Well, I have PAF and had a echocardiogram the first time in some years (new cardiologist, etc). So...discovered I have mitral valve leakage (regurgitatuon). It's moderate at this point with a EF of 60%. Hope that some others may have experience with this "combo". What has your journey been? Managing it with meds? Mitral valve repair, etc.. ? Regarding blood thinners. It seems like Apixaban is ok if no valve stenosis or mechanical valve (based on revised guidance I read...don't need to mess with warfarin). Any experiences would be very much appreciated. Also, what about supplements that can help manage it... I've read about CoQ10, Omega3 (fish oil). A lot of words... sorry... but just got the results (electronic version) and haven't had a follow up appointment with the doctor... So... my face has been stuck in Google for hours (which is both helpful...and hell) Thanks for letting me rattle on.... Any insights would be much appreciated.
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ktf2022
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My husband has had mild to moderate mitral valve regurgitation or what used to be called a ‘heart murmour’ since catching Diphtheria in childhood in the 1930’s. It’s never been ‘treated’.
He’s been incredibly fit, run marathons, sailed and raced across oceans and has never affected his performance. It could have been a factor in developing AF about 10 years ago but before that, he took no meds. It’s only in recent years it’s been regularly monitored.
EF fraction of 60% is good, my husband did go down to 34% but that was because of aortic valve stenosis, AF was treated with meds and EF fraction improved to ‘normal’ 55%. Normal range is 50-75%.
I think the treatment for the mitral valve will focus more on monitoring as treatment is usually surgery but managing your AF and BP will be most important, hence a recommendation for anticoagulation. Apixaban is the best of the bunch of the DOACs in my opinion and I’ve been taking it for the last 7 years and had no problems with it.
CoQ10 is an essential supplement in my opinion and I’ve not met a cardiologist yet who has an issue with it. I was recommended to take by my first EP. You may find this site useful for nurtritional support for heart, especially AF heartmdinstitute.com/diet-n...
You don’t have to buy their supplements as all are freely available from many sources. Just check that any supplement you buy is manufactured to pharmaceutical standards, many cheaper versions room high street multiples are not, and look at the label to check the amount of ‘active ingredient’ because marketing will sometimes advertise a 100g tablet but when you check the label the tablet only contains 20g of active ingredient. It’s best to take Nutritional advice from a dual trained doctor/Lifestyle/Nutritionist such as Dr Sinatra or Dr Rupy (Doctor’s Kitchen) who has AF himself. thedoctorskitchen.com/recipes/
A predominantly plant based diet is recommended for AF.
My cardio told me that most people will have some degree of valve leakage but just won’t know about it.I’ve got moderate leak but they aren’t bothered and I’m not even under Cardio clinic now.
Hi there. I have PAF with leaky valves ( Mitral and Aorta ) with EF of 60% , like you. As others here have stated, most older people have some valve leakage - it might even be why AF is more likely the older we get. My first cardiologist suggested it may have contributed to my AF but that often, no cause can be found. My present cardiologist is not concerned as he says my heart is pumping efficiently. I did question him about taking the ‘newer’ anticoagulants ( I take Warfarin ) and he said “ Well, I’ll put it this way - if you were my mother I would prefer you to take Warfarin”. That was good enough for me. Mind you, as is frequently mentioned in this group, we are all different, and it seems there isn’t a ‘ one size fits all ‘ treatment for our condition, which plays fast and loose with us and debilitates some of us and turns us into cowering, terrified creatures yet allows others to climb mountains ! I have found it is a good thing to have a written list of questions to put to any medical personnel you have an appointment with so that you don’t come away thinking “ damn, I didn’t bring up my concern about….”, leaving you worrying until your next appointment. Good luck, and try not to Google too much as you will find both very depressing facts about our condition, and uplifting and comforting facts - but you will find you only absorb all the negatives !
Sounds similar to my situation. I had mitral valve leakage for years starting in my mid 50s (I'm 64 now). The doctor decided to just monitor it with yearly echo. My left ventricle and left atrium was also enlarging, as the heart was having to work harder. These enlargements along with leaky valve can cause afib. I end up seeking a 2nd opinion as I felt the doctor I had been seeing for six years was dragging his feet. In August of 2021 I had both mitral and aortic valve repaired, and while they were inside my chest they did a maze procedure. Two weeks later I had an ultrasound and my ventricle and atrium were back to normal size. I take very low dose of metoprolol, linsinopril, for blood pressure and xrealto as precaution for blood clot. I have a appointment this summer to see about getting rid of the xrealto and lisinopril. Hope this gives you a little insight, and I wish you well!
I will get back to you. I meet tomorrow with my EP to go over my echo. I already know I have mild regurgitation with the mitral valve. No one has ever told me that it is a problem, but that was before I had AFib, before blood thinners, and before pursuing surgery for ablation and Watchman device. So I will see what the EP thinks now.
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