Mitral regurgitation

[Worriedmolly]

So I had a a echo and was told my heart was structurally normal with good LV output and told to go home and not worry about anything. I was admitted to hospital as I had a afib attack which I've never had before it only lasted 1 hour . Doc says it was because I was unwell with covid... Anyway I look at my discharge notice and it says moderate mitral regurgitation but no one even mentioned it. I called the cardiologist secretary and she says she says he states my echo is normal. I'm scared as I don't know what's going on . Why has no one told me . I'm worried I'm going to have a cardiac arrest. My anxiety is bad. I cant stop crying. Why is no one concerned about this.

[Hidden]

I think that is just a posh way of saying that you were a bit sick. An upset stomach can be caused by worry, Molly. You sound to have been given a clean bill of health to me. 😊

[Worriedmolly in reply to Hidden]

Hi thank you for your reply, what do you mean a bit sick ? Mitral regurgitation means something to do with the heart valves ?

[Hidden in reply to Worriedmolly]

Read your post again. You said 'moderate regurgitation'.

[Ktylerconk in reply to Hidden]

Regurgitation is a term used for problem heart valves.

[Carnival567 in reply to Worriedmolly]

Try not to worry, although I know you will. They say you have these things but often they do not cause problems. I have a bicuspid aortic valve and tricuspid valve regurgitation. They obviously don’t think it is a problem at present but they will keep an eye on you I expect. Have they given you any other diagnosis. I was born with heart disease and am now 78. The trouble is with these consultants is they tell you what you’ve got but not what it means. A chat with your GP would probably help. Wishing you all the best xx

[Worriedmolly in reply to Carnival567]

Thank you . They never gave me any diagnosis they just said my heart is structurally normal with good lv output and just to take bisoprolol to help anxiety and any palpitations. They say the AF was caused by covid and basically just go and live my life and hopefully it dosent happen again. Its so scary especially when they don't explain anything. And they know I have terrible anxiety.

[Carnival567 in reply to Worriedmolly]

I’m glad your heart is structurally normal so I hope it goes back to normal working soon.. All the best x

[Med75]

Morning, so good to read & hear your heart scan was fine & your hearts strong plus you were given the all clear.

I have been diagnosed with atrial fibrillation after having just one episode of a very high heart rate of 160 beats per min which lasted 3 or 4 days (3years ago,) I ended up in hospital thankfully for only 12 hrs as they managed to get it down to a more normal rate I’ve had no episodes since thankfully but it will stay on my health records as AF.

Regurgitation is likely to do with your tummy & being sick, hospitals use strange lingo that they understand but can sound worrying to us when it’s another way of saying sick.

Its very frightening being unwell & feeling vulnerable not knowing what’s happening to your body, believe me if the hospital had thought there was anything more to investigate you wouldn’t have been discharged home to continue your recovery in more relaxing calm environment.

I’m sorry you feel vulnerable but please keep posting on this site as speaking to others who been through many illnesses & understand your concerns will help…I find if I put my favourite music on & try relaxing it help.

Sending best wishes to you for more relaxing times ahead.

[Worriedmolly in reply to Med75]

Hi thank you for your reply. Mitral regurgitation is something to do with the heart valve that's why I'm so anxious but no one even told me about it . Its so confusing.

[Hidden in reply to Worriedmolly]

There's a big difference between moderate regurgitation and Mitral regurgitation and you seem uncertain as to what the discharge notice says.

[Worriedmolly in reply to Hidden]

It says moderate mitral regurgitation. I said that on my post.

[Hidden in reply to Worriedmolly]

Sorry, I should have gone to Specsavers. 🤭

[Hidden in reply to Worriedmolly]

Lots of us have a little mitral valve regurgitation. It does not concern doctors unless it is leading to other heart problems which your scans show that you do not have. I have been living with it in addition to heart failure due to dilated cardiomyopathy for 8 years and the mitral regurgitation never caused a problem. Just get on with your life. The bisopralol should calm you down.

[Worriedmolly in reply to Hidden]

Thank you that helps a lot. Im sorry you have those problems..So your mitral regurgitation did not cause your other issues ?

[Hidden in reply to Worriedmolly]

No, pretty much like you it was noticed when looking for the much more serious condition of dilated cardiomyopathy. It doesn't need treatment and it doesn't affect the working of my heart. I'm sorry that covid has left you with problems such as palpitations and anxiety which I know can be scary. I hope that over time this goes away and you get back to normal x

[Worriedmolly in reply to Hidden]

Thank you I appreciate you taking the time to answer. Hopefully I can move forward from this eventually. I wish you all the best x

[Ktylerconk in reply to Hidden]

Agreed! I had open heart surgery 2 years ago to replace the aortic valve, mitral valve and to repair the tricuspid valve. I had what you have for many years and it was just watch and wait. That is the best thing to do unless you start having symptoms that worry you. I had regurgitation in one valve and stenosis in another. Your heart function is great, so just get on with your life as I did for at least 15 years!💕

[2greys]

I am sure you are fine, a lot of us live with these problems very normally. I have had Cardio Artherosclerosis (termed as Ischaemic Heart Disease) for many years before it was diagnosed in 2016 along with Emphysema. In those years previously, I was physically very active without even knowing that I had a problem. I have meds now to open up the arteries in my heart as my pulse rate has risen to compensate for my lowering blood oxygen.

[Worriedmolly in reply to 2greys]

Thank you its just I don't understand why they chose not to mention it to me and says everything is normal

[2greys in reply to Worriedmolly]

You need to see my clinic letters to the GP. Full of items that were never talked about in the clinic and I have to wait until the next appointment to ask questions, by which time I may have worked it out for myself.

[Ktylerconk in reply to Worriedmolly]

I agree. They should have talked to you about it. Your worrying would be so much less!

[Alberta56]

Try not to worry (easier said than done). It's a pity hospitals' communication skills can sometimes be lacking. They deal with your body and leave you with a lot of unanswered questions. I think we just have to assume that if there were anything seriously wrong they would be sorting it. 7 years ago I was discharged 5 days after bypass surgery without any information; sounds as if nothing has changed. Best wishes; Perhaps your GP can reassure you.

[Worriedmolly in reply to Alberta56]

Yes it definitely leaves you with anxiety when they say nothing. I hope you are doing well.

[Alberta56 in reply to Worriedmolly]

I think I must have looked like a robust healthy sort of person (no lung trouble in those days) when they threw me out. I did make a good , if gradual, recovery. I hope that your discharge means the same. Good luck. Keep in touch.

[Digger0]

First of all, IF it had been something to worry about, you would have been told. I found out that I had a serious heart defect and a stenosed pulmonary artery at 69, and have been an active mountain rescue member in the Peak District for 15 years, dug on excavations etc. Try not to worry, you'll be fine.

[Gemvan]

I would have a word with the doctor and get him to refer you to cardiologist as mitral valve regurgitation can get worse overtime depending on what has caused it. I have lung problems but was getting breathless more than ever so had an ultra sound on the heart was told something had shown up and not to worry as the cardiologist would be in touch. Didn't worry too much had an appointment with cardiologist who basically said I had severe mitral valve regurgitation which had been caused by having rheumatic fever as a child! Which I knew nothing about and the only way to solve it was to have open heart surgery! Im only 38! I am now on a waiting list for the operation! Don't want you to worry but do you have any breathlessness of fatigue? As these were my only symptoms, I would insist on speaking to cardiologist and so they can monitor your valves and symptoms as I have lived with this for years and no one ever picked this up untill now! Try not to worry as these things can be fixed!

[Ktylerconk in reply to Gemvan]

Totally agree. A regular echocardiogram is great as it shows the measurements of the valves and if there is any heart enlargement. I had surgery when I felt that my quality of life was not as good, but it was no emergency. Yours is only moderate at this point, so I really wouldn’t worry. And only one valve is affected.

I was told that I had rheumatic fever also, but no memory of it. Since I had three valves needing surgery , I did a lot of research in hospitals and surgeons! I am very happy with my choice., Dr. Craig Richey Smith.😀

[Gemvan in reply to Ktylerconk]

I have been told there is 1 Yr waiting list due to covid n my symptoms are worsening! How are you after the op? Have your symptoms improved?

[TwoDrifters]

I too suffered from mitral regurgitation. Over several years it got worse and worse, and I did some research and found that at my level, severe, I probably had a year or so to live. I can provide the scientific papers if you wish. Noting my conditions and recalling my father's conditions which were very similar, I decided I had grounds for concern.....Dad died when he was 54, I was approaching 80. So I opted for a mitral valve repair, not replacement. This involved effectively keyhole surgery to open up my heart and fit a retaining ring round the mitral valve and close the two flaps in towards each other so that there was proper overlap and a good seal......no more regurgitation, no more symptoms, big improvement all round.

Job was done by a wonderful charismatic heart surgeon, Paul Modi, at Liverpool Heart and Chest Hospital, and while he was at it he tightened up my tricuspid valve. I have a splendid video of the op, and the final scenes show my open heart being stitched up.

So Worriedmolly, do not worry, it can all be sorted out. Your echocardiograms will show how bad things are and you can take action when needed.

[Worriedmolly in reply to TwoDrifters]

Thank you I am glad you are doing well now.

Well I spoke with the cardiologist today and he feels I dont have a true moderate mitral regurgitation he feels the machines are so sensitive it picked this up only because I had covid and just had a AF attack which they feel was caused by covid . He will follow up in another year with a echo and expects it to be mild again. I have not to worry as he is not concerned at all. He is a expert in mitral vales seemingly.

I am trying to take this reassurance on board but I still worry regardless unfortunately.

Thank you again for your reply.

[gillianTS]

I was diagnosed with mitral valve regurgitation and prolapse a few years ago now when being checked for cardiomyopathy since my father's heart at autopsy was absolutely huge and he had never been diagnosed with any heart condition but struggled greatly in his life. The coroner suggested to me when I spoke with him that me and my siblings get checked out, thankfully none of us were diagnosed with cardiomyopathy but 2 of us have been diagnosed with mitral valve regurgitation and prolapse, the cardiologist recommended I have a scan every 2 years which helps me mentally, I get copies of every scan result and compare with the previous one.

I am very pleased you chased this up and that your consultant is going to follow this up in 12 months and this time the person doing the scan will be looking out for this whereas it's been found in you as an inicidental finding on this occasion and covid has been named as the reason. Hopefully everything will have improved, if the same keep pushing for ongoing regular scans to monitor the situation.

Really hope the forum has helped you, take care.

[Worriedmolly in reply to gillianTS]

Thank you i m so sorry about your Dad ...Has your mvr caused you any issues? Cardiologists don't seem to think its a big deal.

[gillianTS in reply to Worriedmolly]

No and no changes, only other thing is I can hear it, sounds silly but I have acute hearing and hear it sometimes when I'm in bed so I decided to start wearing ear plugs and much better now I can sleep.

My dad died very suddenly and was discovered submerged under wooden decking boards near a lock gate on a narrow boat canal, he had slipped under the boards and nobody saw it happen and was mot found for around 4 hours. The coroner confirmed he had not died through drowning which everyone had suspected so it was a huge shock to hear about his heart, the coroner believed it was his heart and he passed away just before entering the water or died and he somehow ended up in the water. I decided to contact his doctors surgery and requested all his medical records, I thought perhaps he had hidden an illness from us but he had not, he was not being treated for any heart condition despite the coroner suggesting that he was likely on medication, in the end I spoke directly to his GP and told her my dad would have been suffering for years and his continued visits to them nothing was ever picked up about his heart 😔 I just wanted them to know. We will never know what happened on that day but just getting to know more about his medical history and representation the family at the coroner's hearing helped me feel as though I had done something.