heart problem

[v.hemmings]

How long can you live with a leaking mitral valve? Does anyone out there have any facts or have you lived with such a problem?

[McMouse]

Mine has been leaking for 11 years. In the last few months it's started to cause me problems such as breathlessness and fatigue and I'm due to to have it repaired/replaced in the next few weeks.

[Sqad]

You can live ALL your life......until your are 90 years old with a leaking mitral valve.
You can play tennis, golf and live a normal life ...with a leaking mitral valve.

So what is the rub?

If the left ventricle of your heart starts to complain about the extra work that it is doing in dealing with a "leaky valve" then surgical intervention may be necessary.

How do I know if the left ventricle is complaining?

Because it starts to get bigger.

How do I know if it is getting bigger?

ECG, chest X-Ray, ultrasound and MAYBE.intra oesophageal studies.

Good luck and you to McMouse.

[carlton23]

Mines been leaking for about 10 years and as I`m 76 and got another valve (Aorta) replaced in 1973 and got Diabetes and Big C, I can`t see the point of worrying about it any longer. Oh happy day`s......

[midagetrolop]

Mines been leaking for over 15years - keep having an ultrasound every so often - no change! Doesn't affect me in anyway.

[LoftyLottie]

Am just curious. How do you know you have this in the first place if it doesn't cause any problems.

[Sqad]

Lofty...it is picked up routinely, when the doctor listens to your heart with a stethoscope for perhaps a routine medical..........................lo! and behold! he hears a heart murmur.

[LoftyLottie]

Oh a heart murmur. I see now. Ta

My dog had a heart murmur. He lived happily and was full of life until he died at 15!

Thanks Sqaddy!"

I realise that lots of people have heart murmurs.

[Sqad]

Lofty...LOL.....I have one when I think of you ;-)

[LoftyLottie]

Reminds me of a certain Peter Sellers/Sophia Loren song!! ;o)

[Sqad]

Lofty........I remember that........"well goodness gracious me"

[McMouse]

LL.....in my case had a heart attack 11 years ago followed by angioplasty and stents. Have all the tests sqad mentioned on a regular basis and any changes are monitored. Recent tests have shown need for valve repair also by-pass surgery to relieve the fatigue and breathlessness. Three years ago and not showing any adverse issues was fit enough to cycle over the Pyrenees and a couple of other mountain ranges for 19 consecutive days covering 550 miles. The moral of this story is that you can live a completely active life despite having some underlying health issues provided you seek advice if you notice any performance issues.

[LoftyLottie]

McMouse, Mr LL had a major heart attack two years ago followed immediately by angioplasty and stent (within 1.5 hrs of heart attack) Is looking fitter than ever now.

Two of our friends have had bypass surgery in the last couple of years, one quadruple and one fivetruple(don't know the right word)!!!

They both look fighting fit!

I wish you all the best!! xx

[v.hemmings]

Thanks to everyne who replied. I have had all the usual tests echocardiogram, x-rays and angiogram and have been refused an operation by one surgeon as I also need a tripe or even quadruple by-pass at the same time. But I do hae chest pains at night especially and I am very breathless. I am trying another surgeon for a second opinion in two weeks time. Feel I am between the devil and the deep blue sea - live a half life or rick the operaion? Vera hemings

[LoftyLottie]

I wish you all the luck in the world Vera.

Best wishes.

[guilliebrougues]

my mother in law had a leaking heart valve and lived to be 86 years old.