Mitral Valve thickening and moderate regurgitation

[Shoegally]

Hello,I recently received the results of my echocardiagram.

It showed me as having thickening in the mitral valves (no reduced blood flow) and moderate regurgitation on the mitral valve. With borderline dilated atrium.

Mild regurgitation on aortic valve.

A clinician (not a Dr) from my surgery called and said there is no further involvement from them needed, nor monitoring.

Does this sound right to you?

Thanks in advance

[PadThaiNoodles]

My regurgitation was caused by stretchy/floppy leaflets (myxomatous degenerative valve disease) and monitored with a yearly echo and the odd MRI & ProBNP tests thrown in every 5 or 10 years.

But thickened leaflets can be caused by previous inflammation (such as rheumatic fever). Maybe that kind of damage doesn't progress?

[Shoegally in reply to PadThaiNoodles]

Thanks so much for your reply PadThaiNoodles. I did have rheumatic fever as a child. Just a bit worried at being 'left' with no follow up

[Robinsnest105]

When I was diagnosed with moderate regurgitation, I had echocardiogram every 2 years and a telephone appointment in between. Hope that helps

[Shoegally]

Thank you for replying Robinsnest105. I have made an appointment to see a Doctor to ask why no follow up is deemed necessary. Quite worried, as everything I am reading says annual or bi annual checks are needed and I have just been dismissed 😔

[BC4ever]

I was diagnosed with moderate regurgitation of the mitral valve after having a heart attack and five stents fitted. The cardiologist who did my procedure, said it needed a heart scan every year to 'keep an eye on it'. He then discharged me to the cardiologist at my local hospital. I then had a telephone conversation with my new cardiologist (lasted no more than five minutes), who said he was discharging me, as I didn't need a scan every year. Pathetic. I think it's all down to money, and if your local Health Authority is struggling with this - then you are F****d.

[Shoegally]

Thanks BC4ever. I completely agree with you. I'm not sure what to do next. The Doctor who picked up on the murmer which lead to all this and was amazing has now left and now I am back to seeing anyone and no one seems bothered 😕

[Rosie0202]

Hello Shoegally,

If it's any consolation, my Echo in Nov 2024 reported mitral valve leaflets trivially thickened but open well. Mild mitral regurgitation. Left atrium moderately dilated. Right atrium moderate to severely dilated. The cardiologist didn't have any concerns about it but was surprised when my NT pro BNP was 2211 . No change to medication or anything to deal with and follow up due in May 2025. I do have atrial fibrillation though but otherwise according to the cardiologist my heart is structurally sound . Sometimes the terminology can be quite frightening but perhaps in their opinion it is nothing to be overly concerned with.

[Shoegally in reply to Rosie0202]

Thank you Rosie0202 for your reassuring words, been taking more of my beta blockers recently. Your message has reassured me . X

[Summertimeflowers]

Hi I have the same diagnosed 20 years ago every 2 years I have echocardiogram. This told slightly deteriorated but still going strong hope all goes well for you 🌻

[Shoegally in reply to Summertimeflowers]

Thank you Summertimeflowers x

[SuperFluff]

Hi Shoegally. I believe that you should be getting monitored if your mitral regurgitation is moderate. I learned five years ago that I had mitral valve regurgitation as a result of having had rheumatic fever as a child (which was news to me!) I was initially diagnosed as more mild than moderate at age 53 and told to come back in 3 years. Then I became moderate and was told yearly checkups. (I am due another check up soon actually.) Since the initial diagnosis I now have two more valves leaking but mild. I am based abroad at present but it is internationally recognized that this is a condition that needs to be monitored. I would ring UK Heart Valve Voice (UK Valve Charity) to see what they have to say. You can also ring the cardiac nurses at BHF. Good luck x

[Shoegally]

Thanks SuperFluff, I am also 53. I gave BHF a call earlier and the person I spoke to was amazing. She said I should contact PALS at the hospital where I had the echocardiagram. That's great advice on the UK Heart Valve Charity. I am going to definitely call them. Thanks again .X

[SuperFluff in reply to Shoegally]

That's such good news. They definitely need to monitor you. All the best x