AF and leaking heart valves.

[linc2u]

I have just received the results of my echocardiogram which show that I have a leaking Tricuspid valve ( mild - moderate) and mild leakage in the mitral and aortic valves.I have had AF for many years now and I just wondered how one problem might affect the other?

I have noticed that breathing is a little more difficult….. but I gather from my GP that these things are tone expected at 77 and hasn’t offered any guidance.

Am I in greater danger of stroke/ heart attack because I have both AF and valve issues ?

Any help or advice would be greatly appreciated. X

[BobD Volunteer]

Some leakage and regurgitation comes with age I'm afraid but neither are particularly bad.

AF can be the result of serious valve problems allowing excess pressure back into the left atrium which stretches the chamber. This is known as valvular AF, but AF does not generally cause valve problems

[CoconutBob in reply to BobD]

I am 83 and have had afib since 2007. My echo always shows some leakage but my doctor says it's due to blood thinner and afib. I never worry about it and he wasn't concerned.

My sister is 98 and has had afib much longer than I have and she had a valve replacement about a year ago and seems to be doing fine. She also is being treated for heart failure which claimed my mother at 96 in 2000. But I am assuming treatment is better these days.

[Autumn_Leaves]

Mitral valve regurgitation and left atrial enlargement is a known cause of AF, certainly a contributing factor. It was detected on my echocardiogram several years before I developed AF. I had that scan because I was having an increasing number of ectopics.

A certain degree of valve regurgitation is seen on most echocardiograms in people from middle age onwards. It’s a very common finding and not usually a cause for concern. It’s only treated once the regurgitation is severe, and that doesn’t apply to you. I don’t think you have much to be concerned about regarding additional risk, but if in doubt you can ask your cardiologist or GP, or talk it over with one of the nurses on the BHF helpline.

[10gingercats]

I have had a severe leak in my tricuspid valve for about 10 years.I am now in my 80's.My cardio. is of the opinion it does not affect to any degree my overall heart condition....enlarge heart and so said heart failure. Not sure about the latter as I do not have breathlessness and I am pretty active ,walking and gadding about.If aortic valves leak badly, as with mitral valve I think they can be fixed...valve replace...but tricuspid valves are only replaced,esp. in older people , when they have you open for anothe heart op. I have been down this road with a view to having mine replaced. ......and the docs. seem disinclined to fix clips on the older patient either...which would also reduc leakage. I am with the oxford John Radcliffe hospital

[pusillanimous]

I have a small leak, the cardiologist said don't even worry about it, it's so common at my age (80) and is harmless

[Ppiman]

From reading around this, I would trust your GP on this and I think you have no reason to worry. It seems around 10-15% of people in their mid 70s onwards might have some form of age-related valve disease, increasing in the over 80s.

Again from reading, it's no surprise that people who are frail and have complicating conditions ("co-morbidities") such as other heart disease, diabetes, hypertension. atherosclerosis (i.e. plaque and calcification / hardening of the arteries), or chronic kidney disease, have a less good longer-term outlook.

I think having AF is considered a risk factor for valve replacement but the cause of the arrhythmia itself might be the valve issues, as well as vice versa - or at least these things are never clear. From what I can see, AF, if anticoagulation is in place, shouldn't be an extra worry. My elderly friend is 90 soon and is well enough for his age and has had permanent AF for many years and has leaky valves.

Of course, it's no good saying "don't worry" as we all do, some more than others (I am a born worrier, sadly). Also, we are all rather different in terms of what is causing our heart issues, and the cause will often remain unknown; it's likely also to be a long term progressive thing related to lifestyle and age.

Steve

[linc2u]

Thankyou to all you lovely people for support… it’s invaluable to be able to voice concerns on this website !!

[2learn]

Hi, I'm 75 and had leaking mitral valve which got worse over years so in Dec 21 had heart surgery to fix it. Seems to have worked. Mine showed up on heart scan, have you had one of these. If its only now being discovered it may not be too bad and you'll not need any radical fix. After mine was noticed inmy 50's I was given heart scan every 12months or so to keep an eye on it, your medics might arrange same for you.

[linc2u in reply to 2learn]

Thanks a lot.

Yes I had an echo and the valves have only this time been mentioned, so maybe they’re not too bad. Noticed my breathing worsening and very often that light- headedness too , so fingers crossed that when I see a Cardiologist , I might be enlightened!!

Best wishes!