Two weeks ago went to GP re tinnitus and during routine check with stethoscope was told i had a heart murmur! Today i saw a cardiologist and he performed an echo and ultrasound (not sure what it’s called). He told me that i had a slight leak in one of my valves - i can’t remember which one as was taken aback. He told me no follow up
but to get it checked again in a year or two! Since i have got home and had time to digest it i am now worrying myself sick! Can anyone reassure me. i have no symptoms other than the heart murmur and slight raised blood pressure.
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tripletx
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Hello
I had a triple Bypass and I never knew till a year later I had a slight leaky valve
I asked the surgeon why did you not tell me and fix it when she was in there
She said because it is only slight and half the population could be walking round with one but unless something comes up where it gets picked up they never know and go on to live full and healthy lifes
She went on to say when they are only slight there is nothing to worry about it may never get any worse and stay like that so stop worrying if it had needed doing I would have done it
I hope this reassures you a bit and they are just checking in a couple of years it is still the same which is a good thing and chances are it will be so please try not to worry if it was serious they know and would not have said we will check it in a couple of years
I was too taken aback to ask loads of questions and he was in a hurry to get elsewhere as left straight after - he did say which valve it was but I can’t remember what he said it all happened that quickly all i remember was he said to monitor it in a year
I have dreadful anxiety always have and I mean it is very severe but when she explained it to me even I have not let it worry me loads of other thongs do but I have let this one go x
He was in a hurry and i stupidly didn’t ask many questions and it was only after i got home it hit me and i wanted to ask lots of questions and for reassurance but i didn’t
I think this happens to us all and you are not stupid I know I have been where you are and will again having a appointment and realising I did not ask what I should have it is human nature
Honestly though it is nothing to worry about but you could talk with your Doctor or give the BHF Nurses a phone call they might be able to answer some of you questions and put your mind at ease x
Like Jean, I've had a leaky mitral valve for some years and have been assured that theres nothing to worry about. I'm monitored each year with an ECO, due to having HCM and they check this at the same time. I'm also quite an anxious person but strangely, this is one thing, having had it explained, that I dont worry about too much.
hi Nannysue, did your cardiologist take the time to sit down with you and explain everything fully and allay any fears you had and put your mind at rest? I haven’t had the chance to speak to the cardiologist who did my echo! I am a very anxious person and it is affecting my sleep and day to day life as so worried, i know everyone has said it is common and no need to worry but i now notice every little ache and pain near my heart area which i wouldn’t have before and it’s making it worse! I just need reassurance from folk so i can stop worrying which isn’t helping me at all at the moment xx
I've seen a few cardiologists over the years and all of them have explained things to me when I've asked. Maybe I've been lucky. Make a list of what you want to ask when you go and take notes as it's easy to forget.
As others have said don't worry, my GP said I had a murmur 40 years ago, it took another 25 years for them to diagnose a congenital bicuspid valve and a further 15 to get to today where i'm waiting my surgery. During that time I has yearly scans and lived my life normally.
also have a heart murmer.. discovered when i was pregnant with my first child 42 years ago.. discovered i had a leaky valve about 6 years ago.. checked again in 2020 but Cardiologist isn’t too concerned about it
i suppose you have to put your trust in the medical profession.. but i’ve read a lot of comments from people in the same position and it seems their Cardiologists don’t seem too concerned either.. bext time i speak to my GP i might bring the subject up in the conversation and get their input..
Please don’t worry - mildly leaky heart valves are really common. I’ve had a mild to moderate leaky mitral valve for at least 12 years, with no symptoms and no problems. I just get an echocardiogram every year or so. My last one actually showed the leak had improved somewhat.
Hi tripletx it's very reassuring that the murmur was picked up and then you was seen by a cardiologist. By the sounds of it your leak must be very mild and you have no symptoms it's something you will probably have monitored every year or two. I have aortic regurgitation and stenosis mine is moderate to severe, was you told what stage yours is at? as it's all new it can be overwhelming and terrifying makes sense to worry yourself sick about it. depending on what stage and being symptomatic surgery will probably be in your future but probably not for a long time I mean I'm not a doctor but sounds to me that it's not at a serious stage yet which is really reassuring. I will need surgery for mine eventually that's what I've been told 😉.Wish you all the best take care.
i was just told it was slight he didn’t go into detail at all, he did say which valve but i can’t remember as it was so sudden and it wasn’t till i was out i wanted to ask this and that - can a leaky valve be brought in by stress and anxiety?
Hello lots of people have provided helpful reassurance, all I’ll add is perhaps some focus on finding ways of coping with the anxiety in general would help more than focusing on the leaky valve (I only say this on the basis cardiologist has given reassurance and will still monitor you). This will then help with putting into perspective what the cardiologist has said. Also blood pressure will raise with anxiety and stress. And as you say is only slight.
Not an easy task to deal with anxiety and stress though but will help.
Nothing ng to worry about. When I had my cardio stress test my cardiologist told me I had a moderately leaky aortic valve. When I asked him what needed to be done he said nothing a this time. That was 3 years ago. Had an echocardiogram last month and I was told all my valves were mildly leaky but no follow up needed.
hi yes try not to worry. Apparently I have leaky tricuspid valve but wasn’t told when it was found in 2019 after irregular ecg and bp readings. I had symptoms. I’ve recently had low blood pressure and dipping pulse as well as palpitations. Despite all that the cardiologist has said it is unlikely my valve is worse in just 3 years. I am slightly sceptical as a lot has happened since then so may just ask for follow up echocardiogram . If I didn’t have symptoms I would not bother. Please be reassured by all of these great folk on here who have lived experience and appreciate how anxious these findings can make you feel.
I had a mild heart murmurs that was first diagnosed in 1990. It had no real effect until last year when I got endocarditis. If I hadn't got the endocarditis they probably wouldn't have noticed that my Mittal valve was shot as I put down my failing strength to old age, now being in my 60s. I had a pacemaker 4 years ago and they said my murmer had got worse but was still nothing to worry about, so the mitral failed within probably 3 years. So basically I had a murmer for 30 years with no I'll effects. I would say wait for a scan, see what the murmer is then don't worry about it unless you start getting short of breath, tired etc.
i had an ultrasound and echo yesterday and cardiologist said i have a very faint heart murmur and when he did the ultrasound he told me i had a slight leak in
one of my valves and to get it monitored in a year or two
Hi just read your excellent reply to Bobkins99 and noticed about you saying short of breath and tired that's literally how I've been feeling does that mean I'm symptomatic with moderate to severe aortic regurgitation and moderate stenosis I'm supposed to be having an MR and stress test and another holter monitor so maybe could be my time for surgery. Damn now I'm anxious.
It's natural to be anxious, I only went in for a blood test and was kept in for 6 weeks on massive doses of IV antibiotics every 4 hours for the full 6 weeks, and was also shipped off to the Brompton for open heart surgery in the middle of it. Funnily enough once I got over the initial shock of being kept in hospital I never stressed or worried as I knew I was in the best place to get treated. I'm not happy about being on a big cocktail of pills for life, but again it's much better than the alternative. Whatever life throws at you, stressing is the worst outcome 😉
Don't be anxious! You have youth on your side, which does count. The heart is mechanical, if one part is not working quite as it should, when your body calls for extra output on exercise the response is slow or muted and your muscles or lungs do not get the extra blood they need and struggle as a consequence. Replacing a mechanical part like a valve allows the heart to function at full strength again so your lungs and other areas have the blood supply they need. I had rheumatic fever at age 13, which damaged my aortic valve, but lived totally normally with a heart murmur for almost 20 years before the valve was replaced before my body started to struggle. Having had open heart surgery (with complications) and more recently (30 years later) a pacemaker fitted, I am still very much around and yes, God has (and does) looked after me, but I only remember one day of feeling really rough in all that. Surgery can sound daunting, but if it replaces a faulty part, you will feel much better afterwards. This may sound simplistic but it is sincere.
I’ve had a heart murmur all my life, lots of people do, but as it’s very rarely severe enough to need any treatment - and if it did it would have been picked when you were a child. They’re called ‘innocent’’, and nothing to worry about, or you wouldn’t have been told it didn’t need treatment.. Hugs
Thank you for all your lovely comments and reassurance, i will try and take it all on board, i just need to get help with my anxiety, i suffer from health anxiety and have been suffering since march after a health scare and i can’t sleep which in itself causes more anxiety, it’s a vicious circle and probably make my heart worse
I wouldn't worry if everything else in your heart is normal. I've had a moderate mitral valve regurgitation and mild regurgitation of tricuspid and aortic valves for years. No worsening. Just keep on getting checked every year.
Hi triplets. I can't comment on leaky valves, but my congenital hole in my heart (18 mm x 8 mm) was only picked up at the age of 69 as I was getting breathless! I had no symptoms at all before that and had a very active life spending 15 years as an active hill member of a mountain rescue team etc! I was still doing voluntary excavating on digs up to my surgery this year, and am 100% again!
Hi why don’t you ring the cardiologist’s secretary and ask if he could explain in more detail in a letter or maybe a cardiologist nurse specialist could give you a ring ? Take care.
i rang the hospital to ask that and was given the telephone number for the secretary but turned out it was the wrong telephone number and that was the only one they had! They said they would leave a message with the cardiologist but that he would not be back in the hospital till next wednesday so goodness knows if he will pick it up and ring me 😩
Do you have an email for them I find you leave an email with them and then they are more inclined to contact you that's how I go about doing it I was having some concerns about heart health so I left multiple messages and to my surprise they rang me and listened to what I had to say and they said they would talk to my consultant and his team and then literally a few weeks later I got a phone call about a face to face appointment which is like gold dust these days.
Oh I know it isn't there personal email it's one specifically designed for emergencys I was given a contact sheet with emergency numbers and an email incase I have any issues I thought everyone got that??
Have you still got your clinic letter? There are usually contact details on there, failing that you should be able to look up your consultant on the hospital website. I can for my hospital in Newcastle, it has email contact, obviously not the consultant’s personal email but someone from their department looks at these . Hope you get some answers soon!
It was a private hospital i had it done in as i have health insurance and he only practices in this hospital on a Wednesday, he is at an NHS hospital the rest of the time so the private hospital has emailed him to ask him to ring me but he may not pick that up until next wednesday and the number they had for his secretary is wrong! i telephoned the private hospital yesterday and today but still not had a reply from the consultant which leads me to believe he may not get back to me until next week which i think is quite bad when you are paying for a service
Hi I was told ( won’t say diagnosed as the medics didn’t seem to think it even deserved that title) many years ago and at that time you didn’t ask questions just accepted what you were told.
Roll on 50 years and as far as I know it is still the same. I was never followed up. It was only when I developed angina 20 years ago that I started having other tests eg echo ecg ct angiogram and 2 invasive angiograms. The talk was all about angina and microvascular disease the murmur didn’t even merit a mention I was just told it was very common and harmless in my case.
Hopefully all the replies have reassured you although anxiety is awful to control at times. Try to forget it and just get on with your life which I can assure you just flies past!
I was born with a systolic murmur and it's still with me at the age of 74. I had an echocardiogram just last week and it's still there and I'll be still ignoring it, and the doctors are still not concerned.
If there was any doubt about your murmur, the cardio would get it fixed, pronto. On the positive side, you're on the radar as is your GP. Next time you're with the GP ask if they will schedule you for a two year check or whether you should diarise it yourself.
I decided many years ago to accept it and crack on with life...
Hi Tripletx, I was diagnosed with a slight leak in my mitral valve in 2014 following an episode of atrial fibrillation after competing in a 10k race. The leak was found on an echocardiogram and the atrial fibrillation was corrected by cardioversion. I have no symptoms from it and am still fit and active at 63. I have annual checkups and this year the cardiologist informed me that the leak had worsened - but still no symptoms. If such a leak does worsen, it can lead to atrial fibrillation and a decline in heart function. The cardiologist is recommending I have surgery to repair the valve - while I am still in good health and to preserve normal heart function. Just to reassure you, heart valve leaks are common and research indicates that around 2% of the population may have them, without even knowing about it.
Hello there, think one thing we can all relate to regardless of diagnosis is the anxiety we feel when our health is in question. This site really does offer the support we all need as we journey through our cardiac issues. Also maybe call the help line offered here and have a cardiac professional answer all your questions. Maybe write your questions down before the call so all is covered. Information is key to reduce anxiety and move onwards. All the best going forward.
Hi Tripletx if you go to front page and click on ‘About’ section you will see contact info but here it is below
If you have any questions or concerns, and would
like to speak with one of our cardiac nurses, please
do contact our Heart Helpline team on 0300 330
3311 Mon-Fri 9-5pm or email
hearthelpline@bhf.org.uk
Hello I read your thread and I understand your concerns. With me I have tricuspid valve regurgitation. I won't go into too much detail but like you it has cause me to go to another planet regarding anxiety. However I will try and put a positive spin on this. Many valves can and do leak as you get older. Mine was from birth, but as iam now older it is more obvious, but you did point out that your blood pressure was raised? This will need to be checked. But as you do get older your blood pressure can naturally increase. Now you do need to trust the medical profession. So this is a positive. But just keep an eye on blood pressure. In the UK they seem to be happy if the blood pressure is below 140/90, but they prefer 120/80. Remember these figures are at rest. I do know how you feel and it's not fun. I just want to point out my blood pressure did go into three figures both top and bottom. 200/100 was not unusual for me but it is now under a bit of control.
I was diagnosed with AF several years ago and I remember being extremely worried about that but gradually accepted it as not being a particular problem. A couple of years later the consultant told me that I had three leaky heart valves, two only minor leakage with the third being worse. I have check ups every two years so I’m grateful for that. I am 80 and very active and although not much energy some days generally feel quite good. Things are not always as bad as they first seem to be. Take care x
I have the same, which was found during an echocardiogram because of arythmia. The consultant said that it is unrelated and about a quarter of the adult population have something similar but don't know it.
I am so sorry you have had this news as it's not an every day event of course, very frightening.
As most have said on here, please try not to worry (easier said than done at this stage, I know) - because it is actually very common. I have had aortic (valve) regurgitation (or leaky, as they sometimes call it) probably since birth (but only got it diagnosed in my late 30's as just ignored it previously but then I started to feel a bit wobbly if very stressed, which I was due to work etc.. which made my heart work much harder). Mine is mild to moderate, or moderate, depending on how it is each year (or now each two years!) when I have my echocardiogram (ultrasound scan thing, like when they do it when pregnant ie just slime you a bit and use the handheld thing and put it over your heart and valves to see how they are doing - it's funny as you can hear the blood swishing through - you can hear/see video's of it on YouTube if you like). Mine is congenital (ie since birth) and my brother had this too, so did my mother and I think my father too. I also have atrial fibrillation, since birth, as did the rest of my family - have any of your family had symptoms or been tested for it? My parents lived til a ripe old age - 89 and 90! It was the Big C that got them in the end. They had full lives and this is no doubt due to their fantastically clean/nutritious diet, drinking 3 litres of filtered water a day - and keeping active every day and keeping stress to a minimum as was their want. These things are essential for our lives, whatever we do or don't have wrong with us. .. and especially for your heart.
I'm 60 (but think I'm 30) in a couple of weeks and my heart is still very happy generally although the AF can go a bit bonkers now and then (ie go on for 10hrs at a time and mine is very strong when it goes, so I really know about it!). So I had something called "ablation" about 7yrs ago and it's a simple procedure that means they go up an artery in your groin up into the heart and "freeze" away the areas that make the heart "miss-fire" ie go into arrhythmia.. It worked very well after about 6mths (and reducing stress in my life as much as possible - I was in Social Work so it was probably one of the most stressful jobs you could do, although people aren't aware that is the case!). I am also on aspirin, to keep my blood nice and thin, to off-set risk of strokes as leaky heart valves AND atrial fibrillation can increase risk of that. But my diet and water intake, plus my daily exercising keep my body in best condition I can.. so I know I am in control of that. If you think you need to address that, it will really help you all round, in knowing you are doing your best for yourself.. You'll also look and feel better as a by-product and off-set the plethora of other health conditions that can occur if these things are ignored. I know so many people who are basically dehydrated and malnourished, just due to not drinking enough each day (as they "don't like water") and not following a common sense diet, and drive everywhere.. - apologies for saying this, as you are probably completely on it, just feel so strongly that people aren't aware of what they need to do to look after themselves, and therefore able to stay aware from the poor NHS.
My brother's AF and aortic regurgitation were FAR MORE severe than mine, and he had a pig valve put in around 45yrs old I think. It was no problem after he recovered, had a full life, and it worked perfectly until he passed last year with unrelated issues (Parkinson's and complications of sepsis).
I hope that all helps. Honestly, if they were worried they'd have got you into hospital and sorted things out or put you in for further tests right now. I can only hope that you have read all this and are beginning to let it settle inside, but just take your time (no other option of course ;). It's a shock, I totally understand that, and I was the same, but I do hope you can accept it, knowing it isn't (hopefully) going to prove a huge issue in your life, as far as I can tell from what the docs told you, and maybe take this time to read up how to keep yourself as healthy and fit and hydrated as you can - and maybe limit alcohol to a reasonable amount (apologies if you don't drink!) ie I used to drink quite a bit in my youth and it REALLY didn't help my AF - or any other of my conditions (I have many), but didn't know I had these issues (brought up by a father who was anti doctors... so I just didn't know!).
All the best to you, and any time you need to talk it out, as you can see, everyone on here is ready and waiting.
i’m 60 next month too and always been fit and healthy, have been suffering from anxiety since March of last year due to a health scare and things have snowballed since then and anxiety and sleep has rarely left me! My sleep is atrocious and i now have sleep anxiety and now it’s even worse with this news! Can they tell how long you have had a heart murmur/leaky valve whether it is something new or i’ve had for years?
You've had many sensible and helpful responses to your post, but I'm not sure whether it has been made clear that the slightly leaking valve is the cause of the sound that the GP hears through the stethoscope and calls a heart murmur. In other words, they are not two separate issues. I doubt that anxiety would cause a valve to leak, but this is something that you could discuss with your GP, who should receive the results of the echocardiogram in due course.
no i know that the heart murmur is because of the leaky valve, had i not gone to my doctor two weeks ago regarding anxiety and tinnitus i would never have found out thst i had a murmur! Tell me can they tell how long you have had a murmur and leaky valve?
I would say that the only way you could estimate how long you have had a heart murmur would be if your GP had listened to your heart in the past and had not heard a murmur. As others have said, it would appear to be a very minor issue that you shouldn't be anxious about, but should be monitored every year or so.
thank you - i can’t remember the last time i had a stethoscope listen to my heart! When i’ve been at hospital appointments in past they have taken blood pressure but not listened to heart so it would be guessing how long it’s been there! i know i’ve had lots of anxiety and stress since 2019 so maybe it started then
Hi there, I hope you have felt some reassurance from the comments of those with true life experiance regards valve issues. My take on it would be that your main priority with your health would be the anxiety you suffer.
Research locally for a trained therapist who deals with trauma, & anxiety - this will benefit you greatly.
Elements of our life such as our sleep are so very important to our health & our healing & our general well-being.
This is something you can then feel in control of.
i agree my anxiety is bad and every waking moment i thinking about my health, i hsve sleep anxiety too and dread going to sleep as i know i will wake up two, three hours later and not get back! ever since i was told i had a slight leak in one of my valves i feel a strange feeling my chest - will this be increased anxiety! i had counselling but that did not help and i am in a waiting list for CBT! mental health wise it’s a nightmare to be seen and anything to be done! Should i just tell myself that my slight valve leak is nothing to worry about and try and convince myself? The devil on one shoulder is taking over the angel on the other and winning at the moment! The catastrophising is winning hands down and affecting my daily life 🥲🥲🥲🥲🥲🥲🥲
It’s a very difficult loop to break free from - I’ve felt similarly.
Personally the funds I chose allocate for a few months of private trauma therapy were invaluable.
Waiting for help (to help heal our minds) in the NHS often worsens things as the time wasted in the delay itself ramps up the problem.
CBT is just one type of assistance, there are others. It’s not a one size fits all & I found CBT didn’t get to the underlying problem, it only treated the effects.
A bit like putting on earmuffs to reduce the noise; rather than finding out where the noise was coming from & turning it off.
Have a glance at some private options in your area & take faith that since reaching out & being curious your cardiac problem could be ‘parked’ in second place for now, whilst your mind could be assisted a little sooner 🙂.
thank you, i know i have t address this severe anxiety and i know that i am nt helping myself with my cardiac problem having severe anxiety, i know exactly what to d but it’s like my mind fights against what it should be doing and when lights are off the catastrophising takes over! i’ve had counselling but that didn’t help much as just talking and i am trying acupuncture which helps at time but a day or so later back to square one, i’ve tried antidepressants too, but the side effects and withdrawals are harsh! if only i could wave a magic wand
My dad has a leaky mitral valve and has had it for longer than I’ve been around so more than 30 years and he said he’s never noticed any symptoms from it 🙂
Obviously everyone is different and I completely appreciate that this has been a big shock for you and a lot to take in. Other than now knowing about the value, it may help to think about what else has changed? Did you feel unwell/were you experiencing any symptoms beforehand? Is it going to dramatically impact on your day to day life? If not, then breathe and I mean really take time to concentrate on your breathing, calm yourself, ground yourself and tell yourself - this diagnosis doesn’t define me.
It may be helpful to make a list of questions and request a telephone appointment with your gp to help you to understand what this means for you and to help you move forward in a way that you’re comfortable with.
I hope that you’re feeling a bit better today and that every day gets that little bit easier, take it at your own pace and be kind to yourself 🙂
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