I have a leaky heart valve

[judy]

I went to a nurse practitioner today who has been highly recommended. She did a really thorough discussion of my health history and examination.

My reason for going is because I don't have the energy I'm used to having. She discovered a heart murmur, which she said was a "leaky valve." She said they are common as you get older. I have to go for all kinds of cardiac tests, a blood test, and the usual gyn tests.

I am really nervous about the leaky valve. My mother had mitral stenosis, open heart surgery, and was very sick with rheumatic fever. I don't have anything like that, but I looked online - a big mistake! - and see a lot of talk about surgically replacing the valve.

I'm going to schedule the tests tomorrow. I hope I get an appointment right away. I want to know what's up.

I'm not sure I'm going to tell Jessie until I know more. I don't want her to panic.
If I get too nervous though, I will tell her.

I have always been amazingly healthy, and have no idea what it is to be anything but strong and healthy. I used to have terrible headaches, but they weren't known to cause any other damage but pain.

[Marilyn]

Judy, I so hope that it's not serious, and if it is, that it's easily treatable. It's always scary when it involves the heart. There is so much they can do today though, and you have access to the best medical care in NYC. You will be in our prayers.

[gja1000]

Dear Judy,
Leaky valves can be nothing serious or they can need fixing, but please do not stress about it till you know more.

I'm betting that your mom had rheumatic fever before she developed the valve problem, correct? Rheumatic fever damages the valve, so if she had the fever before she developed valve problems, that is what caused it.

Or if she had a leaky valve and then had rhumatic fever, that is what made her valve problem worse. Almost everyone who has rheumatic fever has valve problems and if they get old enough, they need to be fixed.

So, try not to worry, till you know more!

[Gina]

Dear Judy,
Leaky valves can be nothing serious or they can need fixing, but please do not stress about it till you know more.

I'm betting that your mom had rheumatic fever before she developed the valve problem, correct? Rheumatic fever damages the valve, so if she had the fever before she developed valve problems, that is what caused it.

Or if she had a leaky valve and then had rhumatic fever, that is what made her valve problem worse. Almost everyone who has rheumatic fever has valve problems and if they get old enough, they need to be fixed.

So, try not to worry, till you know more!

Judy listen to our nurse!!! She is wonderful and comforting... I am sure its nothing but it is best to check.. I will say a prayer for good results ...

[Janet]

Judy...as always my friend, you are in my prayers. I know it's easier said than done, but try not to worry too much until you know more. I hope the Drs. can see you right away to help ease your mind.

[DianaB]

Judy, I have Mitral Valve Prolapse (MVP), which is a leaky valve. Most people don't have any trouble with it and others eventually have to have it replaced. I can understand what you mean about the tiredness. I have other health issues that factor in and I go through spells of being extremely tired. I was really worried when I was first diagnosed with it but I try not to worry about it anymore. A lot of people live with this condition with no problems.

[donna1990]

Judy, I will be praying for you. Hope you get your tests results quickly.

[AngieDoogles]

Judy, I'm sorry you're nervous. I agree with Gayle that you shouldn't worry until you know more. Maybe you'll have all those tests and then the doctor will tell you everything is fine. :) I'll keep you in my thoughts and prayers.

[judy]

Dear Judy,
Leaky valves can be nothing serious or they can need fixing, but please do not stress about it till you know more.

I'm betting that your mom had rheumatic fever before she developed the valve problem, correct? Rheumatic fever damages the valve, so if she had the fever before she developed valve problems, that is what caused it.

Or if she had a leaky valve and then had rhumatic fever, that is what made her valve problem worse. Almost everyone who has rheumatic fever has valve problems and if they get old enough, they need to be fixed.

So, try not to worry, till you know more!

My Mom had untreated strep as a child, which led to rheumatic fever, and then heart damage. . She had surgery, but the rheumatic fever really did her in, and she smoked on top of it. She actually died from emphysema. I allowed her doctor to do an autopsy on her heart since she was one of the first to have open heart surgery. He also had kept her alive for over 20 years. He told me that there wasn't enough heart tissue to examine! What a will to live she had.

I know I don't have anything similar, but because of my experience with my mother, the whole idea frightens me. I have also only been in a hospital once as an in-patient, and that was to have a baby.

Jessie is coming with me, and I'm lucky that I have an appointment on 4/27.

I'm still scared, but I'm not going to panic. I just need to know what's up so that I can deal with it. I was diagnosed with a heart murmur years ago, and went right to my Mom's cardiologist. He told me that I do not have a heart murmur, and that the doctor's stethescope was probably broken. My internist also listened to my heart every time I went, and never found anything wrong. I was there less than a year ago. I know I haven't been walking around with something that can damage my heart for a long time.

Anyway, I don't even want to have to take medication. She also told me my BP was a bit high - 130/62. I don't think that's high enough to worry about.

I think I'm so low energy because I'm anemic. My bottom eyelids are not showing any red.

[gja1000]

You may have a murmur that comes and goes. actually one that can be heard sometimes and not heard at other times. (i'm using my daughter's netbook computer and the shift key is too hard to use, so no caps). that kind of murmur is not at all serious.

they will likely do an ekg, and an echocardiogram. neither are invasive and don't take much time. you'll do fine.

i agree with yoou, your lack of energy is likely anmeia rather than anything heart related.

any blood pressure that is consistenly above 120 (on the top number) (and above 80 on the bottom number) is cause for concern and should be treated. the word consistantly is the key. you should get an automatic bp cuff and take it at home 2-3 times a day and see what it is over time. it has been suggested that high blood pressure, even a little high, can damage the white matter of our brain (among other things) and cause mental changes as we age. they wont treat a bp of 130/70 unlesss the top number stays above 120 all the time

[judy]

You may have a murmur that comes and goes. actually one that can be heard sometimes and not heard at other times. (i'm using my daughter's netbook computer and the shift key is too hard to use, so no caps). that kind of murmur is not at all serious.

they will likely do an ekg, and an echocardiogram. neither are invasive and don't take much time. you'll do fine.

i agree with yoou, your lack of energy is likely anmeia rather than anything heart related.

any blood pressure that is consistenly above 120 (on the top number) (and above 80 on the bottom number) is cause for concern and should be treated. the word consistantly is the key. you should get an automatic bp cuff and take it at home 2-3 times a day and see what it is over time. it has been suggested that high blood pressure, even a little high, can damage the white matter of our brain (among other things) and cause mental changes as we age. they wont treat a bp of 130/70 unlesss the top number stays above 120 all the time

Thanks Gayle. I should have taken a BP cuff when I retired from teaching! We had some in the science room. I'll see if the drug store has a cuff.

[Blueyes]

I'm so sorry that you are having problems! Remember that your blood pressure might be a little high due to the stress of the situation. Good luck, and keep us updated.

[gja1000]

The drugstore should have a cuff, for sure. I just bought a manual cuff at walgreens for 15.00. If you don't know how to take a bp manually, then get an automatic cuff. It will cost a little more. It is something everyone should have just to check their own bp every now and then, or frequently, if there is a problem.

Many people have white coat syndrome, where the bp is higher in the office, even in the absence of stress or anxiety - we have no clue why it happens to some people. Others are stressed and anxious about being in the dr. office.

Anyway, if you think you might be having a bp problem, then you should be checking it at home. High blood pressure can cause so many problems, and it is so easily treated!!!

[Mandy]

Try not to panic, there is so much they can do these days, i hope you get results soon, it will ease your mind.
Keeping you in my thoughts and prayers always!!

[Forgivenmom5]

Judy you will be in my prayers. When I first suspected I had cancer I went online and that is one reason I didn't go to the doctor. I really thought it was hopeless so I have learned not to rely on the internet for medical information. Maybe this will be simple to treat and you will feel better soon.

[Shada]

Thinking of you Judy and praying this will turn out to be nothing serious.

{{HUGS}}

[judy]

I'm going for a blood test on Thursday. Jessie said she is coming with me on Monday for the cardiology tests. I'm not sure that will work. I think it may take several hours. I'm having an EKG, an echo cardiogram, a cardiac consultation to see if I can take a stress test, and a chest x-ray to see the size of my heart.

They are thorough up here!!! I think I will know whatever I need to within the next 2 weeks.

I'm watching Dr., Phil right now and they're talking about a lack of energy, etc. associated with menopause. I'm already on a very low dose of FHT, which I just cut down to 3/week. I have been on them for 12 years now and really do not want to continue for too long. Bioidentical hormones sound pretty safe, but I have symptoms that are not helped by that kind. (Or so I was told).

Truthfully, I do not trust doctors 100%. I have seen diagnoses match the specialist you see way too often. I have also been told so many different things about the same issue by different doctors. Medical science is not an absolute.

I do think I trust an EKG, etc. though - so we will see.

[Janet]

I watched that show too, well I had it on. It was a rerun and I wanted to hear it again, while I cleaned cabinets. I was taking Premarin for too long and decided to try something else. I went with the Black CoHosh and it didn't so a thing for me. Didn't have night sweats, but kept having hot flashes throughout the day. Quit taking those and now I'm trying something called New Phase. It seems to work pretty well so far.

[DianaB]

Keep us posted, Judy, on how things go! {{{{{Hugs}}}}}

[2tiredmom]

As always your in my prayers along with the others. Keep us posted.

[gja1000]

Judy, the EKG will take about 5 minutes to run. The Echo will take about 20-30 minutes to run, and the x-ray will only take a few minutes. Of course, I don't know how long it will take to wait to get those done. The cardiac consultation to see if you can take the stress test, will probably depend on the x-ray, EKG and the Echo. I don't think they will run the stress test (if you are able) because those things usually have to be scheduled in advance - but maybe they can go ahead and do it. The stress test will take about 30 minutes - or longer if they decide to do a chemical stress test.

Most stress tests are done with you exercising (treadmill) while hooked up to an EKG machine. But some people who can't exercise, like my husband, have to take a chemical stress test. They give you drugs to speed up your heart, like would happen during exercise. Those tests take longer to run.

I think you will be fine - yes, it probably will take a couple of hours to get everything done, but hopefully, they will be quick!

[judy]

Judy, the EKG will take about 5 minutes to run. The Echo will take about 20-30 minutes to run, and the x-ray will only take a few minutes. Of course, I don't know how long it will take to wait to get those done. The cardiac consultation to see if you can take the stress test, will probably depend on the x-ray, EKG and the Echo. I don't think they will run the stress test (if you are able) because those things usually have to be scheduled in advance - but maybe they can go ahead and do it. The stress test will take about 30 minutes - or longer if they decide to do a chemical stress test.

Most stress tests are done with you exercising (treadmill) while hooked up to an EKG machine. But some people who can't exercise, like my husband, have to take a chemical stress test. They give you drugs to speed up your heart, like would happen during exercise. Those tests take longer to run.

I think you will be fine - yes, it probably will take a couple of hours to get everything done, but hopefully, they will be quick!

You are so good Gayle! I really appreciate your knowledge so much. Thank you!:1luvu:

[Mandy]

Keeping you in my thoughts Judy *Hugs*

[gja1000]

You are so good Gayle! I really appreciate your knowledge so much. Thank you!:1luvu:


You are so welcome - Gary and I have been through a million of these tests - well, maybe not a million, but it feels like it!! :)

[Gina]

Judy I normally run a BP of 110/60 the last time I went it was 130/62 like yours, I was very nervous and the dr. didnt say it was bad. So attribute it to aniexty I bet with all that is going on.

I too have a slight heart murmur and years ago they told me that I had mitral value prolapse actually it was the nurse who told me .. long story short the heart dr. at the time told me that I didn't have it...

Fast forward to last year , if you remember when I was at the gym I got very dizzy when I got off the thread mill and my dr. sent me for an ekg walking on the thread mill. The results were fine, but the person giving me the test saw a slight heart mumur and I was suppose to go back for an echo.. never did.


Your going to be fine , I am sure don't get nervous....

[judy]

Judy I normally run a BP of 110/60 the last time I went it was 130/62 like yours, I was very nervous and the dr. didnt say it was bad. So attribute it to aniexty I bet with all that is going on.

I too have a slight heart murmur and years ago they told me that I had mitral value prolapse actually it was the nurse who told me .. long story short the heart dr. at the time told me that I didn't have it...

Fast forward to last year , if you remember when I was at the gym I got very dizzy when I got off the thread mill and my dr. sent me for an ekg walking on the thread mill. The results were fine, but the person giving me the test saw a slight heart mumur and I was suppose to go back for an echo.. never did.


Your going to be fine , I am sure don't get nervous....

Go for that echo Gina!!! I'm sure you're fine, but I am a firm believer in taking care of your health, although I don't care for a lot of doctors and all of the silly tests they send you for.

[gja1000]

Fast forward to last year , if you remember when I was at the gym I got very dizzy when I got off the thread mill and my dr. sent me for an ekg walking on the thread mill. The results were fine, but the person giving me the test saw a slight heart mumur and I was suppose to go back for an echo.. never did.


Gina, go for the echo - it's a very easy test - not as quick as an EKG, but you just lie on a table and they smear some gel on your chest and then use a little metal thing to rub around your chest to do the echo - it's like the thing they use to find the babies heart rate when you are preggers. It takes about 20-30 minutes and then the doctor will read it. It would be worth doing, just to be sure everything is OK.

I think everyone should have heart tests - there is so much that can be done to fix heart problems, medication included. If you leave heart problems untreated, then that is when you have real problems. Even untreated high blood pressure can have severe complications.

So, GET THAT ECHO, Gina.

[judy]

I'm fine!!!

Went for the EKG, etc. today and my heart checked out fine. I have a slight leaky valve, but nothing to worry about.

Thank goodness for that! Good health is such a gift. I am always so grateful, and so relieved, when I get a negative on a mammogram or a pap smear. I am just as grateful today.

Jessie went with me, which was so good.

Just got home, so I'll be back on tomorrow.

[gja1000]

I"m so happy to hear that!!! Many many people have a slightly leaky valve, but it causes absolutely no problems - you fall right in there with them!

It's really good to get it checked out though and be on the safe side. You can't be too careful with heart issues!

[DianaB]

I'm glad to hear that everything's alright and now you have peace of mind about it. I'm so glad that you checked it out.

[Tiramisu]

My heart is happy that your heart is healthy!

[judy]

My heart is happy that your heart is healthy!

That's such a sweet way to say it! Thank you all.

I have to laugh. The technician who did the echo told me that everybody has a slight leaky valve. Something about the fact that if the valve was completely closed, blood could not flow through. This is true, but since I never had an echo before, I don't know if it has gotten worse or ever was there. The doctor said that he didn't hear or see any evidence of a heart murmur at all, and that the valve would not be giving me any problem. He also said it would not be what is making me tired.

I have to go back in 6 months for a checkup. I also hare to go for a Thalium stress test next week, so I will glow in the dark because thalium is radioactive.
Here's the thing though - my doctor wanted me to have the stress test to check my heart function. The cardiologist found my heart to be okay, but wants the stress test because I smoked for many years.

Since I have already stopped smoking for the past 15 years or so, there really is not much to be done. I will go because it is good to have these tests at my age
just as a baseline, but if I had to pay for this, I wouldn't go.

I go see my doctor next week. She did blood tests. I still don't know why I have no energy. It's probably anemia, thyroid or stress is my guess.

I am very glad I got all these tests and that I'm finished with them. Thank you all so much for your wishes.

[Janet]

I'm finally here long enough to read all the threads. Sorry I'm so late Judy! I sure am happy everything is okay. I honestly don't think I could take it if something were wrong. You're such a good friend and I love ya lots!!

[Lindsey]

Judy, I'm so happy everything turned out to be normal! :)

[Blueyes]

I'm doing the Happy Dance for you, Judy :bunny::bunny::bunny::bunny::bunny:

[donna1990]

I am so happy for you.