mitralvalveprolapse

[lissagirl]

I have been diagnosed with mitral valve prolapse, I am 26 years old. I have had a murmer all my life and irregular heartbeat from time to time. I was planning on going to nursing school this fall but now I am faced with what to me seems like a fairly big decision.

The delimma is that my cardiologist after doing a TEE and seeing that my leak is what he terms as severe is urging me to have surgery to repair or possibly replace the valve in order to avoid *future* health issues like enlarged heart and general weakening of the heart muscle....

I am in no way asking a "professional opinion as you all are not cardiologist or surgeons to my knowlegde but I would like to hear some any thoughts on the matter and also I would like to know if anyone else has had this condition which is fairly common and has anyone on the board gotten their valve repaired. If so did you feel significantly better? I have a lot of fatigue and the doc says he feels its related to my condition and I should feel better after I recover.

Thanks, Lissagirl

[formernurse]

Before you have surgery, might I suggest that you go and have a second opinion. I have MVP, also, but mine is asymptomatic most of the time, and have not ever had to have medication or surgery for it. This is just a suggestion. I wish you the best of luck.

[fedupnurse]

lisagirl, definetly get a second opinion! Maybe even a 3rd. I can see your docs point but valve surgery is a huge deal and at 26 I'd wait if I could. You'll possibly have to be on anticoags depending on the type of valve you would get. If you get a mechanical valve you will hear your heart beat across the room. Is your fatigue possibly related to lack of regular exercise and a suboptimal diet? Many people, myself included, have MVP. It is actually quite common. I went to nursing shool with a girl who has gone into chf a few times from her valve. You could hear her murmur before your stethescope was even on her chest. So, I'd get another opinion and then decide on the surgery, please go to the best possible place. You'd be amazed at how they play witht he numbers to make programs look good! Ask each doc where would you go if you needed to have this surgery done?

Good luck and let us know what happens!

[teeituptom, BSN, RN]

Howdy Yall

From deep in the heart of texas

1> MVP affects like 20% of the populace

2> get a second opinion

3> we will pray for a speedy rcovery for you

[sharann, BSN, RN]

Oh God please get a second opinion. I'm not saying to ignore a true need for surgery, but at your age I think another two opinions would be indicated first.

Take care.

[RN2B2004]

lisagirl,

I was diagnosed with MVP when I was 21. I had an echo and it showed no leakage at that time. I'm now 37 and I have minimal symptoms thanks to taking Atenolol 25 mg daily. I too am starting nursing school next month and this was also a concern of mine. Do you find you have anxiety attacks with the MVP? Best of luck to you! I suggest you have a second opinion.