#Symptoms of Mitral Valve

[struggling-to-find-home]

Me: *gets my test in which I am supposed to give a diagnosis to a patient*

My patient: *Has ALL of the textbook symptoms of TWO DIFFERENT HEART ISSUES, a bunch of general symptoms that can be attributed to both of them, and a HEART ATTACK in history, which can cause one, but not the other, but both of them can lead to each other, and there's literally ZERO INDICATION which one is the main one*

Me: WHAT AM I SUPPOSED TO DO WITH THIS?!!?!?!!!

[feverdreamsandlucidnightmares]

God I swear I’m not trying to be all doom and gloom talking about my health I know it’s annoying I just really need a break and everyone irl is already done with my shit bc I’ve been too anxious to go back to the doctor bc the last one told me I’d just have to deal with it and potentially get more surgeries and I’m 23 dude. It took nearly 3 years before my doctor even agreed that that surgery was necessary and it didn’t even fully fix my shit it just lessened the pain — which I’m grateful for, don’t get me wrong! But I haven’t had full limb function in my left arm since I was 15 and they made it sound like the surgery would fix it and then acted like I was overreacting when it didn’t. And my left leg has been deeply fucked for nearly as long, and at least slightly fucked at least since I hit double digits, and has gotten progressively worse. So like I know, I get it that I need to go to a doctor, but why would it go better now? What’s going to make a doctor take me seriously now?

I want to be angry, but I’m too tired.

[flamefatalis]

I’m glad I was able to get an appointment with the cardiologist tomorrow because even as I type this, my heart is fluttering and I can’t breathe right.

[drraghu1]

[thebibliosphere]

Hey Joy, this isn't a question so much as a way for me to convince myself I'm not a hypochondriac, lol. Lately, I've been experiencing symptoms of fatigue, brain fog or memory issues, light-headedness, etc, that are uncommon for my age (30). I have related disorders such as anemia, anxiety, & ADHD that may be contributing to these symptoms, although they seem to have gotten worse or appear more frequently now than when I was initially diagnosed with those disorders. My work allows me to read & interact with disabled people with rare diseases, so I often find similarities with their medical issues. At first, I thought this was all just burnout or something related to the lockdown during COVID. I just saw my doctor and had blood work done to check my levels, and I may have a heart condition (tachycardia, mitral valve prolapse). I've fallen asleep at work before because I can't keep my eyes open, even after a full 8 hours of sleep. I can get dizzy from standing up too fast & can't seem to be on my feet for very long without discomfort & pain (I used to work retail, how did I ever do it?). I've researched some of my symptoms and found ME/CFS and POTS as possible conditions. Do you think it's a possibility I have these, or is it just my anxiety? Thank you! (P.s. Hunger Pangs is on my tbr!)

I obviously cannot tell you with any certainty what is wrong--and I am glad you are seeing doctors about it already and may have possible answers wrt tachycardia and the mitral valve.

What I will say is that there are many types of dysautonomia, of which POTS is one, and that what you are describing sounds very familiar to me as someone with two known types of dysautonomia.

The fact that this is hampering your quality of life to the point where you fall asleep at work, are unable to stand without getting dizzy, and are experiencing chronic pain, is enough of a reason to pursue further testing for things like dysautonomia and, yes, possibly even ME/CFS though given your history of anemia, I'm inclined more toward dysautonomia because the two often go hand in hand.

Also, it is normal to feel anxiety experiencing these types of symptoms. Even if it turns out to be a symptom of your anxiety, doesn't make the experiences any less real and debilitating, and you deserve treatment that will help improve your quality and comfort of life. And there is treatment and things you can do that will make you feel better. Getting your anemia under control should be a top priority if it isn't already. Mines was allowed to go untreated for years until we found out my iron anemia was being caused by pernicious anemia (b12 deficiency), and the iron anemia I'd been plagued with since birth suddenly cleared up.

Years and years of blood transfusions and infusion treatments, and the whole time I needed b12. Who knew? Certainly not my old doctors.

Anyway. If your symptoms are at the point where you are recognizing yourself in things like POTS? It's time to pursue that with your doctor. Don't put it off because you think it's not that bad or others have it worse. Everyone deserves to feel well.

Good luck.

[themiscyradobermans]

Myxomatous Mitral Valve Disease vs Dilated Cardiomyopathy (Part 1)

Hope you are ready to do some learning today! I didn't want to bog down Nadia's post too much so I figured I'd do something a little more in depth, separately. I also hope that the information here might help anyone seeking information about either disease. Might want to go and make yourself a drink and/or a snack because this will be a long read.

What is MMVD? Myxomatous Mitral Valve Disease also called Degenerative Mitral Valve Disease is the most common cardiac disease affecting dogs. It is an acquired disease (aka "adult onset") that is most typically seen in small breed geriatric dogs. It is characterized by a progressive thickening of the Mitral valve, which is the valve on the left side of the heart - in other words, the valve that connects the left ventricle (LV) to the Left Atrium (LA). The thickening results in it becoming more rigid and overtime it loses the ability to close properly, causing a leak (or regurgitation) from the left ventricle to the left atrium. Over time, the valve has a tendency to become so fibrinous that the leak becomes more important with time, and for some dogs with very advanced MMVD the valve may not even really close much at all anymore.

Because of the leak, over time the left ventricle and the left atrium will enlarge. When the left atrium becomes severely enlarged the patient will progress to congestive heart failure. Because of the stiffening of the valve the chordae tendineae that hold it together are also at risk of rupturing as the disease progresses. When a dog ruptures a major chord, they are at risk of an acute episode of CHF without dilation of the left atrium (because the left atrium does not have a chance to adjust or adapt to the sudden backflow) and patients in this situation will often require critical hospitalization care for 24-48 hours before normalizing. In some very uncommon or rare cases the disease can be self limiting. We have seen it in one or two patients where the dog actually improved after being in B2, with the heart reducing in size because the mitral valve thickened so much it started plugging the leak again. What causes MMVD? It is unknown what exactly causes this process. In certain breeds there is a very strong genetic, hereditary and familial component like in Cavalier King Charles Spaniels, Dachshunds, Cocker Spaniels, Yorkies, Pomeranians and others. It mostly affects small breeds, but any dog breed can get MMVD. How is it diagnosed? MMVD can only truly be diagnosed exclusively via cardiac ultrasound (echocardiography) by a cardiologist. It can be listed as a differential with the help of other diagnostic tools like x-ray, auscultation (presence of a heart murmur on the left side), age/breed of the patient and clinical symptoms (late stages). There are other diagnostic, clinical tests but they are non-specific blood tests that can merely serve to further refer out to a Cardiologist. Can you treat it? Yes. The primary treatment for MMVD will be the administration of Pimobendan once the disease progresses to moderate stage MMVD classified as ACVIM B2. Because it is so prevalent in dogs there is empirical data on it, and one in particular the groundbreaking EPIC study has helped establish very specific guidelines for the classification of Moderate Stage MMVD and the early (pre-clinical) administration of pimobendan. In order to be classified as B2 and qualify for early administration of pimobendan the dog must meet 4 criteria:

Grade III heart murmur or higher

Left Atrium/Aortic (LA/Ao) ratio of 1.6 or higher

Left Ventricle Internal Diameter in Diastole Normalized for weight (LVIDDN) of 1.7 or higher

VHS (Vertebral Heart Score) of 10.5 or higher on xray

Where an echo is not possible, in order to qualify for pimobendan, it is recommended to wait until the the VHS is equal to 11.5 or higher. What is miraculous about the EPIC study is that it offers proof that administering Pimobendan to a dog in B2/moderate MMVD will slow down significantly the progression of the disease. The median time it takes for a B2 moderate MMVD to progress to a Stage C heart failure is 766 days without the administration of Pimobendan. With pimobendan that median increases by 60% 1228 days. Once a dog reaches CHF typically the prognosis is 6-12 months post diagnosis of CHF. With pimobendan it adds about 10% overall time without clinical signs or quality of life issues. Some Cardiologists will also prescribe an ACE Inhibitor (Angiotensin-converting-enzyme inhibitors) alongside Pimobendan even while still in Moderate/B2 stage, while others will prescribe it rather only once the dog progresses to a Stage C (aka severe stage with congestive heart failure). Once the dog reaches Stage C, typically a diuretic will be added to the treatment. Management can include adjusting dosage of the medication and on occasion adding in additional diuretics, or if exhibiting new cardiac symptoms, adding additional medication. For example in large breed dogs you can see Atrial fibrillation, and in some individuals you'll also see Ventricular Premature Contractions (VPCs or PVCs which doberman people will be familiar with due to its role in DCM) so medications can be added to control these aspects too. Now what is interesting with MMVD is that there are currently two surgical procedures/interventions with very limited availability. One is an open heart surgery that is curative and consists in repairing the Mitral Valve. There is the JASMINE Animal Referral Hospital in Japan where the procedure was developed by Dr Uechi Masami, who has then gone on to train teams in the UK at the Queen Mother Hospital Royal Veterinary College as well as a team in France at HOPIA. Currently Dr Uechi is performing mitral valve repair procedures at the University of Florida in the USA, with the goal to try and train as many teams in the USA and around the world. The likelihood of this surgery ever becoming widespread or common place or even accessible to most people is fairly low, given the high demand, and how resource intensive it is both in equipment and specialized teams. The other very recent intervention is the TEER mitral valve repair, a minimally invasive procedure that consists in installing a clamp on the mitral valve to bring it back closer together and thus reduce or eliminate the leak. Can I do anything to prevent it? While there's nothing you can do to prevent MMVD from occurring, if you intend to purchase a puppy from a small breed or medium breed, especially one of the breeds known to have high prevalence of the disease, it is imperative to ask the breeder if the parents have been screened and are being monitored for cardiac disease by a cardiologist, whether that's with a yearly auscultation or a yearly echocardiogram (because MMVD is always associated with a murmur, for regular owner it is acceptable to auscultate yearly, and only do an echo if/once a murmur is heard). Ask about the pedigree also. I strongly encourage you to start screening/monitoring for it when your dog reaches 4-5 years for at risk breeds. Breeding animals should be screened before being bred and then yearly thereafter. If you are unsure whether your breed is considered at risk, you can check the recommended tests for your breed on the OFA website. If you adopt a pup from a rescue or shelter with an unknown genetic background, I would strongly encourage you to ask your vet to properly auscultate during your yearly vet visits and physical exams, and I would request a referral to a cardiologist (if required in your area, our cardiology department doesn't per se require a referral anyone can call and book) even if your dog only has a Grade I-II murmur.

[theautisticdoctor]

Entry #012

Hypermobility

A problem many autistic fellows of mine, including me, are suffering from is hypermobility. It's a underdiagnosed, underrecognized part of autism.

I personally deal with Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome (EDS), which runs in my family. My great-grandmother, grandmother, and mother all have it, and so do I. It comes with a host of symptoms: atrophic scars, mitral valve insufficiency, postural / orthostatic tachycardia syndrome, gastric motility disorder, pelvic and bladder dysfunction, extremely soft and stretchy skin, and, of course, extreme hypermobility. I can bend my joints in ways that I only learned in medical school was abnormal, and I’ve often felt like a bit of a freak during skills practices. I remember asking an orthopaedic surgeon during training why people couldn’t do 90 degrees flexion and extension with their forefeet, only to be met with confusion. When I demonstrated what I meant, the look on his face was one of pure astonishment. This highlights how different our experiences can be and how misunderstood they often are.

One of the most frustrating parts is not being taken seriously by some doctors. I’m lucky to have a medical degree and trusted colleagues I can consult, but many autistic individuals don’t have this luxury. Too often, our symptoms are dismissed or attributed to our mental health, leading us to delay seeking help until things get really bad. Please, don’t wait. The longer you put off seeing a doctor, the harder it becomes to treat your symptoms. Find a physician who listens and takes you seriously. Hypermobility doesn't necessarily mean you have EDS, but hypermobile or not, moving and living isn’t easy. Chronic exhaustion is real and debilitating. I touched on managing energy levels in entry #003 with routines based on my modified spoon theory, which I call the cutlery theory. I’ll dive deeper into this in a future post.

Living with hypermobility means constant joint pain, frequent dislocations, and early arthritis. I’ve never known a pain-free day, and overdoing it physically just makes things worse. Recovery takes time, and I’m still figuring out if physical and mental fatigue recover together or separately. Overstraining definitely not only impacts physical, but also my mental state. Not everyone can access rehabilitation programs, but there are steps you can take on your own to make it a little easier or better. Start by tracking your symptoms to identify patterns. This can help you find ways to support yourself. Working with a physiotherapist or occupational therapist is ideal, but you can also use trial and error to find what works for you. I’m always here to brainstorm and offer support.

I’m a big believer in creative therapy. One exercise is to color in a body image to show where you feel comfortable, uncomfortable, or in pain. This helps you and your healthcare providers understand your condition better and develop a personalised treatment plan.

Also, braces can be a lifesaver for dislocated or overstretched joints, even though I hate wearing them. They help prevent further injury and aid in recovery. Despite the awkward looks and comments, they’re definitely worth it.

In conclusion, hypermobility is often a comorbidity of autism. It can cause mental fatigue and chronic pain, among other symptoms. Don’t suffer in silence, but find ways to accommodate yourself and make life easier. Medication and surgery aren’t always the answers, although they can help. Awareness and lifestyle adjustments can make a big difference too. Talk to your physician, physiotherapist, occupational therapist, and fellow patients to find what works for you.

[roboticchibitan]

In the last week I have learned the following (horrifying) things about my own body

EDS related:

1. Cerebrospinal fluid leaks are common in people w EDS and can lead to meningitis

2. Excessive bleeding is a thing people with EDS often have and I definitely have it because after 20 min of tattoo touchups I still bled through the plastic bandage in 15 minutes and also my nosebleeds are impressive and last a long time and sometimes there's so much blood I cough up coagulated blood which is Extremely Disturbing

3. Mitral valve prolapse is common in people w EDS but this isn't really life threatening and the symptoms are basically the same ad POTS so this bothers me a lot less than the other 2 things

Migraine related:

1. Vestibular migraines are a thing, can happen without head OR ear pain, and might be causing my vertigo

2. Migraines can cause hot and cold temperature changes where you either feel like you have a low grade fever (me today) LR you're so cold you can't warm up no matter what you for (have had this happen too)

Every day I learn new fucked up shit about my body and I would like a break from that experience. No more knowledge. Knowledge was a mistake. Let's learn less. No more learning.

[batsbaby]

Going on a rant about how it took 20 years for them to catch I had a heart condition when I told them at 13 “my dad has this heart condition and I am having the same symptoms and I would like to find out if I also have this heart condition” and I got blown off.

Also I had multiple doctors be like “has anyone told you your heart skips/doubles beats” like Yes. I am aware. I think I have regurgitation and mitral valve prolapse. “If no one has done anything yet I’m sure it’s fine.”

And Guess What!! 🤗

[the-autistic-system]

Hi, I saw ur EDS post and was wondering what your symptoms are? I also have rather severe EDS, and I was just curious. You don’t have to tell me! No pressure :) /gen

- 🦓

Honestly it'd be easier to list the symptoms I don't have LMAOOOO but I am more than happy to share!

Head to Toe, Internal and External, here we go!

(in no specific order)

-hearing loss

-joint hypermobility and instability (both major and minor joints), limb bowing, and slipping ribs

-atrophic scarring, poor healing, and generally fragile skin (easy bruising, bandaids irritate my skin and medical tape can tear it; its also velvety to touch)

-kyphoscoliosis (i think i may also have craniocervical instability which causes its own symptoms, similar to POTS if not POTS), also i'm super short. Before scoliosis I would've been about 5'0", but it stole my height in highschool so I'm 4'8" on a good day.

-Mitral Valve Prolapse

-muscle weakness and hypotonia (also atrophy as I've been out of PT)

Now for dysautonomia, things that are indirectly caused/directly affected by my EDS

-Digestive issues like IBS-A and Gastroparesis, also GERD (fun fact: my esophagus curves with my spine 😭)

-POTS (postural orthostatic tachycardia syndrome)

-Migraines and Tension headaches in my neck (my head is quite literally too heavy sometimes)

-Osteoarthritis from severe/frequent dislocations

I usually hate trying to list everything bc it's so much that it seems fake, like I WISH I were making up the amount of stuff constantly going on with my body, it is so much some days it gets overwhelming.

I do however think it's funny to say the forces that be in the universe had to nerf me or I would have been to powerful bc I am one anarchy lovin motherfucker, but no chance I can do anything about it tho 💀

[usascripthelpersofficial]

TYPES OF HEART DISEASE

Heart disease encompasses a wide range of cardiovascular problems. Various conditions fall under the heart disease umbrella, each affecting the heart or blood vessels in distinct ways. Understanding these types can help in recognizing symptoms early and seeking appropriate treatment. This article explores the primary types of heart disease, their causes, and potential treatments.

1. Coronary Artery Disease (CAD)

Overview:

Coronary Artery Disease is the most common type of heart disease. CAD occurs when the coronary arteries, responsible for supplying blood to the heart muscle, become hardened and narrowed due to the buildup of cholesterol and other materials, known as plaque, on their inner walls. This process is called atherosclerosis.

Symptoms:

Chest pain (angina)

Shortness of breath

Fatigue

Treatment:

Treatments include lifestyle changes, medication, and possibly procedures like angioplasty or coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG).

2. Heart Arrhythmias

Overview:

Arrhythmias are irregular heartbeats. The heart can beat too fast (tachycardia), too slow (bradycardia), or irregularly. This can be due to a fault in the heart’s electrical system.

Symptoms:

Palpitations

Dizziness

Fainting

Treatment:

Treatment might involve medications, lifestyle adjustments, and in some cases, implantable devices like pacemakers or procedures like catheter ablation.

3. Heart Valve Disease

Overview:

The heart contains four valves: the tricuspid, pulmonary, mitral, and aortic valves. These valves open and close to direct blood flow through the heart. Valve disease occurs when one or more of these valves do not function properly.

Symptoms:

Fatigue

Swollen ankles or feet

Shortness of breath

Treatment:

Treatment may include medication, surgical repair, or valve replacement depending on the severity and specific type of valve disease.

4. Congestive Heart Failure (CHF)

Overview:

Heart failure, sometimes known as congestive heart failure, occurs when the heart can’t pump blood as well as it should. This can result from any condition that damages the heart muscle, including CAD, high blood pressure, and heart valve disease.

Symptoms:

Shortness of breath

Persistent coughing or wheezing

Swelling in legs, ankles, and feet

Treatment:

Managing heart failure involves a combination of lifestyle changes, medications, and possibly surgery or devices like ventricular assist devices (VADs) or implantable cardioverter-defibrillators (ICDs).

5. Cardiomyopathy

Overview:

Cardiomyopathy refers to diseases of the heart muscle. These diseases enlarge or make the heart muscle rigid and more prone to arrhythmias.

Symptoms:

Breathlessness

Swelling of the legs

Fatigue

Treatment:

Treatment focuses on controlling symptoms and may include medications, lifestyle modifications, or devices to help the heart pump more effectively.

6. Congenital Heart Defects

Overview:

Congenital heart defects are structural problems with the heart present from birth. They can involve the walls of the heart, the valves of the heart, and the arteries and veins near the heart.

Symptoms:

Symptoms vary widely and can include cyanosis (a bluish tint to the skin, lips, and fingernails), breathing difficulties, and fatigue.

Treatment:

Treatment depends on the type and severity of the defect and may involve medication, catheter procedures, or surgery.

Conclusion

Heart disease is a broad term that covers various conditions affecting the heart’s structure and function. Recognizing the signs and symptoms of these different types can lead to early diagnosis and treatment, significantly improving quality of life and outcomes for those affected. Regular check-ups and conversations with healthcare providers about heart health can help individuals understand their risks and take proactive steps towards heart disease prevention.

[lokislittlesigyn]

Hiya. Not to get too personal but as a disabled gal, you might wanna look at hypermobile EDS😊😅

Hello hello! 💙

Ahhh funny you should mention that, actually!!! 😅 I’ve been researching it for several months including trying the Beighton scale test and looking over the other official diagnostic criteria! Unfortunately a lot of it is … sort of subjective? Or untestable? Like I can’t tell if my skin is Unusually soft/stretchy or if I have mitral valve prolapse :S but I do have other symptoms that seem consistent with it and … they are getting worse :’) l want to go to the doctor so bad but don’t have insurance sooo

Thank you for mentioning it, though. Knowing others think I should look into it helps me feel better about pursuing it. :’D

[autumnbell32]

Turning in the cardiac monitor today. The report from the echo showed mild mitral valve and trace tricuspid regurgitation- which isn’t a huge deal in the present, but can worsen over time and lead to heart failure…which runs in my family. I had to press the button on the holter monitor several times for noticeable arrhythmias when I lay down at night. Waiting to speak with the cardiologist. Man I hope I’m ok. I’ve always been physically healthy. It’s the mental health I struggle with- although the heart stuff could explain the intense physical symptoms I get during anxiety. On the other hand, life sometimes surprises us with shit- I can’t be mad at my body for something I was probably born with. It has weathered me through a lot, and seeing my heart on the screen during the echo- with the tenacious little valves opening for the streams of blood, something it has done since before I was born- gave me a new appreciation for my body. All I can do is continue to take good care of it. For about a month I’ve been working with a health coach that is provided by insurance and my physical health has improved. I’m going to keep chipping away at it. I’ll be ok.

[oneshortdamnfuse]

Uh, I know I’m not a doctor and I’m not trying to self diagnose. I was directed to the HEDS diagnostic criteria, and I decided to fill it out as best I could with my limited knowledge. An actual doctor can tell me if I’m right/wrong on these but… ? This at least gives me somewhere to start?

Green = Yes; Orange = Unsure; Red = Definitely No

I definitely don’t have classical EDS, and I never thought I would fit into the category of hyper-mobile… but maybe that last part isn’t true. I was tested for POTS. Didn’t quite fit that criteria, but I was told I had “mitral valve thickening” and that I was “dehydrated.” I also have the majority of the symptoms for MCAS, but I know that’s difficult to diagnose.

I’ll ask my primary about it once I go. I still want to rule out MS because of my muscle spasms and paresthesia. I do have b12 deficiency and vitamin D deficiency, but these problems only slightly improve when I take vitamins.

I have doubts that I will fit the criteria for a HEDS diagnosis when evaluated by a doctor, but I might just be on the cusp of these things. I’ve been told things like hyper mobility, dysautonomia, and mast cell activation can be on a spectrum. Having a diagnosis or a direction to go in would be nice, because I’m having far too many flare ups to manage without any answers.

[fairybr4t]

one of the worst symptoms of anxiety (also mitral valve prolapse bc i think that’s what causes mine) are heart palpitations cuz i just woke up and immediately my heart started skipping beats and it’s sooo uncomfortable and scary i fucking hate them