Valve regurgitation query ?

[Andyb7612]

Hi guys...I have a question for anyone that has more experience and info than I have...and it's,,,, i had an echocardiogram done back in April this year to see if my heart was structalry ok before being put onto flecanide and was told the results came back everything OK...but since being at my GPS last week, he read out the electro report and it said mild regurgitation of the mitral and trescupid valves but satisfactory...I phoned my EP and his understudy said its quite normal and that the echo machines they do the scans on are that powerful and sensitive they pick every little detail up which the operator has to report .. he followed that up with if he put virtually anyone over the age of 50 on it , it would show up some small degree of regurgitation on one or more valves , as they almost always let a backdrop of a small amount of blood back through the valve flaps before they close properly, and this is quite normal and nothing to worry about ...does this sound right to you guys or is he just saying this so i don't worry about it ??

[bantam12]

What he says is right, most people will have some degree of leak and it’s considered normal, if it does over the years become worse and a problem then the leak can be repaired but honestly if yours is mild forget about it.

[Andyb7612 in reply to bantam12]

Thanks for the reply bantam , I just couldn't understand if how a heart is deemed as structurally fine then how can it be if it has leaky valves ...

[jeanjeannie50]

I was told I had a leaky mitral valve many years ago, but it was of no concern.

[Andyb7612 in reply to jeanjeannie50]

Thanks Jean, I just was a little concerned also as with having taking flec for the afib if the valve leaks would add to the problem and reduce the chances of my abalation for next year being a success..

[BobD Volunteer]

Stop worrying. The man does not speak with forked tongue! Also remember that echocardiograms are done by technicians not doctors and interpreting the results is quite subjective and dependent on the views of the operative. Get on with the rest of your life and enjoy.

[Andyb7612 in reply to BobD]

Cheers Bob I wish I could just stop worrying as much,, I'm better than I was but still a lot of room for improvement..as I was told by someone on here a while ago..knowledge is power,,, learn and Try and understand as much as you can ..thanks again...

[BobD Volunteer in reply to Andyb7612]

Takes time Andy. Every day a little further as they say.

[Andyb7612 in reply to BobD]

You're 100% right there Bob...

[Buffafly]

Exactly what my cardiologist told me.

[Andyb7612 in reply to Buffafly]

Thanks for the reply...

[CDreamer]

Just to echo all the people who answered you and to add that my husband developed mitral valve regurgitation as a child - in the 1930’s - after recovering from Diptheria which was known to cause valve heart damage. In those days it used to be called a ‘Murmur’ because you could hear the ‘woosh’ regurgitation sound through a stethoscope.

Now during his lifetime he has raced and sailed over 30,000 miles across open oceans, in small yachts, run marathons, travelled and worked the world in some very dodgy places without health care and done a bit of deep sea diving (probably wouldn’t be allowed to these days) it has in all that time never resulted in a problem and he has not required treatment. Lots of other things have started to fail, but his heart still going if not as strong or effectively as it used, but adequately enough to get around and enjoy a reasonable quality of life for someone approaching their 9th decade.

I know it’s hard to not worry but knowledge really does help and it’s unfortunate that when people tell you to not worry, without explaining - you worry. I remember a teacher ringing me about my son and the first thing she said was - ‘now don’t worry’. What was the first thing I did? Question why anyone would open with ‘don’t worry’ - unless there was something to worry about? Turned out he had been knocked off his bike but apart from a few grazes and bruises, was fine.

All this means is your valve is a leaking a bit, but not enough to cause you any problems.

[Andyb7612 in reply to CDreamer]

Hey thanks for the reply cdreamer , it sounds like your husband has led a very active life and your right that's is the case very often when a doctor or someone starts the sentence with ,,, now don't worry ...

[Tryfan]

Same here. Out of the blue I received a notification to attend an echocardiogram. When I asked why. Was told you have leaky valves. Evidently 4 years ago I had a test following an earlier repeat Afib bout. Delay in calling me was down to Covid. Been told they will re test me in 3 years. Unable to find out how leaky is leaky is. The lady who did the test wouldn't say. The Consultant wrote to my GP. Hearing nothing, I wrote to GP, only way I have found to obtain any response. Nothing to unduly concern yourself was the reply. Thank you for the comments that have also helped me understand the condition .

[Andyb7612 in reply to Tryfan]

Thanks for the reply, yes it appears to be a very common finding on anyone who has an echocardiogram by the sounds of it...

[Megams in reply to Andyb7612]

~I echo what the others here have said. I also hear you loud & clear as hearts are "emotive" things.When explained here it does help soften the concern a little.

Over & above this, its a great comfort to know you are not alone.

I too have developed leaky valves + mildly dilated ascending aorta - never had the latter prior to this year.

When I asked Cardiologist causation his reply was my hypertension -whilst I was somewhat sadden to learn all this, it was tempered with the knowledge that we can monitor b/p more often & increase meds.

Hope this helps in some small way~

[Andyb7612 in reply to Megams]

Thanks for the reply megams

[Tellingfibs]

I have ‘mild to moderate’ aortic and mitral valve regurgitation. My cardiologist waves this away as unimportant for me. My GP reiterated this as he explained that as a 70 year old, he would be surprised if I didn’t have some regurgitation. Those of us who are a little older have to remember that apart from our Afib, we must expect signs of ageing alongside our Afib !

[Ducky2003]

I was told that most people have some form of MVR, I suppose as our bodies aren't perfect.Mine is now severe so I'm having to have repair surgery but if they were unduly concerned about yours, they wouldn't just placate you, they would do something about it.

Best wishes

Ang

[Andyb7612 in reply to Ducky2003]

Thanks ang

[Ducky2003 in reply to Andyb7612]

I'm sure they will keep an eye on you as mine was caused by the AF. Push it to the back of your mind and as Uncle Bob says, enjoy life.😊.

[Megams in reply to Ducky2003]

~Good luck & special thoughts the day you have your repair Ducky - may it go smoothly ~

[Ducky2003 in reply to Megams]

Thank you 😊.

[BlueINR]

I've had mitral valve regurgitation for over 60 years. It's checked regularly via echocardiogram and is always seen to be no problem. That doesn't mean it might not need repair or replacement in the future, but for all these years, it's been fine. Your heart can indeed be structurally fine with a leaky valve. That's totally normal.

[Andyb7612 in reply to BlueINR]

Thanks for the reply ...

[Dee5165]

I was told the same thing and nothing to worry about. Then I checked with others and majority of friends and relatives had the same mild regurgitation of the mitral and tricuspid valves!

[Andyb7612 in reply to Dee5165]

Thanks dee

[Jtlssa]

3 yrs ago was told same thing mild regurgitation no worries. Last year Regurgitation is now high moderate and having another echo next week. Keeping my fingers crossed. I would say to keep an eye on it

[Andyb7612 in reply to Jtlssa]

Thanks for the reply

[ozziebob]

Andy,I found this Dr Gupta (York Cardiology) explanation of echocardiogram results very helpful ...

youtu.be/WynLdKOJgBM(Not working as expected?)

He also has further videos talking about "leaky valves".

Highly recommended by me.

bob