I have a leaky heart valve

[judy]

Originally Posted by gja1000

Dear Judy,
Leaky valves can be nothing serious or they can need fixing, but please do not stress about it till you know more.

I'm betting that your mom had rheumatic fever before she developed the valve problem, correct? Rheumatic fever damages the valve, so if she had the fever before she developed valve problems, that is what caused it.

Or if she had a leaky valve and then had rhumatic fever, that is what made her valve problem worse. Almost everyone who has rheumatic fever has valve problems and if they get old enough, they need to be fixed.

So, try not to worry, till you know more!

My Mom had untreated strep as a child, which led to rheumatic fever, and then heart damage. . She had surgery, but the rheumatic fever really did her in, and she smoked on top of it. She actually died from emphysema. I allowed her doctor to do an autopsy on her heart since she was one of the first to have open heart surgery. He also had kept her alive for over 20 years. He told me that there wasn't enough heart tissue to examine! What a will to live she had.

I know I don't have anything similar, but because of my experience with my mother, the whole idea frightens me. I have also only been in a hospital once as an in-patient, and that was to have a baby.

Jessie is coming with me, and I'm lucky that I have an appointment on 4/27.

I'm still scared, but I'm not going to panic. I just need to know what's up so that I can deal with it. I was diagnosed with a heart murmur years ago, and went right to my Mom's cardiologist. He told me that I do not have a heart murmur, and that the doctor's stethescope was probably broken. My internist also listened to my heart every time I went, and never found anything wrong. I was there less than a year ago. I know I haven't been walking around with something that can damage my heart for a long time.

Anyway, I don't even want to have to take medication. She also told me my BP was a bit high - 130/62. I don't think that's high enough to worry about.

I think I'm so low energy because I'm anemic. My bottom eyelids are not showing any red.

[gja1000]

You may have a murmur that comes and goes. actually one that can be heard sometimes and not heard at other times. (i'm using my daughter's netbook computer and the shift key is too hard to use, so no caps). that kind of murmur is not at all serious.

they will likely do an ekg, and an echocardiogram. neither are invasive and don't take much time. you'll do fine.

i agree with yoou, your lack of energy is likely anmeia rather than anything heart related.

any blood pressure that is consistenly above 120 (on the top number) (and above 80 on the bottom number) is cause for concern and should be treated. the word consistantly is the key. you should get an automatic bp cuff and take it at home 2-3 times a day and see what it is over time. it has been suggested that high blood pressure, even a little high, can damage the white matter of our brain (among other things) and cause mental changes as we age. they wont treat a bp of 130/70 unlesss the top number stays above 120 all the time

[judy]

Originally Posted by gja1000

You may have a murmur that comes and goes. actually one that can be heard sometimes and not heard at other times. (i'm using my daughter's netbook computer and the shift key is too hard to use, so no caps). that kind of murmur is not at all serious.

they will likely do an ekg, and an echocardiogram. neither are invasive and don't take much time. you'll do fine.

i agree with yoou, your lack of energy is likely anmeia rather than anything heart related.

any blood pressure that is consistenly above 120 (on the top number) (and above 80 on the bottom number) is cause for concern and should be treated. the word consistantly is the key. you should get an automatic bp cuff and take it at home 2-3 times a day and see what it is over time. it has been suggested that high blood pressure, even a little high, can damage the white matter of our brain (among other things) and cause mental changes as we age. they wont treat a bp of 130/70 unlesss the top number stays above 120 all the time

Thanks Gayle. I should have taken a BP cuff when I retired from teaching! We had some in the science room. I'll see if the drug store has a cuff.

[Blueyes]

I'm so sorry that you are having problems! Remember that your blood pressure might be a little high due to the stress of the situation. Good luck, and keep us updated.

[gja1000]

The drugstore should have a cuff, for sure. I just bought a manual cuff at walgreens for 15.00. If you don't know how to take a bp manually, then get an automatic cuff. It will cost a little more. It is something everyone should have just to check their own bp every now and then, or frequently, if there is a problem.

Many people have white coat syndrome, where the bp is higher in the office, even in the absence of stress or anxiety - we have no clue why it happens to some people. Others are stressed and anxious about being in the dr. office.

Anyway, if you think you might be having a bp problem, then you should be checking it at home. High blood pressure can cause so many problems, and it is so easily treated!!!

[Mandy]

Try not to panic, there is so much they can do these days, i hope you get results soon, it will ease your mind.
Keeping you in my thoughts and prayers always!!

[Forgivenmom5]

Judy you will be in my prayers. When I first suspected I had cancer I went online and that is one reason I didn't go to the doctor. I really thought it was hopeless so I have learned not to rely on the internet for medical information. Maybe this will be simple to treat and you will feel better soon.