New Here - Had Ultrasound on Heart

[John - WS]

Hello, all
I'm new here but it already seems like a wonderful place to me. I'm a 33 year old male, 6'1", 178 lbs. Last Monday I had a package of tests performed on me by HealthFair USA. I've known about my high triglycerides (up to 900 at times) for about 6 years (treated with tricor and fish oil) and was curious if I had any other problems.
I should get my test results back in another two weeks but the lady who performed the heart ultrasound said I had what looked like a "moderate leaky valve" in my aorta. She said their cardiologist would look everything over but would ultimately suggest I see a local cardiologist for follow up and possible treatment, etc...
I have palpitations from time to time, not very often. I also have definitely noticed I can't hold my own in excercise anymore. I've noticed that for about 3 years but thought I was just out of shape (may be part of the reason). After reading up on the subject for a week, it all kind of makes sense and would explain a lot.
My family doctor said I should wait for the results then we could discuss and possibly send me to a cardiologist. Should I be making this appt now? Of course now I'm freaked out and wondering if this extra 2-3 weeks of waiting could be harmful. Especially if it takes me another 2-3 weeks for an appt. What would be the good thing to do here?
Thanks for your insight.
John

 

[Der Biermeister]

Hello, all
I'm new here but it already seems like a wonderful place to me. I'm a 33 year old male, 6'1", 178 lbs. Last Monday I had a package of tests performed on me by HealthFair USA. I've known about my high triglycerides (up to 900 at times) for about 6 years (treated with tricor and fish oil) and was curious if I had any other problems.
I should get my test results back in another two weeks but the lady who performed the heart ultrasound said I had what looked like a "moderate leaky valve" in my aorta. She said their cardiologist would look everything over but would ultimately suggest I see a local cardiologist for follow up and possible treatment, etc...
I have palpitations from time to time, not very often. I also have definitely noticed I can't hold my own in excercise anymore. I've noticed that for about 3 years but thought I was just out of shape (may be part of the reason). After reading up on the subject for a week, it all kind of makes sense and would explain a lot.
My family doctor said I should wait for the results then we could discuss and possibly send me to a cardiologist. Should I be making this appt now? Of course now I'm freaked out and wondering if this extra 2-3 weeks of waiting could be harmful. Especially if it takes me another 2-3 weeks for an appt. What would be the good thing to do here?
Thanks for your insight.
John

John -- you and I are kind of in the same boat -- moderate AI. My symptoms are much worse than yours, but I am now questioning their origin. Mind over matter and I may be falling victim once again to some anxiety attacks. I see no progress in the last week since coming home from the hospital. Others have cautioned me to keep searching as they may not have discovered all my problems. Although I've had chest xrays, CT scans, echocardiograms, heart catheterization, special artery blood tests, etc. I wonder if there could be something (a tumor?) down in the stomach and/or diaphram area. My next visit (this coming Wed) can't get here quick enough for me.
DB

 

[geebee]

John,

Welcome to VR.com

I see no reason to wait for your GP's OK to see a cardio. Since you seem to be symptomatic and the test indicated a potential problem, I would schedule an appointment and find out for sure.

Good luck and let us know how we can help.

 

[rossmom]

Hello, all
I'm new here but it already seems like a wonderful place to me. I'm a 33 year old male, 6'1", 178 lbs. Last Monday I had a package of tests performed on me by HealthFair USA. I've known about my high triglycerides (up to 900 at times) for about 6 years (treated with tricor and fish oil) and was curious if I had any other problems.
I should get my test results back in another two weeks but the lady who performed the heart ultrasound said I had what looked like a "moderate leaky valve" in my aorta. She said their cardiologist would look everything over but would ultimately suggest I see a local cardiologist for follow up and possible treatment, etc...
I have palpitations from time to time, not very often. I also have definitely noticed I can't hold my own in excercise anymore. I've noticed that for about 3 years but thought I was just out of shape (may be part of the reason). After reading up on the subject for a week, it all kind of makes sense and would explain a lot.
My family doctor said I should wait for the results then we could discuss and possibly send me to a cardiologist. Should I be making this appt now? Of course now I'm freaked out and wondering if this extra 2-3 weeks of waiting could be harmful. Especially if it takes me another 2-3 weeks for an appt. What would be the good thing to do here?
Thanks for your insight.
John

Hi john,
New to this sight too, but not new to palpitations. I have mvp followed by panic disorder. I remember feeling the same way the first time i had problems.
I felt like it was an emergency, so why did i have to wait so long. I feel that if it was something that needed att: they would have sent you to the hospital. Im sure after the test come back its a matter of what medication to take, or whats the best corse to take. Not knowing is hard. and the wait seems a lifetime. Hang in there. The news may not be as bad as you think.
i have had this mvp sence i was 22yrs of age. now im 49. I take ( beta blocker) tenorman It helps with the palpitations. Stress can bring it on too, so try to relax. meditate. Good luck.

 

[Marguerite53]

Welcome!

Welcome!

Hi John. I think you should call your GP back and be referred to a cardiologist and be seen. Why wait? You have enough information, without the specific lab results, to get yourself an appointment. Perhaps the returning results and the appointment will coincide. I would think that a murmur would be present, just through the stethescope. That alone should be cause for a visit to a cardio.

That said, it is not likely that you are in any imminent danger. Making the appointment will cause you less anxiety than waiting and get you some answers faster, that's all. Many of us have lived with a murmur (leaky valve) for years and years. But. better to be safe than sorry!

Please be sure to get photocopies of your report and all subsequent echoes, etc.. Many of us have gone through the years without asking for them (not realizing we could or should!) and wish we had them to compare numbers, etc. In the event that you are on "watching for changes" mode for a really long time, those reports can be useful as you question your progress.

Good luck and keep us posted. Again. Don't be rushed or worried, but certainly advocate for what you instinctively feel is best. You are the client, you are in charge! Remember that!

Marguerite

 

[John - WS]

Thanks for the replies, everyone. I will more than likely make an appt tomorrow morning and take it from there.
I can understand what people say about anxiety. I look back before I had the test on Monday and I seemed fine for the most part with no shortness of breath. Now I get it often! The mind is a tricky thing.

 

[tobagotwo]

John,

Figuring out which symptoms are "live" and which are Memorex is one of the hardest parts of figuring out what your real cardiac status is. It's not easy to outsmart your own mind...

Best wishes,

 

[Karlynn]

Welcome John,
I would also suggest that you go ahead and consult a cardiologist. If you insurance requires your GP to refer you, then call and request that he do so. Some GP's feel that they can handle such issues (and maybe some can), but it's best just to go to a reputabler cardiologist.

 

[John - WS]

I finally received my HealthFair USA results, 4 weeks after my screening.
The results are mild-moderate regurgitation of the aortic vavle and mild regurgitation of the tricuspid. Comments were "Possible VSD, Abnormal flow between aortic root and septum. Mitral valve thickening. Possible double aortic valve orifice." "Further Evaluation Based on Echo Screening Results."

I visited my cardiologist about two weeks ago because I simply couldn't wait the long amount of time for HealthFair. The cardiologist ordered another echo that I had done the same day. This was an in depth, comprehensive exam that took approx 20-25 minutes (compared to the 3-5 minute HealthFair test). Initial results were "pretty good overall" and "no need to worry". I'll be receiving a letter with the info soon. The doc couldn't hear a murmur or anything strange with the stethescope.

So, one place makes me feel like I'm going to drop dead soon, and the other acts like it's no big deal and I'll be fine. I'll wait and see the final results of the cardiologist and document here to help future web surfers.
Thanks all!

 

[tobagotwo]

The two results are not necessarily incompatible. What sounds terrible on paper may not be so difficult for your heart to live with in real life.

Obviously, if you're going to cast doubt, the Health Fair results are what it's most reasonable to question. A five-minute echo screening is exactly that: a screening, and isn't fit for an accurate diagnosis. And I don't think they pretend for it to be one. By the way, most of my echoes run almost an hour.

However, remember that it served its purpose, and got you into a cardiologist, which is plainly a good thing overall. If they didn't accidentally switch results with someone else, valvular regurgitation (AKA insufficiency, leakage) is something a cardiologist should be aware of. You would not want to run across this issue ten or twenty years from now, all unknowing, with someone jamming the notion of surgery down your throat. More than a few people on this forum have had that happen, and it is not a pleasant awakening.

Sounds like your heart is doing well, and you are years away from needing surgery, if you will ever need it at all. That's not a bad place to be.

Let us know how this echo turns out. We're all hoping for good results for you.

Best wishes,

 

[Nancy]

Echoe results vary considerably, mostly due to the competence of the tech doing them.

There is a huge difference between a 3-5 minute cursory echo and a 25 minute professional echo.

Stick with the more professional echo from now on and possibly the same tech. That way there will be some continuity. And stay with your cardiologist, if you like him.

I'm glad it turned out better than you originally thought.