mitral valve regurgitation

I did some research before my surgery, five years ago, and at that time, a mitral valve could only be repaired via front open heart surgery because of its placement in the chest.
I found knee surgery (I had severed ligaments) to be way more painful and debilitating.
Good luck. I wish you the best.

HI. I see a dr. about this for the first time this Friday. I got the report from my general dr. who found a heart murmur and sent me for echocardiogram. Had a receptionist call me to tell me to call a cardiologist.... so I'm just researching on my own. I was hoping that severe didn't automatically mean front open heart surgery and replacement. I am hoping it can be 'repaired' from the side.

Thank you for that! I also had a knee replacement and could not take any opiods....all i could take was tylenol...it was soo bad.. Can you guess and let me know how long it will be for me to be able to take care of myself? Like walk around or drive. I live alone and would want to come home asap ....but am i fooling myself thinking i could take care of myself after a few days?

I had AFIB, severe left atrial regurgitation (mitral valve not opening properly), no comorbidities. Valve problem caused it all; the valve problem was caused by a dental procedure that led to a gum infection, that went to my heart valve. It’s not that uncommon from what I understand.
Everyone is different, but here is my experience for what it's worth. I had mitral valve repair, ablation, and LAAC at 78, two years and 6 months ago. No more AFIB (it can work permanently). I exercise and eat smartly (low in calories, sugar, salt, and caffeine). I got off of Eliquis after four months by wearing a heart monitor for 30 days to be sure AFIB was gone. I had to push my cardiologist to put me on the monitor. My last vital stats while sitting were 119/68, heart rate 68. I have also weaned myself off of 12.5mg metoprolol daily and 81mg aspirin daily. I Read a recent JAMA article that said low dose aspirin causes brain bleeding over time. Now it is recommended only for stroke and heart attack victims as I understand it. I have also read that metoprolol interferes with sodium and sugar levels. Too low an amount of sugar or salt can cause dizziness as I read it. Vitals and alertness are better than ever. Daily, I do take a magnesium glycinate supplement containing 29% of RDA. Pure Encapsulations is the best brand I have found. I have read that magnesium and moderate exercise help folks to stay out of AFIB. I had a great surgeon at WakeMed in Raleigh, Dr. Boulton, who did all of the heart stuff. That was key of course. He also supports magnesium supplements. Overall, I feel extremely fortunate.
Regards,
Sagan

I had AFIB, severe left atrial regurgitation (mitral valve not opening properly), no comorbidities. Valve problem caused it all; the valve problem was caused by a dental procedure that led to a gum infection, that went to my heart valve. It’s not that uncommon from what I understand.
Everyone is different, but here is my experience for what it's worth. I had mitral valve repair, ablation, and LAAC at 78, two years and 6 months ago. No more AFIB (it can work permanently). I exercise and eat smartly (low in calories, sugar, salt, and caffeine). I got off of Eliquis after four months by wearing a heart monitor for 30 days to be sure AFIB was gone. I had to push my cardiologist to put me on the monitor. My last vital stats while sitting were 119/68, heart rate 68. I have also weaned myself off of 12.5mg metoprolol daily and 81mg aspirin daily. I Read a recent JAMA article that said low dose aspirin causes brain bleeding over time. Now it is recommended only for stroke and heart attack victims as I understand it. I have also read that metoprolol interferes with sodium and sugar levels. Too low an amount of sugar or salt can cause dizziness as I read it. Vitals and alertness are better than ever. Daily, I do take a magnesium glycinate supplement containing 29% of RDA. Pure Encapsulations is the best brand I have found. I have read that magnesium and moderate exercise help folks to stay out of AFIB. I had a great surgeon at WakeMed in Raleigh, Dr. Boulton, who did all of the heart stuff. That was key of course. He also supports magnesium supplements. Overall, I feel extremely fortunate.
Regards,
Sagan

Hi @catsunn, I was in the hospital for two weeks due to fluid buildup, a common complication, following open heart surgery. I was also caregiver to my husband who has Alzheimer's Disease, but was highly functioning at the time. Upon our return home, I was able to look after the both of us with some help from friends.
For me, the restriction on driving was 6 weeks. I've read that that's been lifted, and reduced to two weeks, but my nephew just had open heart surgery and he was given the same 6 week restriction.
You don't want to do anything too strenuous that could open your chest.
I was also given a 10 lb restriction for lifting, but because I am very small, I lowered it to 3 lb for myself.
I had some friends that took me grocery shopping or picked up groceries for me, drove me to appointments, etc.
Clean your place, do laundry, etc., if you can, before surgery. Line up some friends who can help you out. Plan on having ingredients for preparing simple meals or get in a supply of frozen meals. Maybe you could sign up for Meals on Wheels if it's available.
Your local senior center may be able to provide some assistance in your home, or you can get the number of a reputable agency just incase you need more help.
I was encouraged to walk and was walking soon after surgery. I was told I need to walk 3 miles a day everyday for the rest of my life. (I've since had an autoimmune disorder so had to cut that back, but I do walk 25 minutes most days and use a rebounder). I did have Afib for a while, took meds for that and wore a heart monitor for 10 days.
At the time of surgery, I thought of myself as a raw egg that could easily crack. Then I progressed to coddled egg, soft boiled, and finally returned to my old hardboiled self. I think of my experience with open heart surgery as My Life As An Egg. No other surgery made me feel so fragile, maybe because the heart is the center of our being.
Depending upon how your surgery goes, you could probably care for yourself in a limited fashion to what you're used to and with the support of some friends.
If you're going to be totally on your own, maybe consider one of those monitors that hooks up to a help/emergency services network.
Take care.

So sorry you had fluid buildup and spent 2 weeks in hospital....but glad to hear you are back to your hard boiled self....:) I decided to bother my sister who lives in a different state and ask her to spend a month with me....she happily said yes.. so i'm glad i won't be alone now that i'm reading all the consequences that could happen. It is scary being the heart...and i hope i can live a normal life expentancy. Thanks for sharing....

Hi there ! I was just diagnosed with this and it also wakes me up at night , thank you so much for sharing your symptoms . I would have never known this could happen , I thought it was my anxiety/panic. I was also told that it’s not severe enough for treatment but that I should be monitored every 2 years. My husband thinks I should make an appointment with another cardiologist for a 2nd opinion as it was my PCP who delivered the diagnosis . I agree.