Just diagnosed with moderate mitral regurgitation

I am 72 years old, 6'2" and weigh 205 pounds. My resting heart rate is around 55 and I ride a bicycle rain or shine or heat from 1030 to 1230 every day.

As long as I can remember, I've had "palpitations", maybe a few in a year, but 3 weeks ago, beginning on Friday afternoon I started having a few over a 2 hour period, followed by a 3 hour pause. This continued over the weekend and Monday morning I went to a CareNow. They did a blood panel and ECG. The bloodwork showed nothing abnormal but the doctor said something about "bradycardia", but I've been riding a bicycle 100-150 miles a week for the last 15 years, so she said my heart rate is unlikely an issue.

I was told that I need to see a cardiologist. My PCP referred me and 2 days later I had another unremarkable ECG , and given a treadmill stress test that showed "early" beats, and I was given a Holter monitor to wear for 72 hours.

Three days later, I was given an echo-cardiogram, the following day I was given a nuclear stress test. Finally, 3 days later I was provided with the results. The cardiologist said the nuclear stress test showed no blockage but was only about 85% accurate, but the echo-cardiogram showed "moderate mitral backflow".

Right or wrong, the only reason I went to CareNow in the first place was because I was riding in a cycling endurance race (Hotter N Hell 100 in Wichita Falls. TX) and it seemed wise under the circumstances. He told me I was ok to ride but only give 70% and avoid pushing my heart rate over 150.

I asked, other than that, I am generally free to do what I want physically, and he said yes, but have another echocardiogram in 1 year and contact him immediately if "anything changes" or go to the emergency room if I need to.

I asked him what "moderate" meant and he said "I wouldn't worry about 'mild' and if it was 'severe' I would suggest more aggressive treatment, but your backflow is moderate." He didn't quantify "moderate".

I still feel a little in the dark, uncertain if I should be more concerned. He said "this is generally good news" but I don't feel that way.

Thanks in advance for any thoughts or observations.

Steve