Aortic regurgitation

[lukelovesu]

I found out today that I have mild-moderate aortic regurgitation. No information given just that I would need to have a follow up echocardiogram in 3 years. I’m feeling worried and a bit scared after googling 😩 I fainted after exercising last year and I get palpitations sometimes. Does anyone have any experience of this? I’ve waited 2 months to get the results back and the letter today said the results are of no clinical significance. There were some skipped beats noticed on an ecg and they recommended a beta blocker. I had an echo 15 years ago and nothing showed up then.
I have to pick my kids up from school soon, but I feel too upset to talk to anyone.

Any experience or advice would be so greatly appreciated

I’ve had it since my teens but I suffer no symptoms though. I’m on a 5 year recall for echo just to make sure it doesn’t worsen, it hasn’t really worsened over the past 15 years. It doesn’t impact on me besides when I was pregnant, even then they weren’t too worried. Sounds like they’re not overly worried about yours either!

Thank you so much for your reply. I really appreciate it and it’s helped me calm down. I’m glad it’s not progressed for you. I’m not Googling anymore x

My teen dd has mild aortic regurgitation plus another heart defect. For mild regurgitation it is 5 year recall so they are going to see you more frequently so that is good. Palpitations are common with heart valve issues. I have MVP and get them, betablockers are what is prescribed if troublesome.
What tests did they give you?

Thanks very much for your reply. How has your teen been getting on? I hope they’ve had good support and you also. Have you been worried about it? I might feel a little less anxious I suppose if I’d had some explanation about it. I’ve read up about it on BHF website. Has helped a bit. I had an echo in July and an ecg a few months before that. My echo said mild- moderate, so I’m wondering which it’s closer to! 😩🤣

The aortic regurgitation hasn't changed in 9 years but 3 years ago the ECHO picked another heart defect up. That one requires yearly monitoring as more serious and she is on exercise restrictions because of it. She sees cardiologist next week, been delayed a year because of pandemic, so am a bit nervous.

Just make sure they keep up with your follow ups and if you have any issues such as breathlessness, fatigue, palpitations do push for earlier appointment and just live your life. Lots of people have valve issues that they know nothing about so you are at advantage as it can be monitored.
My MVP was picked up as a child, always known it may get worse when i got older but you just live with it.
Worse case is you needing surgery, my mother had BAV and had valve replacement in 2008 she is still doing well.

You can speak to cardiac nurses through BHF, give them a ring. You can message me too.

Honestly, I can’t tell you how much I appreciate your reply. I will keep in mind what you’ve said about symptoms and follow up appointments.
I can well understand you feeling nervous before your daughter’s appointment. Not long until it’s here. How is she feeling about it? I hope she’s feeling ok. Sometimes children, even older ones, worry less than we do. Does she mind the exercise restrictions?
It’s good to hear that your mum is doing well and I hope you are too. You’re right. What else can we do but just live our lives? People do live with so many things. My dad is currently doing so and my fil also. I admire both of them.
I hope everything goes really well at the appointment. If you can, would you mind letting me know how she gets on xx

She is anxious and it will be a long day as it is not local hospital. The exercise restrictions have been a big issue as she was involved in competitive athletics. Yes, i will let you know.

I realise this hasn't been on for a while but was reading it as my 14 year old teen Jas mild aortic regurgitation, picked up on an echo because he collapsed in a fitness test at school. All the googling on life expectancy has me worried but we are back at the end of the month for a follow up echo and have sports restrictions. I was reading and wondering what happened in your cases? I started a new thread but didn't get any replies so it can't be that common in teenagers. Oddly his valve is normal ... but clearly leaking...

Hi, I can understand that you’re worried. I joined a facebook group ages ago and there are a lot of people of all ages with leaking heart valves in the group. They are actually pretty common and children have them too. There are people on the group who say they’ve had them their entire lives and are now in their fifties or sixties with no issues.
I did speak to a cardiologist about my results and he was not particularly fussed. I have always had low blood pressure, so he thought it likely the fainting was due to that. I had exercised hard on the day I fainted and was quite dehydrated. I also found out that a lot of teens do faint for various reasons. My dad used to a lot as a teen and both of my parents in law. After chatting to mums from my children’s school, I found out there were kids who’d fainted quite a few times and drs couldn’t find any reasons for it. Hormones, dehydration, over heating etc were possible explanations. I did also eventually have blood tests done and my electrolytes were dangerously low, so that could have been part of the issue. I drink coconut water, eat more tomatoes, bananas etc to try to keep my potassium levels up. I also have more salt to get my blood pressure up too and obviously drink a lot more water.
Is it possible that your son’s fainting and the leaking valve are not related? A mild valve leak from what I can gather doesn’t cause any issues.
If there was anything else of interest on the echo, they would have told you.
Easier said than done, but try not to worry. The hospital staff will hopefully be able to give you reassurance when you meet them next.