Bicuspid aortic valve and Bracycardia

[Gazania27]

Hello everyone , I have a Biscuspid Aortic Valve, I went to the doctors as I was getting a fluttering in my chest and palpitations that took my breath away for a second or so . I had a 3 day Novocor heart monitor fitted , the results showed Bracycardia early in the morning around 6am , my heart rate went as low as 47 BPM, my doctor has not contacted me and when I called they said that the 3 day monitor came back as normal , no further action.The only reason i know about the Bracycardia is because I have the NHS app and can see the report .

Anyone know if this low heart rate in the morning is ok ? Especially with a BAV

Thanks in advance

[Yumz199725]

I also have bicuspid aortic valve and my heart rate drops as low as that but I think that's fine when you sleep it drops low, my blood oxygen levels drop to 93 in the morning it does it randomly so I'm not even sure if that's something to worry bout. Have you not been put under a specialist to see what stage your valve is at x mine is moderate to severe aortic regurgitation and moderate stenosis and get yearly check ups with a congenital heart specialist been with one since before I was born so I thought that was like that for everyone ☹️

[Gazania27 in reply to Yumz199725]

Hi , thankyou for your reply.My BAV was not diagnosed until I was in my early to mid 40's , they give me an ultra sound every 2 years . ( which I ha e to remind then about ) , I'm 52 now , I thought the check ups would become more frequent . I get the impression from my doctors and when I have check ups that it's not treated as a big deal to them.

[Ageingfast]

hello Gazania

I too had a bicuspid aortic valve and it caused no problems for sixty plus years. In fact I didn’t know it was bicuspid and I had a pretty active life, cycling around the country, early morning running and playing about a million sets of tennis.

Most people have three propellers on the aortic valve but a minority have two. You and I are in that minority.

I suggest that you have nothing to worry about.

I became stenosed, which partially blocks the valve, and over a five year period that did cause problems. But having annual scans the medics could see how the stenosis was progressing. At first it was mild, then three or four years later it was moderate, then one year later it was severe and I needed the valve replaced.

The valve replacement was fantastic. Yes I was laid low for some months before and some months after the op. But the op giving a new valve was wonderful. I am now more than four years post op and there is no problem at all. No drugs, no restriction on activity. I do get checked annually, by getting two scans at a single visit to hospital. At the end of the annual visit I get told that all is clear. My nearest main hospital is really well geared for this annual visit. Seen on time, accompanied to each of the two scans personally, then shown to the senior nurses room where she gets the results in just a minute or two. She gives me the all clear and I am free to leave. A consultant is there if needed (maybe that would be a much longer wait) but the senior nurse is specially trained for the routine stuff.

The term brachicardia is medic speak for a low heart rate. I did have a low heart rate but as I was extra active, that was normal. And like many others my heart rate was lower at night. For me, 47bpm is low but nothing to worry about. When it hit 40 bpm then I worried. I hear that top athletes have low heart rate.

A key indicator that trouble was nigh for me was when I started to stumble forward. The stenosis was spreading.

So please enjoy your life without thinking that bicuspid is bad news.

Best wishes, Sooty

[Lexi72]

hi Gazania27 I also have a bicuspid valve and a low heart rate. It used to be about 48 but is now 44 (after beta blocker) 36 or 37 overnight. I was worried about the low heart rate and raised with my cardiologist who still wanted me on the beta blocker( for ectopic beats) . Despite the fact it lowers my heart rate still further.Told me unless I started fainting. Feeling dizzy or falling over he was not concerned and still wanted me on the beta blocker. Think that there is a wide range of heart rates and many people have low heart rates so this may explain why they are not worried. If you have further symptoms Ihowever for peace of mind would still follow up with your doctor who is likely to then have to ask the consultant Best wishes Lexi ps assume that you are being monitored with echos at regular intervals for the bicuspid. ? Could you ask at your next appointment?

[Gazania27 in reply to Lexi72]

Hi , thankyou for your reply , I have an echo every 2 years , I have to chase this up , which is annoying as the hospital or my doctor should make sure this happens.I also take a beta blocker, but this was given to me for anxiety , they didn't know about my BAV then .

I do notice in the rare occasion I forget to take my beta blocker or take it late I do start getting a fluttering and palpitations.

I have a phone appointment this coming Tuesday, will speak to him about it then.

Thanks again 😊

[Rosie1066]

Heart rate of 47 is quite normal when sleeping. I too had a bicuspid valve which I had replaced fifteen years ago.

[Parkhome in reply to Rosie1066]

hi, Rosie hope you are well, did the replacement valve solve the heart rate probleproblem, I've got bicuspid mild stenosis, & 4.94.9cm aortic dialation, & bigeminy, cardiologist believebelieves its caused by the faulty valve, do hope he's right.

[Rosie1066 in reply to Parkhome]

Hi, yes I was born with a bicuspid valve and knew about it all my life and the op certainly let me lead a perfectly normal life afterwards. I also have an aortic dialation which was possibly due to the biscupid valve but it appeared years after I had the op so can’t be certain, although the two do go together. I did eventually start suffering from Atrial Fibrillation, which again can happen after surgery for an aortic valve replacement. Was OK for a number of years but gradually got worse and I ended up with a pacemaker last year.