Joanne Donovan - Heart Valve Journal

My Journal

15 hours ago

Hi everyone,
I was diagnosed with Mitval Valve Prolapse at age 16 after having knee surgery. I didn’t follow up with cardiology check ups because I was ...Read more

Hi everyone,
I was diagnosed with Mitval Valve Prolapse at age 16 after having knee surgery. I didn’t follow up with cardiology check ups because I was told it wasn’t serious. Now, at age 55, after radiation treatment for two different breast cancers, I thought my tiredness and shortness of breath was due to cancer, but was referred for an Echo. It showed mild mitral valve regurgitation and mild trsicuspid valve regurgitation. I have a follow up appointment in two weeks. Has anyone else here had two different leaky valves? I’ve also been coughing. Not sure if it’s related. Do two mild leaks make a more serious situation?

Ana Brusso Hello Joanne, welcome to our website. So sorry you have gone through so much with your health. My reg ... Read more

Ana Brusso Hello Joanne, welcome to our website. So sorry you have gone through so much with your health. My regurgitation and eventually two open heart surgeries were from my aortic valve and aorta aneurysm. I’m not sure how to answer your question, but I’m sure some one will in this website can. Praying for you and a successful outcome. God bless you 🙏❤️

Douglas Merten I’m surprised your cardiologist hasn’t given you some insight. There is other important informati ... Read more

Douglas Merten I’m surprised your cardiologist hasn’t given you some insight. There is other important information from the echo including changes to heart structure such as left ventricle or atrium size. My mitral valve regurgitation is now severe with bileaflit prolapse and moderate tricuspid valve regurgitation. I have no symptoms but echo and TEE showed my heart structure starting to change. Heading for surgery next month. Tricuspid in my case resulting from the MR. It took a second opinion and getting a TEE to get an accurate diagnosis. Everyone is different. My sister has had mild MR for 30 years and it hasn’t progressed. Make sure you are confident in your diagnosis.

Joanne Donovan Thank you, Ana and Douglas. My first cardiologist appointment is coming up 1/13, so I’m looking for ... Read more

Joanne Donovan Thank you, Ana and Douglas. My first cardiologist appointment is coming up 1/13, so I’m looking forward to learning more. The echo was done in September, so I’ve just been waiting for this appointment. Just reading the echo results myself and without one to compare it to but it says the size is normal. I’m so glad to hear that your sister’s mild MR hasn’t progressed! I’m very grateful for this community.