Sigh of Relief......For Six Months

[Jkm7]

I had a heart attack, bypass surgery and am now dealing with a leaky mitral valve. It is significant and described as moderate to severe.

I've had three echos this year and just received word from my cardio that, thankfully, there is no change between my last echo and one I had a week ago. He will order another in six months.

I am so relieved that I have been given 'dispensation' for six more months and hope to hold off a second OHS as long as I can. I feel well and am functioning fine.

Is it realisitc to think it possible my mitral valve, which is leaking due to heart enlargement after my heart attack, can actually stabalize at this level and stay this way long term? Am I kidding myself that a second OHS does not definitely have to be a part of my future? My cardio has already discussed repair with me but is saying the enlargement has not increased since the last echo and, at the moment, right side pressure has not increased.

I guess I'm looking for encouragement that my lifestyle (excellent diet, weight control, meds, exercise etc) can keep this valve stable long term. Am I kidding myself.

Thank you for any advice you can offer.

 

[Magic8Ball]

I hope you are not kidding yourself as i'm holding onto the same hope.

My mitral is also mildly leaky due to heart size and i'm hoping that now that my aortic bav and aorta are sorted it will shrink my heart down and fix the mitral....

Also taking coversyl to assist with this process.

Good luck with the shrinkage...

 

[geebee]

I don't think anyone really knows how fast things deteriorate. You just got a 6 month reprieve so take it 6 months at a time. If you are asymptomatic and your doctor feels things are okay to wait, who knows? It is possible it may be years before you need surgery. You at least know it will not be in the next 6 months.

Congrats on the good echo.

 

[Jkm7]

Thank you. I shall happily take my six month reprieve and be grateful for it.