Hi, I’m new to this site so apologies if I’m not posing this question in the right place.
I’m 41 and about 4 years ago I was diagnosed with mitral valve regurgitation and have been prescribed medication to relieve my symptoms.
I’ve also recently been diagnosed with a fibroid which they want to surgically remove by a keyhole procedure.
Has anyone had and non heart surgery with a similar heart condition please?
Thanks
My wife had a hip replacement while also having a dodgy mitral valve. It was all very straightforward
I’ve just sat down at my desk at work and read your reply. I actually welled up with tears. I’ve been so anxious and not known if I want the surgery and with just 2 sentences I feel a huge weight has been lifted. Thank you so much
Just to add to Steve's comment (I'm the wife!) - do tell your anaesthetist and surgeon - they may want to check the severity of your leak with your cardiologist. My anaesthetist said he would just make sure my BP stayed up and my heart kept pumping nicely.
There are probably thousands of people who undergo surgery with leaky valves they don't know about - so we're in a fortunate position and can get the right care. Good luck!
Haha hi!
Yes I will do. The surgeon has said once I’m comfortable he will write to my cardiologist but you are so right about people having leaky valves and not knowing. I think I’m just really anxious as I get breathless and have chest pains and they are telling me it’s unrelated to my heart so I’m super worried there is something else wrong that they’ve not yet diagnosed.
It took 2 years of fighting to get diagnosed with a moderate to sever leaky valve!
I had unrelated surgery five months after my bypass. It was all straightforward bar some heart drugs have to be stopped anything from one to five days before surgery. After the pre-op I was sent specific instructions in regard to this.
Wow, this is so helpful. I guess it’s normal and I don’t need to worry.
Majority of people who get heart surgery continue living life as if they’ve never even had a surgery or had a heart condition! Anxiety makes everything seem unnecessarily worse when it really isn’t that bad at all.
MussP, my slightly leaking heart valve so diagnosed some 15+ years ago by accident was never followed up. Recently, chest pain had my GP whisk me off to A&E where I was admitted for 5 days, wired up to a monitor for 48 hours following an echocardiogram, diagnosed with now moderate to severe, regurgitation and fluid around the lungs, prescribed 5mg Bisoprolol and an increased dose of my Losartan BP medication and discharged. A further echo just recently has impressed the cardiologist (in a good way!) and I will be checked again in a year’s time. I did have a small op with GA several months ago whilst unaware of the situation and all was well. BUT you mention having chest pain - do get that checked out now, and good luck!
Go prepared for the pre-op to overrun as they may decide on extra tests. Best to get it done and dusted on the day rather than have to go back!
If they don’t suggest a pre-op, I shall ask for one. What did yours consist of please?
They would never give a general anesthesic without a pre-op... They should also do one for a local as issues could mean a change of plan on the day... I had the usual BP and bloods... Discussed medical history with pre-op nurses, saw consultant's assistant for a check and review, and then went on for ECG, echocardiogram and chest X-ray... For the bypass I had many more including urine tests, lung function (they take a hammering in OHS), cartoid artery scan and kidney scan. In fact full MOT!
I had my pre op on Friday. Discussed medical history, had bp, bloods, urine test, ECG and lung function. I go in this afternoon. Thanks for your reassurance!
Makes sense! Thanks!!
I’ve been booked in for my surgery on Tuesday and am going for my pre op today. Thank you so much for all of your support. I’m sure I’ll be a total mess on the day with fear but re-reading these messages have really helped xx
Good luck for today. Stay strong and positive. Sending big hugs and positive thoughts. Thinking of you. Focus on your recovery. Take care. Zena x
All went well! I freaked out when I got downstairs but everything went well. Was meant to be discharged today but my bp kept dropping so I’ll go home tomorrow so they know I can start my Amlodopine again for my MVR
Glad to hear it went smoothly. A friend had day surgery the same day. Despite only going down at 16:30 and having low oxygen at 21:00 they were discharged at 23:30. They live alone and their son was not impressed!
Hopefully your BP stabilised and you are on your way home shortly.
Wow!! I wouldn’t be impressed with that either! That’s dreadful!!
It’s still been a bit up and down but I still be going home in the morning and they’ve asked me to continue monitoring it at home before I start back the meds which sounds sensible.
Thank you all!
Travel Insurance with heart condition
Open heart surgery.
Non obstructive coronary heart disease
Open heart surgery 
