Symptoms with moderate mitral regurg?

[debster913]

Hi--
Have any of you who have had moderate mitral regurgitation had these symptoms?
Fatigue
Shortness of breath
Lightheadedness

Just curious, because until my cardio does more tests, he says I have moderate regurg and says I should not be having these symptoms at a moderate level.
Thanks,
Debi (debster913)

 

[sue943]

I have those same symptom right now and as far as I know my leak is mild, or was three months ago when I had an echo. I will see my cardiologist this Saturday.

 

[Wise]

Debbie, I was diagnosed with MVP 21 years ago after an episode of nearly passing out in front of my coworkers and being rushed off to the ER. I've had strange little chest pains since then, a tendency toward fatigue, and some lightheadedness. I've only experienced, as of late, mild SOB. I'm not very athletic, and not the most conditioned fellow either. My symptoms have been attributed to deconditioning, stress, or "something other than heart-related". My cardiologist, who is a good listener, has tested me thoroughly and taken me serious; he doesn't currently see any reason for any of these symptoms. Nevertheless they are there. As some vr members have stated, the actual condition of a valve isn't always accurately measured by "tests". Your symptoms sound pretty pronounced and I really wonder if you're not a more likely candidate than your cardiologist believes. The TEE sounds like a good idea to me.

 

[Barbara Stewart]

Symptoms

Symptoms

Debi,

I didn't realize I had symptoms until I had my last surgery. They had developed so slowly that I didn't notice them, but when they got into my chest my mitral valve fell apart and it had to be replaced. You've heard from so many of us here, to listen to yourself. From my reading of a lot of the posts, it seems that many cardiologists are too conservative in recommending surgery. Mine sure was. How bad does your valve have to get?

Keep us up to date.

Barbara

 

[Karlynn]

Hi--
Have any of you who have had moderate mitral regurgitation had these symptoms?
Fatigue
Shortness of breath
Lightheadedness

Just curious, because until my cardio does more tests, he says I have moderate regurg and says I should not be having these symptoms at a moderate level.
Thanks,
Debi (debster913)

Debi,
Add 'continual arrhythmia' (PVCs, PACs and bigeminy) to that list and you have my symptoms with moderate mitral regurg. The drs always said "This can't be because of the mitral issues." But a lot of testing was done, including an EPS to try and find the source of the arrhythmia and all didn't give up one clue. I had my replacement and VOILA! Still some PACs and PVCs sometimes (usually associated with stress or a cold coming on), a little SOB, but not nearly to the extent I had prior. My last year prior to surgery I was a couch potato due to all my symptoms.

 

[aussiemember]

Mvp

Mvp

Hi Debbi,

I have mitral valve prolapse - moderate to severe regurgitation - and have no symptoms at all except occasional strange chest pains. However, when I was talking to my cardiologist I asked him if other people with my level of regurgitation, with normal heart dimensions, did have symptoms. He said it was unlikely but possible and that the first thing he would do if I had symptoms was to repeat all the tests. He also said that if I start to develop symptoms like SOB he would refer me to a surgeon for an opinion even if my heart dimensions were still within normal ranges.

Anyway, in summary, I am confident that if I went to my cardiologist with the symptoms you have he would definitely be doing lots of testing AND sending me to a surgeon. Keep pushing for answers!!! Jeanne.

 

[jeffp]

I had moderate mital valve regurgitation with no symptoms at all other than some mild hypertension. When the valve suddenly failed, my BP went way down and heart rate went way up (for me). Had some SOB and fatigue but chalked it up to spring allergies. Final step to get me to the doctor was the unending cough (positional in severity) that had me thinking a lung was going to come up. I used the vascular doppler I have in the office and knew it didn't sound good (figured it was valve failure). Wound up in the hospital that afternoon and was going down hill fast.
Sounds like you need to get your symptoms looked into. Don't be a stubborn pig head like me! (Is pig head one word or two?)

 

[alicia]

I started out with moderate mitral valve leakage and was told by the first cardiologist I saw was that I would probably never need surgery and was put on a medication (cant remember the name of it). Well, a few months later I was having shortness of breath with any little bit of exertion. I was also putting on weight very rapidly and my breathing was more "labored". I saw a new cardiologist in town and he has become my guardian angel. I had a mitral valve repair by robotic repair and had an anguloplasty ring. 6 months later I was in CHF and was diagnosed with cardiomyopathy and my EF was only 20%. My mitral valve was leaking severly again! My cardiac surgeon wanted to do an emergency valve replacement but my cardiologist stopped him and refused to allow him to do surgery on me. He said my heart was so weak that I may need a transplant and that a MVR was too dangerous. He said there was a high chance I would'nt make it off the table! He controlled my problems for awhile with meds and I continued to have problems including arrythmeias. 2 years later my symptoms were so bad he sent me to Duke. I had a St Judes mitral valve replacement. I've had a hard time living with and getting Coumadin adjusted. This all started because I took Redux in 1997 for 2 months and boy have I paid the price for it!! I wish you luck and if you do have symptoms, see and tell your Dr ASAP!! The leakage can change anytime. Good luck.

Alicia (Ali/Lisa)