How to cope with aortic and mitral valve prolapses

[Hartjie]

Hi - I am new on this page. For one year now I `ve been diagnosed with both mitral and aortic valve prolapses. Actually I was so shocked, couldn`t really think clearly to ask the cardiologist what special precautions I should take to avoid surgery or a worse condition. My condition was rated "mild to moderate". Should I exercise or not, should I be on a special diet, what about extra vitamins / minerals to help me... I want to do as much I can to be alive for so long I can. I am 37years - female - with history of Hodgkin`s , shingles, few operations done, e.g. gallbladder removal (where they say I got the mitral valve prolapse from)
I am on 4 meds: bisoprolol (concor 2.5mg /day) valsartan (diovan 40gm/day), digoxin (0.25mg/day) and lasix 20mg/day.
According to these drugs, do I have a severe case on my hands, or should I state ... on my heart?
I do feel tired the most of time, seems to in lack of energy and whizz for life... find it difficult to climb stairs and walk briskly. And I am afraid to do anything, because of my condition.

 

[Ross]

Hello Hartjie and welcome to VR

I moved your post to your own thread so it can be addressed tailored to your questions.

Yes you should excerise normally or however your Doctor tells you. If you can eat healthier, it might be a wise decision as it would be for anyone really.
Drugs will prolong the problem and stave off surgery, but sooner or later, surgery will be needed.

Stay in shape as best you can, if symptoms develop, tell your doctor and enjoy your life.

 

[Hartjie]

Hello Hartjie and welcome to VR

Thank you Ross for inspiring words. The following symptoms are noticed:
Feeling exhausted, especially in hot weather conditions need some air on me to breath more comfortably.
Find it really difficult to exercise - do you mean doing aerobics - as I feel I can not strain my heart... is it all in my mind? ... or should I put a little strain onto it during exercise.
Having low bp 90/ 60- you should know how it feels - with a heart rate of 100.
Are these symptoms OK?
How do I include a picture of me for this forum?

 

[Ross]

The symptoms are normal and you should excercise as much as you can tolerate. I'd push it a little but nothing too vigorous. Your body will pretty well regulate what it's limits are, so don't worry too much about that.

To post a picture, you first must find an image you want to post and resize it to 100 x 100 pixels or smaller. Then you can upload the image to the server in your user control panel at the top left of the screen (Usercp) it's under edit profile I do beleive.