mitral valve regurgitation

Posted by mikena @mikena, Jul 13 11:23am

I had an echo cardiogram Thursday 7/11 and don't have my appointment with the cardiologist until 7/24. This is the result on my mitral valve. It has been 2+ for a long time and suddenly changed. I am having symptoms including shortness of breath when laying down (it wakes me at night, swelling in my feet, slight chest pain, extreme tiredness and fatigue. I sent a Mychart message to my doctor and got an auto-reply that it could take up to 9 business days to get a response. Is this considered a medical emergency?
MITRAL VALVE
There is moderately severe (3+) mitral valve regurgitation due to an indeterminate
mechanism. There is no thickening. Regurgitant orifice area (PISA) is 0.38 cm².
The pressure half time is 49 msec. The peak mitral E/A ratio is 1.50. The average
mitral E/e' ratio is 7.0. The mitral flow deceleration time is 168 msec.

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ladydia | @ladydia | Jul 13 12:51pm

I think if these are new symptoms these warrant someone to speak to at the Doctor’s office.
I would call speak to a medical person regarding all the new symptoms you are having.
Hopefully they will give you an appointment sooner.
I am so sad it seems our medical community is so busy it takes so long to be seen.
Wishing you well

gloaming | @gloaming | Jul 13 4:11pm

Highly unlikely to be an emergency, although if you feel really unwell, and can't rest or be calm, then you should take that as your clue and seek medical help urgently. At the very least you might be prescribed Atavan or something like it to help you to calm down enough to get rest and to enjoy life. But mitral regurgitation is virtually never a sudden thing; it evolves over months, years even. It can be repaired, so please be patient and be optimistic. That, really, is your best medicine right now.

Teri | @tsc | Jul 14 2:40pm

Hi @mikena, I was diagnosed with a severe mitral valve prolapse and regurgitation after being referred for an echocardiogram due to a heart murmur that a doctor heard when I went in for carpal tunnel syndrome. I never had any symptoms, but was told when I experienced shortness of breath, etc. I would need a mitral valve repair and to let the cardiologist know immediately.
A new cardiologist on the scene gave me the option of choosing surgery sooner vs. later so I did. That was five years ago. You should let your doctor know you are experiencing these symptoms as others have suggested, and if you really feel unwell, seek Emergency care.

mikena | @mikena | Jul 14 4:37pm

The original message I received back on MyChart said to allow "72 business hours" for a reply? 9 work days? Seems like an obscure reply. So I called their nurse on call and they suggested I go to the emergency dept. I was admitted yesterday and am currently waiting for transport to another regional hospital in the system that specializes in heart procedures and am scheduled for a heart cath tomorrow.

gloaming | @gloaming | Jul 15 3:14pm

You will get great care, constant monitoring, and you'll have answers very soon. Thanks for reporting back with an update. We pull hard for all our posters here who present problems and who need reassurance or information. You're no different. 😀

mikaylar | @mikaylar | Jul 16 7:53am

I had mitral valve prolapse surgery 3 years ago and it went well. No real pain, just hurt and ache. It was well worth getting it over with so it doesn't progress.

dcain01 | @dcain01 | Jul 18 8:50am

I have had mitral regurgitation for two years and recently experienced severe shortness of breath & weakness. My echo showed an increased ejection fraction and they have now diagnosed CHF. You may want to call & schedule an appointment before it gets more serious.

ladydia | @ladydia | Jul 18 9:24am

I have had cardiologist appointment & University appointment the tricuspid is the valve they are working on researching at this time. I was told they would not do anything at this time.

mikena | @mikena | Jul 18 6:11pm

In reply to @gloaming "You will get great care, constant monitoring, and you'll have answers very soon. Thanks for reporting..." + (show)

I was transferred last night to a 3rd hospital in the system and am currently scheduled tomorrow for a mitral valve repair or possibly replacement and probably a double bypass. Dodged a big bullet. LAD is 95% blocked and circumflex is 98% blocked.

gloaming | @gloaming | Jul 18 11:44pm

Yikes! I'm happy to see you upbeat and replying...given what they found. Take care!

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