Expert: Dr Ian Jackson - please note UK based - 2/2/2010

Question
I am due to have a discectomy and facetectomy but have had to have my operation postponed because at the pre op I was told the heart murmur I have (which I've known about for 20 years) will need to be tested again before I have the op.  Can you tell me what the dangers are and as I've had no problems in the past will I be ok for a general.

Answer
Hi Shirley
Sorry to hear that your op has been postponed. If you have known about this murmur for 20 years and have had no heart problems then it is unlikley to be an issue. I assume they are sending you for an echocardiogram - they use ultrasound to look at your heart and check how the blood flows through you heart valves.
I am sure it will be fine but it is impossible for me to go through the dangers as it depends on where the murmur is coming from. Certain heart valve problems can be quite dangerous especially if the anaesthetist has no info about how severe they are.
Bottom line is that this is most likely not a clinical important murmur but at the end of this at least you will know for certain.
Kind regards
Dr Ian Jackson