Enlarged Heart

[Julie_O]

Hi everyone. I have two mechanical valves, Mitral and Aortic. One is a 29mm diameter St Judes and the other is 21mm St Judes (sorry I can’t remember which is which now). I recently had a chest Xray which showed that I had an enlarged heart.

Would this be normal with valves of those sizes? The GP said that she’s not concerned because an Xray isn’t the best method of looking at the heart, but I need a bit of reassurance.

I suffer with health anxiety anyway, so I’m coming up with reasons why my heart would be enlarged but not failing, and the size of the two mechanical valves was what I came up with. I have emailed my cardiologist, his secretary and the research nurse, asking for reassurance, but nothing yet.

Could I have your thoughts? Any advice would be really welcome.

Thanks, I don’t post very often, only when I really feel I need help x

[HHH2017]

Hi, I have an enlarged heart due to damage from having myopericarditis. It struggles with exertion, particularly walking up hill/ any inclnes.

It might be worth giving the BHF nurses a call to discuss your own situation and if the valves might have a bearing on this. They are really supportive.

I also hope you get a reply soon from someone in your cardiac team that can put your mind at rest.

[Lindor23]

Morning. I had mitral valve repair in December 23, recently turned 50 & also suffer horrendous anxiety. My heart is very enlarged, caused by years of a faulty valve, maybe from birth, hence need for replacement mechanical valve (which ended being repaired in long surgery in the end). I was under the impression that an enlarged heart is common with our condition and repairing/replacing the values stops this growing larger. If you are still under a cardiologist let them know your concerns, if not ask your doctors to refer you for a scan to put you at ease. Like the other reply BHF nurses are fantastic & offer great advice too.

Stay strong, you are doing amazingly & don’t be afraid to go back to the doctors, you have been through a lot & if another scan puts your mind at ease push for it.

[Julie_O]

Thank you to HHH2017 and Lindor23 for your replies. I emailed my cardiology team last night giving them all of my concerns. She went through every concern that I have, and the outcome was that Dr Barr isn’t concerned as everything looks good for someone who’s had valve surgery. She also said never to be alarmed by an xray, its always the echocardiogram which matters and the last one I had in January showed my heart was of normal size and working well for what I have had done.

Wow, I feel so relieved! Thank you to you all for your support.

Jules