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You are here: Experts > Health/Fitness > Medical Specialists > Heart & Cardiology > mitral valve symptoms
Expert: David Richardson - 11/8/2009
Question
Hi, My husband had endocarditis due to a bacterial blood infection. He now has a "leaky" valve. He sees a cardiologist twice a year and he told him he doesn't need to go on meds despite racing heart beat and extreme weakness that can go on for several hours and happens at least once a week. The doctor told him unless he faints he'll just have to live with it. My husband is a captain/owner of a commercial fishing boat and works extremely hard year round. Today he had to come in from offshore and leave his gear which he never does, due to pounding, racing heart, light headedness, and debilitating weakness. He never, ever leaves his gear. He wouldn't let me take him to the e.r. because of what is cardiologist said. He is sitting down and resting and pale, quiet and heart is still pounding/racing and it has now been six hours or so. He is only 53 years old and up until this infection was extremely active. I guess my question is, is the cardiologist right, does he just live with this? If so, what risk is he taking? Thank you
Answer
Dear Joanne,
I wouldn't live with it until every possibility has been looked out.
How fast does his heart beat when it's racing? If over 120 at rest or if it's irregular, he should have an event monitor, a little box he carries with him that records his EKG a few minutes before and after he pushes a button on the box to indicate that his heart is racing. IF he can be sure the heart racing occurs every single day, a Holter monitor, which records his EKG for 24 hours, would do and is cheaper. Ask the doctor what his echo shows, particularly what his left ventricular ejection fraction is and how leaky his mitral valve is.
If his ejection fraction is over 45% and his valve is very leaky, it should be replaced. Artificial valves are excellent nowadays. If his ejection fraction is less than 35%, he'll probably need his whole heart replaced. Between 35 and 45, the situation is tricky, but replacing the valve may help.
Please let me know the answers to all those questions, and of course write back if you have more questions.
David Richardson
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