Mitral Valve Stenosis

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Met with my former

Met with my former

cardiologist this morning to discuss my echo tape.

Bottom line - his words, "You are doing well, the regurgitation is trace to 1+, meaning not very much, and the stenosis is from your repair." The stenosis has not gotten worse in two years and the cardio believes the mitral valve area was the same size probably right after my surgery.

This cardio (who is older and supposedly very wise) said he has not seen a repair need replacement because of stenosis - he said it is not the same as stenosis from rheumatic fever. I asked him about that (which is question posted here a lot) - if my mitral valve damage was from rheumatic fever or congenital and he said my MPV is congenital and that there is no sign of rheumatic fever - so obviously they can tell what the valve is damaged from.

He said my heart shouldn't be stressed from the small valve area, which is a fear of mine, i.e. my heart will work harder to push that blood through.

My husband went to the appointment with me so he could hear what the doctor said and could remind me of the GOOD - I have a tendency to hear the "iffy" things and dwell on them.

He said to get checked yearly and "congratulations on your great repair."

I can't say I am 100% reassured about the stenosis, as I have found out from many sources that stenosis does happen after valve repair - too much stenosis that is.

One source told me to cut down on my calcium supplementation and the doc today told me to cut way back on my salt intake - saying "You should cut back on your salt intake because of the mitral stenosis, uh, er, the stenosis from your valve repair." He saw the look on my face when he said that and rephrased his words. :D

This doc said that cutting back on calcium probably wouldn't do too much, but hey, I will do whatever.

And yes, the biggest thing is to not stress - I know that - I need to enjoy life - each day, each moment! And to laugh more!

But, as Scarlett O'Hara said, "Oh fiddledeedee, I'll think about that tomorrow." There's the answer to all my questions and fears - to just not think about them!

Thank you all for your well wishes and concern. It means a lot to know that there are people who emphathize and care.

Christina L
 
Sounds like a great report, Christina- hope you can concentrate on the adoption plans now!! Motherhood may be stressful, but it is a good kind of stress!
 
Hi, Christina,
my sons heart defect is congenital, he never had rheumatic fever, is mitral valve was repaired and became too tight, he now as mitral stenosis and we have been told it will need replacing, they are trying to hang on until he is a teenager so they can use a adult size valve. maybe each case is different, i only know what we have been told. I'am glad you got a good report. I hope you are feeling better and can relax a bit now. wishing you all the best for the future. Paula x
 
Thank you all -

Thank you all -

and Paula, yes I think every case is different for sure. That is a problem that (I) personally have - of reading things here on VR.com and then NOT believing my doctors because of things I read here. I do believe that a cardiologist who has been in practice for years and years should know a bit more than the lay person.

Anyway....thanks all and I'll think about this "tomorrow"! ;)

Christina L
 
Christina -

I hope you feel better after the good report. I read your thread with interest as a fellow mitral repair. Sometimes I think these days we all know too much (or can find it out), maybe not but I wonder. Nobody told me of the risks of OHS with my rheumatic fever back in 1971, I mean, not that there really *was* much OHS back then. But, I lived for all these years happily ignoring it and raising 2 wonderful boys who are now teens. OK, so it hit me like a ton of bricks when I learned that rheumatic valves don't last forever, but I would not have wanted to feel doomed every day either.

I hope you proceed with the adoption and enjoy every minute with the child as s/he grows. Life is too short and we can't effectively plan it all out.

I was just reminded today when the PTA for both son's schools sent around a note that 2 kids, one in middle school and one in high school had lost their mom in a fatal traffic accident as she crossed a busy road on the way to Friday services a few days ago.

I only relate this because you don't have to have heart problems to have bad things happen, suddenly turning your life upside down. Heck, if I need a second or third OHS so be it, I survived this one, until then I'm enjoying my time here on earth!

I wish you all the best,
Ruth
 
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