Hi folks, I have pulmonary hypertension as a result of mitral valve leakage (inside the heart) and it’s getting worse this summer, apparently. I’ve been having increased fatigue, occasional lightheadedness and ankle swelling during the day, and shortness of breath at night, all signs of worsening pulmonary hypertension. I’m probably going to have to have cardiac mitral valve repair soon. Sometimes they can do it by a minimally invasive procedure through an artery in the thigh, like when they place heart stents, but it could require open heart surgery. It’s strange - I can walk or ride my bike ten miles without trouble, but the symptoms I related above are getting worse. And it takes me longer to recover from exercise or running my chainsaw, for instance. Hopefully they can repair my mitral valve via the Mitraclip procedure: I had a heart attack and an open heart coronary bypass 12 years ago, with a thoracotomy (cracking open the sternum from top to bottom). If the only option is an open heart procedure I’m not going to be able do that again in my current situation, as I just don’t have the support system to recover from open heart surgery now. This too is a bit disheartening as I’ve really been trying to improve my health by diet and exercise. Advancing pulmonary hypertension without mitral valve repair or replacement is always eventually terminal. So please, in your prayers, would you be so kind as to pray for me that IF this is necessary, they can do this repair via the minimally invasive Mitraclip procedure? Thanks, Brian
This one ain’t huge, honestly, just frustrating. The physical crosses are “easy.” Its the other crosses that are most difficult. It would be a blessing to say, ‘Ok, I’ve done what I could, time for this life to be over.” But I don’t think it’s going to be that simple.
A good friend, a pro life doctor and researcher, just sent a note not to worry: “Yeah good to get it checked out..... but usually if you can exercise or bike for a while your mitral valve is still in good shape.”
Definitely. I don't transcribe as many cardiac surgeries as before, so haven't heard of "MitraClip" until now. This is wonderful, like puncture ports to pop and suck out a gallbladder (instead of a big old incision).
Yep! When I was a resident I assisted on dozens of laparoscopic gallbladder surgeries, because the general surgeons knew I could run the camera probe and anticipate where they were heading with their surgical instruments.
Praying Brian for healing. Surgeons are moving forward with minimally invasive surgeries with great success rates. Keep us posted please.
You are in my prayers every day, Brian. This craziness about not letting family in the hospital is a huge suffering for so many. My very dear friend's dad is in the hospital with a strep infection in a heart valve. The doctors say the source of the infection came from his mouth. Does this sound like MVP to you?
MVP - Mitral valve prolapse? Strep in a heart valve is essentially rheumatic fever, and can come from untreated strep throat. It can damage the aortic or mitral valve: Rheumatic fever is a bacterial infection that can cause problems with the heart's aorticand mitral valves. Rheumatic fever is caused by certain strains of streptococcalbacteria. A strep throat infection that isn't properly treated can trigger rheumatic fever. Rheumatic fever can damage heart muscle and heart valves. https://www.uofmhealth.org/health-library/uf4498abc
