Bicuspid aortic valve: Hi everyone, I... - British Heart Fou...

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Bicuspid aortic valve

Gazania27 profile image
12 Replies

Hi everyone, I have a BAV no medication , just heart scans every 2 years to check all OK.

The reason for my post is this.

I have recently gone back to the gym after many many years , I'm doing 45 mins of cardio 2 about 3 times a week and some weight a couple of times a week.

Recently when doing cardio on either the cross trainer or rowing machine I ha e been getting heart flutters /palpitations. No pain, no more out of breath than I should be , no dizziness. Just a weird type of flutter , like a bird flapping it's wings in my chest .

It comes and goes and lasts a few seconds .

Doctors don't seem to think a BAV is serious if the heart scans show no symptoms

Am I reading too much into these "flutters"

My partner has had an SCA in Dec last year , maybe I'm being paranoid ?

I'm 51

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Gazania27 profile image
Gazania27
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12 Replies
Hanibil profile image
Hanibil

I would ask for a second opinion just to be safe

Yumz199725 profile image
Yumz199725

Hi I also have a BAV along with a few other things, you can read my bio to find out more. I experienced alot of palpitations a few years back so went to A&E and bloods done, chest Xray and ecgs and didn't show anything but my palpitations just got worse and worse and eventually a holter monitor picked up ventricular Tachycardia so Im on verapamil for that have been for nearly 3 years. Like you I was very nervous about going to the gym so I checked with my consultant first just to make sure it was safe for me to go and he said I can do cardio but can't lift weights of any kind so I do exercise bike and treadmill at the gym. If this is new symptoms for you maybe get in touch with your GP and see if they can arrange an ecg and holter monitor to see what's causing the palpitations. I agree it literally feels like something flapping around in your chest and also like your heart is jumping up and down in your chest x wish you all the best and hope you get to the bottom of what's causing this x

Gazania27 profile image
Gazania27 in reply to Yumz199725

Hi , thankyou for your reply , I think I will get it checked, were your palpitations as a direct result of you BAV ?

Yumz199725 profile image
Yumz199725 in reply to Gazania27

That I'm not sure off, I have BAV and moderate to severe aortic regurgitation, and moderate stenosis so will need valve replacement surgery some time in the future x

Blackcatsooty profile image
Blackcatsooty

hello Gaza

I didn’t even know that my aortic valve was bicuspid. I reached well past 70 before I knew. So I don’t think you need to take your missing propellor as affecting exercise. Enjoy your life.

Best wishes

Sooty

road2ruin profile image
road2ruin

Hi Gaza, I was 49 when my bicuspid valve was discovered, and like you I was doing a lot of exercise, but cycling instead. I never noticed flutters, mine was angina. When I had the echo, it turned out I was severe, so surgery was quite soon.

Have another chat with your specialist, but I am pretty sure they know what they are doing. It could be the flutters are unrelated. As we get older arythmias are a lot more common.

Good luck

Pete

Samgeorge profile image
Samgeorge

Hi, I’d go and get it checked again. I had severe aortic stenosis, no symptoms to speak of, but had to have aortic valve replaced……all good now 🤞

Isobel1 profile image
Isobel1

Hi Gaza, I belong to a Facebook group for those with aortic valve problems, many of whom have had surgery.( I'm not saying this is what you need at the moment) But It might be worth getting checked out by your specialist, just incase you are over doing it .

DippyDingDong profile image
DippyDingDong

Hi Gaza, I found out that I had a BAV after investigations for palpitations. It was also found that I have a dilated ascending aorta, which can be associated with BAV. Your palpitations may be unrelated, but like others have said, it would be prudent to get it checked again.

MickP1000 profile image
MickP1000 in reply to DippyDingDong

My BAV was normal on scans until my 50s when the dilated aorta started. Once it got to a certain size I opted to have it replaced and the valve (metal) to take away risk of rupture. The surgeon said the valve was starting to go. That was 3 years ago, all fine since

Drummer20 profile image
Drummer20

I had arrhythmias which were benign,there did appear to be a link to my heart valve disease because since my aortic valve replacement in August the fluttering and palpitations have stopped.I wonder if more research needs to go into heart valve symptoms.They won’t replace the valve until it is severely damaged because it’s a risky operation.

Hi Gazania, I have the same symptoms with the flutters. What has helped me is reducing caffeine to one small square of dark chocolate. Try that to see if it helps. Peace

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