{"id":18,"date":"2009-12-18T22:25:08","date_gmt":"2009-12-19T03:25:08","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.the-greathouses.net\/blog\/?p=18"},"modified":"2013-12-30T10:57:24","modified_gmt":"2013-12-30T15:57:24","slug":"heart-health","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.the-greathouses.net\/blog\/2009\/12\/heart-health\/","title":{"rendered":"Heart Health"},"content":{"rendered":"

Mitral Valve Prolapse<\/strong><\/p>\n

At 30, I was diagnosed as having Mitral Valve Prolapse<\/a> (MVP). \u00a0The mitral valve between the left atrium and left ventricle does not close properly and may “leak”. \u00a0This is a common cause for hearing a murmur when listing with a stethoscope. \u00a0At that time, I had several tests run and was told it was not an immediate concern and I should have periodic monitoring to see that it didn’t worsen. \u00a0Seeing as how I felt fine, I said “OK” and returned to my normal routine and didn’t really give it much additional thought.<\/p>\n

Then, during a routine physical in 2002, my doctor in Cleveland commented on the murmur and recommended a followup — it had been over 10 years since my original (and only) testing. \u00a0I still felt fine, but went ahead with the request. \u00a0The ultrasound showed “significant” regurgitation<\/a> (leaking), but I was still feeling good and had no related problems. \u00a0It was decided to monitor for any changes. \u00a0Again,\u00a0\u00a0I said “OK” and returned to my normal routine and was not concerned.<\/p>\n

Things Change<\/strong><\/p>\n

This summer, things changed. \u00a0I had a heart attack that required intervention. \u00a0Two stents were placed and I was put on blood pressure medication – and it was suggested I reduce my weight. \u00a0I definitely needed to lose weight as I had allowed my self to gain 60-plus pounds in the last 10 years. \u00a0It was also noted that the MVP was present and I had significant regurgitation – 3-plus on a scale of 0-4. \u00a0This would now need frequent monitoring to avoid future complications.<\/p>\n

\n
\"Self<\/a>

Self portrait from my hospital bed<\/p><\/div>\n<\/dt>\n

I was feeling good and looking forward to getting home when \u00a0my hospital stay was lengthened for a couple of days of monitoring due to a short episode of atrial fibrillation<\/a>. Like the MVP, I was asymptomatic and unaware of the atrial fibrillation.<\/p>\n

After I was back home, I began making necessary changes to my diet. No more “convenience” foods from the freezer section at the grocery store. \u00a0I enjoy cooking, so I started fixing all of my meals with consideration for heart health. \u00a0Low sodium does not have to be low flavor. \u00a0This part was actually easy. \u00a0I also started back with my bicycling. \u00a010-20 miles to start and then up from there. \u00a0I was feeling great!<\/p>\n

A few weeks after my discharge, I entered the cardiac rehabilitation program at Cleveland Clinic<\/a>. As part of the process, they do a baseline stress test on a treadmill<\/a> to determine your cardiac health and physical limits. \u00a0An exercise program is then designed around your individual needs. \u00a0This test did not go too well… before I was even tired, they made me stop. \u00a0Seems that I went into atrial fibrillation on the treadmill and did not even realize it. \u00a0After a short interval, my heart rhythm returned to normal.<\/p>\n

The return to normal was good, but the episode itself was a cause for concern. My medications were adjusted and I was put on blood thinners – to lower the possibility of a clot forming due to the fibrillation. \u00a0OK. \u00a0I can deal with this also… Only problem is the medications are targeted at controlling my heart rate and this makes it more tiring to ride my bike. \u00a0I can deal with it, but it is not fun.<\/p>\n

Rehab was going great and it was time for a followup with the cardiologist and another stress test. \u00a0Again, I went into atrial fibrillation, but was feeling fine and was completely asymptomatic. \u00a0This time, they let me continue on the treadmill to see if I developed additional symptoms. \u00a0No. \u00a0I continued without feeling there was a problem for another 2 stress levels.<\/p>\n

After reviewing the test results, my cardiologist and I started discussing the future. \u00a0The MVP would cause progressive problems and eventual congestive heart failure<\/a> (CHF). \u00a0The atrial fibrillation may be controlled by drugs and would require me to remain on blood thinners (warfarin) as long as it was present – and it would not \u00a0go away on its own. Of course the CHF was 5, 10, maybe 15 years in the future, but it was the definite outcome.<\/p>\n

I had two options open to me. \u00a0Surgery to repair the mitral valve<\/a> or continuing as I am and monitoring for changes. \u00a0While monitoring, I would continue on the same or more medications and the only outcome would be future surgery. \u00a0This translates to actually only have one decision to make. \u00a0When do I want to have surgery?<\/p>\n

Decision Time<\/strong><\/p>\n

I decided to do some research of my own and it supported my cardiologist’s view.<\/p>\n