurgitation.

You should look over your old echo results and compare ventricular measurements from then to now. There will be growth, I'm sure. It's possible that you haven't quite crossed over the "normal" line yet, but you should show the difference to your doctor. Also check both atrial measurements for growth, if they show on the results. If he shows no interest or pooh-poohs it, you need to find another cardiologist (preferrably from a different office) for a second opinion.

I realize that may be difficult in your medical system, but your cardiologist seems indifferent to your symptoms and high EF, which should be disturbing him.

In my opinion (such as it is), you're right. It's time to stand up for yourself.

Best wishes,

 

[EireCara]

HI Jeanne......

HI Jeanne......

*HI Jeanne, My son has been fine. He is still taking a beta blocker. We are hoping to get an event monitor soon...why, I dont know...because they saw the ''events'' on a monitor in the hospital. But we must follow their guidance and hope it was a once off thing.....actually I dont believe that, so I worry about him every minute of the day...especially when he is not in my sight !!! Another thing that troubles me however, is that Thomas doesnt 'look well'. Its not since the event. He looked terribly, and I mean terribly, pale for a couple of months leading to it, and seemed to catch one cold/virus after the other. A couple of my friends have commented on how ''white'' he is. But my resolve to get results for myself is nothing compared to that for my son. In fact I think it is the need to take care of him that has spurred me on to get results for myself as well. *Thank you for thinking of him Jeanne. I hope your doing ok. Best Wishes..Jacqui

 

[EireCara]

Hi Bob....

Hi Bob....

*Hi Bob... Top of my list of things to do asap, is to get copies of my old echos etc, as I dont have any in my possession. As soon as I get them I can do the comparrisons, which I agree will give me information as to why Im feeling this way. Thank you for your reply

 

[EireCara]

*Thank you Barbara, and HAPPY NEW YEAR TO YOU TOO.

*Marguerite....Thank you, and yes I will definitely 'keep trying'...I have felt 'unwell' since my teens so im aiming for ''feeling great...well, mabey good'' for the next part of my life.

 

[ruth]

I agree with Marguerite, from what I've experienced, and from what my surgeon has told me, there is a correlation between Mitral problems and depression. I've been treated for the past 3 years with antidepressants and I'm starting to think that there's no coincidence between my worsening depression and the worsening mitral valve. My surgeon, who comes from a family full of psychiatrists of all things, reasoned that since many mitral patients are keenly aware of their own hearts, of the irregularities of beats, etc, that perhaps it literaly makes us too aware of our own mortality. I know that for me medication really, really helps keep my depression in line these days. I used to be able to control it with lots of sunshine (I drive a convertible for that reason) and hobbies that I love. It will be *very* interesting to see if the MVR surgery changes my psychiatric profile in that regard. I think it will, I think it will relieve that constant fatigue, the constant lack of energy that would bring almost anyone down. I wish the same for you as well.

Please, EireCara, do advocate strongly for yourself and your health, in so doing you will be advocating for your son and loved ones as well. We moms know that we know our babies best, similarly, we humans know our OWN bodies best.

Take care, Ruth

 

[Nan]

Glad you are advocating for both your son and now yourself too!!!!

Let us know how you make out.

 

[Lisa in Katy]

I had a very high EF too, but unlike you, I thought I was pretty much asymptomatic before surgery, even though my murmur had been severe for several years. I pretty much insisted on the surgery, because after some research and talking with my doctor, I decided that I would rather have the surgery while I was still healthy because the recovery is much easier. Interestingly enough, after the cath, the doctor said that I was definitely ready, and that most people with a heart like mine would be dead. After the surgery, I found that I did have symptoms before, but I didn't know it. After living with a murmur in the moderate to severe level for more than 20 years, I had gotten used to being short of breath and thought it was normal!

I can't remember the exact reason for the high EF, but there is a thread on here somewhere that discusses it. Something to do with the intensity of the jet, and the amount of backflow through the mitral valve.

I know the health system in Ireland is different, but if you can, insist on a Cath at least. It could show the docs a lot more than they are seeing with the Echo. I also recommend having the surgery while you are healthy, not "almost dead". My recovery was awesome! I was up walking on day 3, and would have been earlier, but was still in ICU and had too many gadgets attached.

 

[briansmom]

I can't answer any of your numbers questions, but I am still worried about your son. Is he anemic? My son had a bleeding ulcer from his heart problems. During puberty anemia is even more likely because they are growing.

I am so sorry that you are in this position of dealing with your own health issues and your son. That would be enough to stress and depress any one!

I am thinking about you both.

 

[davidfortune]

I agree with Bob. Your EF seems abnormally high especially given a "moderate" regurgitation rating. It could very well be caused by enlargement of the heart (cardiomyopathy).

As my heart enlarged over time, my EF actually increased. A larger % of blood be ejected but probably a SMALLER total volume of blood ejected with each heartbeat. Total volume ejected is not something you can readily measure on an echo.

Press for what you feel is right.

Good Luck,
David

 

[aussiemember]

*HI Jeanne, My son has been fine. He is still taking a beta blocker. We are hoping to get an event monitor soon...why, I dont know...because they saw the ''events'' on a monitor in the hospital. But we must follow their guidance and hope it was a once off thing.....actually I dont believe that, so I worry about him every minute of the day...especially when he is not in my sight !!! Another thing that troubles me however, is that Thomas doesnt 'look well'. Its not since the event. He looked terribly, and I mean terribly, pale for a couple of months leading to it, and seemed to catch one cold/virus after the other. A couple of my friends have commented on how ''white'' he is. But my resolve to get results for myself is nothing compared to that for my son. In fact I think it is the need to take care of him that has spurred me on to get results for myself as well. *Thank you for thinking of him Jeanne. I hope your doing ok. Best Wishes..Jacqui

Jacqui, Thanks for the update on your son and sorry to hear that he is still not looking well. I totally understand that as a mother you are worried about him. Keep pushing for answers and perhaps try and get some more testing done. Have they done blood tests for possible other causes of his continually feeling unwell??? Xrays?? Also I'm so glad that you are going to push about your own health and insist that something is done. As you say - it is important for your children that you are healthy and able to be there for them. Let us know how it all goes and what you are able to arrange as far as appointments and tests for the both of you. I will be keeping the two of you in my thoughts - Jeanne

 

[EireCara]

*Thank you Ruth, and thank you Nan for your replies.

*Lisa, I am due to have an ablation soon and the doc said he would do a cath at the same time, and possibly fit a pacemaker. He said it would happen before Xmas, so I would now think it will happen in Jan. Though I feel the cath would be beneficial, Im not convinced I need the ablation !! Thank you for your reply.

*Briansmom...Thomas had bloods taken in the hospital, but with things virtually closing down for Xmas we didnt get the results yet. Next week, after the New Year holiday I will follow it up, as Im thinking 'anemia' as well.
Thank you for your reply 8)

*Thank you David for taking the time to reply.

*Thank you Jeanne

 

[tobagotwo]

This should take you to a post on ventricular hypertrophy, which should include something on my understanding of the meaning of a high EF in a valve-troubled heart...

http://www.valvereplacement.com/forums/showthread.php?p=177474&highlight=cycle#post177474

Best wishes,

 

[EireCara]

*Thank you Bob..