Christina L
Well-known member
Met with my former
Met with my former
cardiologist this morning to discuss my echo tape.
Bottom line - his words, "You are doing well, the regurgitation is trace to 1+, meaning not very much, and the stenosis is from your repair." The stenosis has not gotten worse in two years and the cardio believes the mitral valve area was the same size probably right after my surgery.
This cardio (who is older and supposedly very wise) said he has not seen a repair need replacement because of stenosis - he said it is not the same as stenosis from rheumatic fever. I asked him about that (which is question posted here a lot) - if my mitral valve damage was from rheumatic fever or congenital and he said my MPV is congenital and that there is no sign of rheumatic fever - so obviously they can tell what the valve is damaged from.
He said my heart shouldn't be stressed from the small valve area, which is a fear of mine, i.e. my heart will work harder to push that blood through.
My husband went to the appointment with me so he could hear what the doctor said and could remind me of the GOOD - I have a tendency to hear the "iffy" things and dwell on them.
He said to get checked yearly and "congratulations on your great repair."
I can't say I am 100% reassured about the stenosis, as I have found out from many sources that stenosis does happen after valve repair - too much stenosis that is.
One source told me to cut down on my calcium supplementation and the doc today told me to cut way back on my salt intake - saying "You should cut back on your salt intake because of the mitral stenosis, uh, er, the stenosis from your valve repair." He saw the look on my face when he said that and rephrased his words.
This doc said that cutting back on calcium probably wouldn't do too much, but hey, I will do whatever.
And yes, the biggest thing is to not stress - I know that - I need to enjoy life - each day, each moment! And to laugh more!
But, as Scarlett O'Hara said, "Oh fiddledeedee, I'll think about that tomorrow." There's the answer to all my questions and fears - to just not think about them!
Thank you all for your well wishes and concern. It means a lot to know that there are people who emphathize and care.
Christina L
Met with my former
cardiologist this morning to discuss my echo tape.
Bottom line - his words, "You are doing well, the regurgitation is trace to 1+, meaning not very much, and the stenosis is from your repair." The stenosis has not gotten worse in two years and the cardio believes the mitral valve area was the same size probably right after my surgery.
This cardio (who is older and supposedly very wise) said he has not seen a repair need replacement because of stenosis - he said it is not the same as stenosis from rheumatic fever. I asked him about that (which is question posted here a lot) - if my mitral valve damage was from rheumatic fever or congenital and he said my MPV is congenital and that there is no sign of rheumatic fever - so obviously they can tell what the valve is damaged from.
He said my heart shouldn't be stressed from the small valve area, which is a fear of mine, i.e. my heart will work harder to push that blood through.
My husband went to the appointment with me so he could hear what the doctor said and could remind me of the GOOD - I have a tendency to hear the "iffy" things and dwell on them.
He said to get checked yearly and "congratulations on your great repair."
I can't say I am 100% reassured about the stenosis, as I have found out from many sources that stenosis does happen after valve repair - too much stenosis that is.
One source told me to cut down on my calcium supplementation and the doc today told me to cut way back on my salt intake - saying "You should cut back on your salt intake because of the mitral stenosis, uh, er, the stenosis from your valve repair." He saw the look on my face when he said that and rephrased his words.
This doc said that cutting back on calcium probably wouldn't do too much, but hey, I will do whatever.
And yes, the biggest thing is to not stress - I know that - I need to enjoy life - each day, each moment! And to laugh more!
But, as Scarlett O'Hara said, "Oh fiddledeedee, I'll think about that tomorrow." There's the answer to all my questions and fears - to just not think about them!
Thank you all for your well wishes and concern. It means a lot to know that there are people who emphathize and care.
Christina L
