Poll on causes of member's valve problems

[bvdr]

I have always been curious as to the causes of our valve problems so I thought I would try doing a poll. I've not tried this before so please forgive me if I mess it up.

Please post what is presumed the origin of your valve disease.

Thanks,

Betty

 

[Barry]

Congenital abnormality (progressive & ultimately severe mitral valve prolapse)

My dad had it too. This was before they had the valve technology they have now - it killed him through congestive heart failure.

 

[tobagotwo]

This was a great idea, Betty.

A major cause of AS is (poorly) named "senile aortic calcification," which just means it's due apparently to age and abuse. This should be added as a choice.

Also, you might want to mention bicuspid valves specifically, athough it does technically belong in the congenital column. I would have to guess that some of the "other" votes were BAVs.

You'll likely get a few hits from "radiation treatments for other illnesses," as well.

Mine was most likely resultant from an undiagnosable viral infection I had a quarter of a century ago.

Best wishes,

 

[bvdr]

Bob, I only had ten options. I might not have chosen the best ones as I agree "bi-cuspid" should be one and possibly the radiation treatment too as I even think that contributed not only to my CAD but my valve problems as well. I don't know how to change it though....Ross, are you out there?

 

[Mary]

I have a bicuspid but voted in the congenital column.

 

[ericaj]

ericaj

ericaj

Voted in the other column. For a long, long time we always thought my valve problems where congenital but I now know my valve problems are as a result of the Mucopolysaccharide Disease I have. Caused by progrssive buildup of GAG's (aka a type of sugar molecule) that my body is unable to breakdown and rid of. Similar to building a new addition over an old addition...

Erica

 

[Wise]

Isn't bicuspid aortic valve congenital? I've been believing it was. Set me straight! Thanks

 

[geebee]

The original problem was rheumatic fever but the need for surgery was accelerated by endocarditis.

I voted rheumatic fever tho since I couldn't vote 2x.

 

[tommy]

Undected bicuspid aortic valve (until endocarditis).

 

[McCln]

Yeah, congential heart defect, aortic valve, heart murmur. Was born with it and it is on my mother's side. I do not know my father's side at all. Hope to learn in the future. But, a lot of people on my mother's side has heart disease, usually disagnosed at birth. Never hurts to find out causes of many diseases and health problems today. So much to learn. Have fun with the poll.

 

[tobagotwo]

Yes, Wise. It is congenital, as are our two four-leaf clovers. I thought, perhaps wrongly, that some would not realize it. I'll shut up now, as I am apparently muddying the waters instead of clearing them...

Apologies,

 

[Marguerite53]

Lotsa polls these days! Fun..

Lotsa polls these days! Fun..

Hi. I voted congenital as that is the assumption. BAV. I am suspicious of a sudden very high fever which I had as an infant. My mother has recounted the story to me many times. There was never a diagnosis as we lived in Africa at the time, 1950's, and it resolved with no apparent consequence. Murmur detected at age 25 ish at routine exam. Moderate AS detected 2003.

Marguerite

 

[Harpoon]

I selected the "OTHER" column because my tricuspid valve failed mainly because it was working too hard because my heart was "replumbed" because I was born with a congenital heart defect....

 

[Ross]

Mine is believed to have been the result of uncontrolled high blood pressure.

 

[Phyllis]

I checked unknown in the poll, but I truly believe that Dick's stenosis of the aortic valve might have come from the many cases of strep that he had as a young man until he finally had his tonsils removed at the age of 31. If not, then it is "senile aortic calcification" as noted by Bob.

 

[Harrybaby666]

I still don't know what is causing mine...

I still don't know what is causing mine...

My mother however, told me this past year, that when I was an infant (Many Many Many Moons Ago..LOL) That the doctor who delivered me asked her at one of my first checkups (before my father stopped taking me) if I had a heart murmur, and she said "not that I know of" So I am wondering if this might have started things off....Harrybaby666

 

[Sherry]

Hi, Betty,
My mom tells me either myocarditis or rheumatic fever, leaning toward the latter. All I remember is being at Riley Hospital for Children for a heck of a long time in my early childhood.

 

[fyrfytr]

Hey Betty,
Mine was a congenital valve defect (bicuspid aortic valve) is what I have been told. I think this is a Great Poll.
Take Care

 

[ALCapshaw2]

I didn't vote.

My PRIMARY suspect is Radiation Damage from treatment for 'probable' Hodgkin's Disease.

Reumatic Fever possiblity? Unknown.

'AL Capshaw'

 

[Abbanabba]

Gee - I didn't realise we had quite so many congenitals here! It will be interesting to see how the poll develops over time.

Incidentally, my original surgery notes indicate I had a bicuspid valve (and the fused commissures were divided) - which I'm assuming was my pulmonary valve, since that's the one that is the cause of all my problems. I thought I'd mention it since it seems we only ever hear about the bicuspid aortic valves here.


Great poll Betty!


A : )