Hi Char. Sorry I missed this a few days ago! That is most excellent about your children, I know you are relieved by that. I recently got a copy of the echo report from my daughter's screeening (the one I paid cash for
) and while the cardio was kind enough to read it gratis for me, and file the report, she called and spoke to my daughter last summer,not to me. My daughter (18) didn't really listen (not understanding half of what she said, probably) so I only knew that the echo was normal. Well, that was enough for me. But then I get the report and the cardio closes her summary by recommending that my daughter be treated prophylactically each time she goes to the dentist!!
Our PCP looked it over and said not to worry about it, but I'll have to ask the cardio about it eventually. Darn! Sure wish I could read those echos better!! We have no idea what made her say that!!
Another thing. When I spoke to the surgeon last monday, I asked him his opinion of the heritability of BAV. He said that his understanding is that while it is certainly possible for it to be inherited, and in fact it does run in some families quite prominently, the likelihood is not substantial enough to make it high risk. He used a term which I promptly forgot, but meant that it was definitely a tendency, but not a sure thing by any stretch. So that is why they wait for the murmur. Not good enough for me. I want to know for sure, as you did.
So. Good for you for pursuing that and now you can rest peacefully at night (at least until they are teenagers!!
or maybe they already are, I've forgotten!)
Incidently, I love my beta blocker. I had PVC's that were out of control. I didn't even realize that that's what a palpitation was. Once it had a name, they drove me nuts and got worse. Now (knock on wood) they are gone, gone, gone. My valve is in worse shape, so I'm starting to huff and puff abit more, but the complete exhaustion that wreaked havoc on my day to day from those palpitations is gone. You should keep at it with your cardiologist until you have some relief from whatever is bothering you.
All right then. Keep us posted!
Marguerite