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My doc sent me to have an ECG and found I have an extra leaflet (I think most people have 3; I have 4), so there is leakage due to the valves not closing properly. I never would have known, as I feel great. There's no pain or anything. The only symptom I experience is, sometimes when I have the flu or am exhausted, I hear this whooshing sound in my ear.
The thing that is frightening is that my doc said there is no way to tell how long it'll be before the leaflets begin to wear out!! Oh my gosh! So, I could be driving and then all of a sudden they just...give out??
Not that I want to have chest pains or dizziness, but not knowing can be...disconcerting. Anyone know much about this?
Thank you!!
I was diagnosed with aortic valve regurgitation about a year ago after my internist detected a rather loud heart murmur and sent me to a cardiologist, who detected it with an echocardiogram. He told me that he would have to monitor me every few months and that I would need an echo about every 6 months to see where I'm at. Some of the symptoms I've experienced are edema (mostly my legs and ankles), dizziness (on occasion and not recently), occasional angina (now under control due to a switch in BP meds), and most recently some fluttering and irregular heartbeats. I generally feel great, though I have noticed that I have to pace myself a lot more than before. I've also noticed that I am not handling the hot weather this summer nearly as well as did in the past. Not sure if that's related or not.
What concerns me is the possibility of sincope, or passing out. I fear that happening while I'm driving or home alone and smashing my head on the ceramic tile. I do try real hard no to think about stuff like that, though, as stress isn't good for the heart!
By the way, I was told that things could go bad rather quickly, or I could never need the valve replacement surgery.
I urge you to take the best care of yourself possible, as I was warned that the valve replacement surgery is a "big deal."
Oh wow!! I'm so sorry you have to deal with that. I'll have to look up edema...not sure what that is. But yep, I can definitely identify with some of your symptoms, especially fluttering/irregular heartbeats. And yes!! I have such a hard time with the extreme heat (especially living in TX), the humidity has my body soakin' wet. Thought I was just being dramatic. LOL!!
I fear passing out too. I work around children, and I'm more scared of fainting because of them. I mean, what will happen to them? Or driving, where others are put in danger.
mia25, edema is swelling and water retention. My ankles have been swollen for a few years now -- even before my diagnosis.
I was originally on a BP med that had a diuretic in it, which the cardiologist took me off of because it was having a negative effect on my heart problem. He prescribed Lasix to have on hand but would rather I didn't take it except when absolutely necessary.
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