← Return to Physical limitations with Leaky Valve

Discussion
ficklefinn avatar

Physical limitations with Leaky Valve

Heart & Blood Health | Last Active: Oct 26, 2025 | Replies (23)

Comment receiving replies
Profile picture for susanejw @susanejw

@jlharsh Hi Janell, I’m a 73 year old woman, fit and thin. My issues have gradually increased over the past seven years or so. First labile high blood pressure, tachycardia, and partially clogged arteries, for which I used beta blockers and then statins. I noticed my diastolic blood pressure was usually low, even when the systolic was high, so a heart cat scan revealed the leaky valves. Then a stress test indicated a blockage, so I had a cardiac catheterization a few weeks ago, which showed my arteries are only 30% blocked, so they said I must have coronary microvascular disease. I’m very interested in talking with to others with CMD, and I have some specific questions. I live in a rural area, and I don’t know whether my cardiologists are up to snuff.
Is CMD caused by plaque, or by malfunctioning blood vessels?
And, does having CMD increase my chances of having a heart attack or stroke?
I try to walk slowly about 2 miles a day, but lately I’m often doing less, and I don’t know if I should push myself beyond my comfort zone. Hills are always a challenge, usually causing shortness of breath and faintness.
Is small vascular disease systemic? Could it be causing memory problems?
Thanks for noticing my comment. 🙂

Jump to this post


Replies to "@jlharsh Hi Janell, I’m a 73 year old woman, fit and thin. My issues have gradually..."

I can learn a lot from you, @susanejw. Thank you for your comment.

I am going to look a bit at discussions and see what I can find. In the meantime, if you haven’t already you can go to the box at the top of Connect home page and type words you want to search for. Also, here are resources I found:
- Mayo Clinic CMD treatment: https://www.mayoclinic.org/medical-professionals/cardiovascular-diseases/news/expanding-the-possibilities-of-treatment-options-for-patients-with-coronary-microvascular-disease/mac-20581614
- Small Vessel Disease Summary: https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/small-vessel-disease/diagnosis-treatment/drc-20352123
- American Heart Association CMD Overview: https://www.heart.org/en/health-topics/heart-attack/angina-chest-pain/coronary-microvascular-disease-mvd

I have never heard of labile high blood pressure. This is the 2nd time in a couple of days. Would you check out this discussion https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/labile-hypertension-how-to-improve-it/

I am interested to learn what you find out. I love you questions and will learn, myself. Will you come back and comment? Hopefully, @ficklefinn will have an update about pushing activity levels as well.