In the scheme of things.....

[Dadog]

what part does a leaky valve play? My initial checks a year and a half ago, discovered a leaky valve and the cardiologist said that this could need attention in maybe 2 or 3 years time. He suggested that it hasn't caused my AF but would remain a contributory factor (whatever that means). I will be asking for a prognosis when I next visit cardiology for a check up, in April. Has anyone here got anything similar?

[jeanjeannie50]

Sorry Dadog, no I haven't had any experience with leaky valves. I know we're told not to do it but have you looked for the answer to your question by searching on the internet? Oh the joys of growing older!!!!

[Dadog]

Hmmm....just done that, jeanjeannie. All very complicated. We have four valves and all sorts of unpleasant things can happen to them! Sometimes, when I read these things, I wonder how I'm still around! I shall keep my glass half full and enjoy the more pleasant aspects of growing older!!!

[Christo4 in reply to Dadog]

Dadog 1.

Well said.

Christo

[jeanjeannie50 in reply to Dadog]

I know exactly what you mean and that's a brilliant attitude to have!!! My sister has a problem with the mitral valve in her heart (think that's what it's called). She has never been offered surgery for this and just accepts it. She lives in Texas and has good health insurance so I'm sure if it was a problem she would have had some sort of surgery. Hope your glass is now three quarters full.

Jean

[keeponticking]

Hi how are you! had a mitral valve repair a year ago! my valve didnt open or shut properly due to damage caused by viral pneumonia when I was 6 mths old. am now 36.was in and out of hospital as a child and my parents told i wouldnt live very long. it calmed down as a teenager and never really bothered me til I got pregnant 10 years ago and the pregnancy put terrible strain on my heart. the pumping action action wasnt strong enough for the extra blood so ended up in severe congestive heart failure with severe mitral regurge and pulmonary regurge. basically

the blood was going backwards! in dec 12 was diagnosed with persistant AF. cardiologist recommended to get the valve fixed as one condition wasnt helping the other! had the surgery on valentines day 13. they repaired the valve rather than replace it due to my age. they sew a little ring around the damaged valve and wow do I have blood pressure now!! the surgeon also did a Maze Procedure on the table which is an internal heavy duty ablation for my AF. my heart has become very enlarged and damaged due to the pressure it was under so EP reckons thats why the AF. anyway very long story short, had another ablation last nov and was back in AF before i left the hospital. so decided to do a Britney Spears and said hit me baby one more time!had another ablation 3 weeks ago and im a new woman! no palps, no breathlessness etc and have lost 8kg in weight due to offloading of fluid - like a racehorse! the surgery was hard going - i wont lie to you - and you must have patience and do what you are told!!!!

but talk to the cardiologist and stay off google!! Go n'eiri an bothar leat!! (good luck!)

[Hidden in reply to keeponticking]

What a story . You have been through so much and only 36 ! Hope you continue to stay in your much improved health . very best wishes. Sandra

[Dadog in reply to keeponticking]

Woderful! A story with a happy ending! You deserve it so just stay well. I had my first experience of AF when I lived and worked in Galway. Someone here was asking about health care in Ireland so it looks like they have their answer!

[keeponticking in reply to Dadog]

the public health system is absolutely crap in Ireland! paying thru, the shall we say, nose,( to be polite), for private health insurance. You would be dead here if you didnt have it. The docs and nurses are highly trained and skilled, and do their best - they just dont have the resources.

[GabrielleFaye]

Hi Dadog, I also have a leaky valve, I was born with a bicuspid aortic valve but didn't know anything about it until about 10 years ago when I had my first bout of AF, at age 39. Nothing much happened until about 7 years later when I had another bout of AF, and I've had another 3 since. I have been getting more and more ectopics over the last 12 - 18 months as well, and I don't really have any other symptoms except I can't seem to get past a level of exercise intolerance, no matter how I try; as soon as I start exercising and my heart rate starts to go up it just goes all over the place and I get out of breath very quickly. I think this is due to the leaky valve. My last echo was just over a year ago and they said I have a mild leak, and a mildly dilated ascending aorta (this is something that bicuspids are apparently more susceptible to). Anyway I do think that it is a contributory factor in my AF. There is a forum for valve patients - valvereplacement.org - and a few people there have mentioned AF as well.

Have you had AF for very long, and is it persistent or paroxysmal? Do you know which of your valve's has the leak?

All the best, Gaye

[Dadog]

Hi Gaye,

Thanks for all that info - it's a help to hear about these things. I have just checked all my letters and find that I have "moderate to severe mitral regurgitation with a dilated left atrium at 4.8cm." Letter also states I am to have a repeat echocardiogram to m,monitor the valve. Appointment has been made for this March, which is a year; but only an ECG has been requested. I think they may have forgotten my valve! Oh dear!

I had my first AF when I was 35 and the next one about 6 years later. Since then, two more attacks including this last one which stayed with me for a year until cardioversion sorted me out. Very similar histories, haven't we?!

Regards, David.

[cbsrbpm]

Hi Dadog, I was told by someone somewhere along the way that I had a leaky valve and it was quite common and nothing to worry about. Have not seen a cardiologist for about 8 years. I get told very little on my occasional visits to A & E and after my last episode was discharged whilst still in AF having been told that it will eventually stop. Thankfully it did after about 17 hours. I was told to see my GP and request a referral to a cardiologist, am still waiting after 4 months!

Brenda

[Dadog in reply to cbsrbpm]

That doesn't seem right to me, cbsrbpm. I am never too confident when I hear phrases like "it's common and nothing to worry about" and "your AF will eventually stop." I need more information from the experts. It's normal for A&E to get you to see a cardiologist, through your GP (unless they keep you in as happened with me; and then you'll get one straightaway). I suspect your GP needs a prod, in order to find out what's happening.

David

[cbsrbpm in reply to Dadog]

Yes Dadog, my GP definitely needs a prod not the first time I have been ignored. The trouble is when you are feeling OK it never seems so urgent, until the next time! Living in an area where the GP's are sinking under the weight of patients doesn't help. All the best to you.

regards

Brenda

[stanreader]

Stan

Dadog, had a aotic valve replacement in 2004 and a mitral valve repair in 2013 the mitral valve was done by keyhole surgery.

[Dadog in reply to stanreader]

Thanks, stanreader. Useful to know that. In my scary web search, I did read that these ops are not always open heart these days. Far less traumatic I would think? By the way, I checked my letters file and I am, in fact, due for an echocardiogram before my check up. I got confused with my ECGs and ECGs!!

[stanreader in reply to Dadog]

Dadog1 I was in hospital for 8 day when I had my keyhole, opp on friday up out of bed on sunday drains out on monday home the following friday, need more info give me a call.

[Dadog in reply to stanreader]

Thanks stanreader - that seems pretty good going to me. Hopefully I may not need anything done but that is in the hands of a specialist who knows more than I do! I'll stay in touch as things progress.

[PhyllisK]

Hi Dadog1

I had an Electrocardiograph in 2008 and was diagnosed with PAF and two leaky heart valves. Like cbsrbpm I was advised that it is quite common and nothing to worry about.

To a certain extent I do trust my GP and my valves have never been mentioned in any subsequent visits to the cardiologist.

In my case I am inclined to put these down to old age and leave well alone.

I wish you well.

Phyl.

[Dadog in reply to PhyllisK]

Thanks Phyl, that's good to hear. If they want to monitor the valve I guess that's OK to keep an eye on it. As you say; and like an old car, it's sometimes better to leave things alone!

David