Interesting Cardio Visit

[Jim]

I just came back from my annual checkup and the doctor gave me another year to relax before I contemplate AVR surgery. When I was originally diagnosed in Feb. 2001, he prescribed high blood pressure medicine for me to hopefully prolong the need for surgery.

The effects of taking this drug are as follows:

Original reading: Moderate stenosis and moderate to severe regurgitation. My heart was also slightly enlarged.

(started taking high blood pressure medicine)

Second reading: Pretty much the same. I think there was a slight increase in valve regurgitation.

Third reading: Stenosis got better and my heart started to return to normal size.

Forth reading (yesterday): Stabilized. Everything was pretty much the same as the last time.

The doctor on my last visit did say that if things started to change for the worse, he would recommend surgery.

The interesting thing is that he mentioned to me that he just returned from a conference and he heard that there is a study of people taking medicine for high cholesterol w/ valve problems. The results were that high cholesterol medicine can actually stabilize and improve their faulty valve problems.

I did a quick search on the internet to look for additional details and have not come up with anything on this yet. Has anyone heard of this before?

Jim

 

[dbbrooks]

Yep, that's the direction that some of the latest research findings are going...that cholesteral, inflamation, ACE, and other factors involved in the atherosclerotic process are also involved in heart valve disease. Nothing conclusive but worthy of further investigation. Am sure others will have the references of the particulars on the research.

 

[ALCapshaw2]

A word of caution:

Cardiologists like to postpone surgery as long as possible.

The DOWNSIDE to this approach is that the heart muscles / walls can enlarge or thicken when compensating for a valve that is nearly closed. This can lead to PERMANENT DAMAGE. There have been a few reports on VR.com by very athletic young men who developed enlarged hearts in the last few WEEKS before their surgery and have had to limit their physical activity following surgery due to heart damage that may or may not be permanent. My own surgery was prolonged by slightly over a year (my card was hoping for 3 to 5 years) and I believe I got into surgery 'just in time'.

Bottom Line: If you feel ANY change in your symptoms, ask for another Echocardiogram ASAP. Personally, I would want to be checked every 6 months if things are changing.

Note that SURGEONS like to operate BEFORE permanent damage is done to the heart. I vote with the surgeons.

'AL'

 

[dwfreck]

Actually my cardiologist is suggesting surgery sooner rather than later, because my condition has gotten to the point where it could start causing permanent damage.

It's a very fine line we all walk between the trauma of OHS, which definitely does permanant damage to your body, and the benefits of OSH, which definitely improves your overall cardio-vascular condition and prolongs your life.

I agree with 'AL' about the six-month check-up. Again, that's what my cardiologist has been doing with me, ever since he gave me the three-to-five-years-until-surgery warning. We've been keeping a close watch on LV size and hypertrophy, and on any "symptoms" I might start feeling. I've started with "symptoms" so now I'm in the surgery-in-the-next-three-months category.

 

[McCln]

Jim

Jim

In my case, my valve problem was congetal, meaning that I was born with it, so there is no pill to cure a birth defect. I am not so sure about other forms of valve problems, if the medicine would work. Just get educated on options and do not rush on a decision. Take care.

Caroline
09-13-01
Aortic valve replacement
St. Jude's valve

 

[Jim]

Thanks for the feedback. I trust my cardiologist on his recommendations and I think everyone's advice is in line with what he is telling me. Last year, he said I would need AVR before I turn 60. This year, he gave me the 3 - 5 year reply and a stern "be prepared" warning that if ANY change takes place, we should start considering surgery.

He has worked with other young people in the Richmond area with the same problem and their outcomes have been successful. It is a fine line between deciding to wait or go for surgery. I would hope that when I fiinally lay in the operating room, it will be the right time (not to soon or too late).

I am an optimist in believing that new techniques, valves and medicines are being introduced each year that may alter my decisions about what valve to select, type of surgery and hospital. That is the reason I recommended for Hank to include the "New Advancements" forum a couple of years ago.

Thanks again for everyone's feedback!

Jim