Am I crazy?

• By Antigone
• Reply 3503941
• October 31, 2012 at 9:56 am
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First of all, everyone has mild leakage of the tricuspid valve. I asked my surgeon about that mine reviewing some old echo reports, and he said everyone has it, so I would not be concerned about that at all.

What surgery was your pre-op clearance for? It sounds like you had an echo since you know valve status and EF; however, an echo is not the most reliable test. With the signs of SOB and lethargy, your aortic and/or mitral valve may be in poorer states than the echo indicates. I would ask your cardiologist, in light of how you feel, if a TEE or cardiac cath would be the next logical step to determine just what the status of those valves actually are.

I was tired for about 2 years before I had my aortic valve replaced. SOB did not come about until about one year before. SOB is either cardiac or pulmonary. It's not normal. If it's not from you heart, then you should get a pulmonary evaluation.

• By sweetfastheart
• Reply 3506350
• November 1, 2012 at 11:19 am
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HI,

I am 29 and have been diagnosed with a bicuspid valve and svt for almost 8 years. I have always felt the racing of my heart and wondered why I couldn't run like everyone else until then. I have felt the chest tightening feeling for about ten years now, but I have always been told nothing looks to be causing that, maybe just stress...which I don't count out but it seems my doctor tries to pin that on most of the symptoms I get. The last year or so I started getting dizzy and visual disturbance spells. My blood pressure has always been low and with the medicine I take for my heart, it lowers it a bit more. This summer I was told my blood pressure has gone up, but I am still getting the dizzy feeling and visual disturbances to the point I will have to stop in my tracks and sit down wherever I am or I will fall. Is that the type of feeling you are talking about? It happens out of nowhere, sometimes with heat, even in Alaska, if i had too many layers on, or walking through the mall, or even in the shower. Since I started getting the feelings, more than a year ago, I have made sure to eat enough, not drink too much caffeine and to keep a somewhat healthy diet but my cardiologist still insists there is nothing (more than what already is) wrong. If this is what you were/are feeling, have you heard anything about how to help it, besides laying down, getting a cold compress, or drinking ice water?

Thanks and I hope you start feeling better and getting answers. I know how frustrating it can all be.

• By LizQ
• Reply 3511039 · In reply to 3503941 by Antigone
• November 3, 2012 at 1:13 am
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Thank you for your reply. The feeling is heart racing, warm all over, sometimes accompanied with lightheadedness and the visual disturbances. The doctor performed an ultrasound on my carotid artery and everything is fine. I am at a loss. My BP is normal to low. I hope you feel better.