Eeek! Mitral Valve broken

[Etruscan27]

Went for an echocardiogram recently having been sent by GP. I'd been getting breathless when exercising. Had phone call inviting me to see GP next week. I made the 'mistake' of looking for my test results online. It didn't make good reading. Mitral prolapse with severe regurgitation. Dreading seeing him now. First time on here for me. It's great to see all the support and tips. All the best everyone.

[Lopas]

just remember, treatment beats the alternative!

I had a mitral valve repair just over six weeks ago and I’m feeling positive and that life is good, do look beyond the first appointment and even the recovery and think of being better….

Talking to the nurses in hospital many people seem to have a few black days 2 to 3 days after an operation as they have built themselves up for that operation rather than looking up longer term to being well again.

[Etruscan27 in reply to Lopas]

Thanks for your reply. I hope you continue to make an excellent recovery. I feel as though I've put the cart before the horse coming on here before I've even seen my GP! I've had a lucky life health wise apart from a bowel cancer surgery in 2021. This valve issue has come out of the blue. I guess I'm just trying to get my head round it!

[Daffodilia]

My husband was anxious too but doctor said - we have found problem - we will fix it and you will get better. He had op in August and back to normal now (almost)

[Etruscan27 in reply to Daffodilia]

That's great to hear! Thanks for your reply. It's very encouraging. I'll post how things go with GP after Wednesday. Nice cat by the way...

[Daffodilia]

Good Luck - if you need more info as you progress let me know- cat is called Harriet

[Etruscan27 in reply to Daffodilia]

Thank you. Ours is Dolly...

[Paul7777]

Don't worry it can be fixed. Had mine done 7 weeks ago feeling much better. One step at a time but it got such a high success rate. Key is to not get ahead of yourself and think about surgery and recover when that could be months or a year away. Important thing is it pick up now and you will be fixed up when you need it. If you ever need any friendly advice happy to support. Paul

[Etruscan27 in reply to Paul7777]

Hi Paul, thanks for your encouragement. You're right! I'm definitely jumping ahead of myself. Pleased to say my BP has responded well to my Ramipril. I'm working on keeping stress levels down too. Really glad to hear you're getting better now. 7 weeks goes fast... take care,

Paul

[Davestubbs]

hi. Sorry to hear of your news. I am now 5 months on from mitral valve repair. I’m now back to my cycling running and weight training. Not quite back to where I was a year ago but not far. The recovery is quite quick. First few days being the worst inly because you’re pretty much bed bound. But the nurses get you up and walking really quickly and encourage walking as early as possible. I walked up and down the hospital corridor. Recovery is remarkably quick. The sternum taking longest by quite a way. I slept on a recliner chair for a week when I got home. In my back only. Then in bad with supports to keep me from rolling on to my side. Thereafter huge improvements on a weekly basis. I recommend getting as much cardiovascular exercise as you can. On the whole not anywhere near as bad as I thought it would be. And as I said earlier I’m pretty much back to normal now.

[Etruscan27 in reply to Davestubbs]

Hello Dave, huge thank you for posting your positive story. I'm in to see GP tomorrow, so I hope to know more after that. I'll take on board your tip re: exercise. I cycle to work anyway, and have a reasonably active job, but a bit of weight loss and some extra fitness would definitely be good. Hope you're soon back to 100%. All the best,

Paul

[Davestubbs in reply to Etruscan27]

Wish you best Paul. The thought of it all is much worse than the reality. The nurses, doctors, surgeons are absolutely awesome despite all the bad press we hear. Forgot to mention the food. I was fine with hospital food. Several choices and I always went for the most sensible. So I was fine. Some of my ward mates were whinging a bit 🥴. Not sure if you’re NHS or private but NHS was fine. Met some great people with very similar problems as you might imagine. All did great. Wish you well. Dave

[Etruscan27 in reply to Davestubbs]

Cheers Dave. I've always liked 'canteen food'. I'm NHS through and through. My partner and I have had amazing care by everyone we've met in the NHS over the years. Today might reveal where things are heading. I'll post later.

All the best,

Paul