Submitted by Dr T on April 16, 2013 – 12:07pm
Question:
I dont smoke, nor drink, I am 37 yrs old fem with 3 children, 2 natural births, 1 c section. have hashimotos thyroiditis since i was 20yrs at which time was also diagnosed with mitral valve prolapse and mild regurgitation “not significant”. Since then I’ve had 3 more echos , 1 said again mild regurgit , 1 was completely clear!!!! , and one last year said mild regurg in 3 valves really don’t know what to think . all echos were done in different labs. also have gerd and erosive gastritis. I exercise on the treadmill or in a stadium nearby for 30mins to an hour doing fast walks.i also live on the second floor with no elevator so i climb about 40 steps. I watch my diet, and have very normal high hdl (61) low ldl and very low triglykerides.
question today i was taking my son to the hospital for a dermatologist apptment. I climbed 53 steps and i got something like a chest pain which scared me to death!! on the way back OF COURSE it didn;t happen again so I don’t know what to make of it. no heart disease in my family. I suffer from anxiety/panic disorder with flashbacks of disturbing and intrusive thoughts ever since last year after a surgery i had where i had panic in the o.r (i was left to wait alone). anyhow, i am too scared to go to the doctors so i would appreciate your opinion.
question today i was taking my son to the hospital for a dermatologist apptment. I climbed 53 steps and i got something like a chest pain which scared me to death!! on the way back OF COURSE it didn;t happen again so I don’t know what to make of it. no heart disease in my family. I suffer from anxiety/panic disorder with flashbacks of disturbing and intrusive thoughts ever since last year after a surgery i had where i had panic in the o.r (i was left to wait alone). anyhow, i am too scared to go to the doctors so i would appreciate your opinion.
Hi Tonia,
- Most likely, the echocardiogram changes are the result of a difference in testing rather than a change in the way your heart valves are functioning. If not, it would have resulted in a change in your heart’s function. Since that was not noted, you can relax!
- Many patients with mitral valve disease are have no symptoms, even with a leak that is severe. When symptoms develop, they may include shortness of breath, fatigue, loss of energy, swelling of the ankles and palpitations (extra or skipped heart beats).
- That one episode of chest pain is very unlikely related to your heart.
Hope this helps,