Raryel's Journal

Adam Pick  Beautifully said Raryel!!! You just made my day with this quote. When I started this website, I never imagined so many great people would connect here to share their stories, support each other and inspire a new perspective on our collective journeys to healthy hearts. Thanks for being a new member of this community!!!!! Adam (patient and website founder)

Raryel Souza  Maybe a better way to word it would be..."Although all sharing some 'brokeness' in our physical hearts, the spiritual heart of the members here is healthy and warm, not broken at all"

Susan Lynn  Raryel- Those are pretty significant symptoms. It sounds like your regurgitation might be severe. In the meantime, try not to exert yourself. Once I was diagnosed, my cardiologist restricted my activity. I think I'd request the stress test and your physician will have a better idea of your condition. Best of luck! ❤

Susan Lynn  Raryel - I'm wondering if you had a stress echocardiogram and/or a transesophogeal echo (TEE). My regurgitation was barely detectable when I was at rest, but with exertion it was diagnosed to be severe - my stress echo made it especially obvious - my cardiologist announced "You need surgery!" as he watched the screen. If you haven't had these tests, it might be a good idea, otherwise, it might be time for a new physician. There are different approaches about when mitral valve repair surgery should be done, but most methodologies in the US favor sooner rather than later. Best of luck to you!

Raryel Souza  Very helpful comment Susan... I actually wondered that my regurgitation may be actually bigger when I had symptoms or exert... during the exam I was completely asymptomatic and at rest for a long time in the hospital for my appointment showing a result of mild regurgitation. I will talk to the doctor about stress test echo... Really thanks a lot!!!

Susan Lynn  Glad I could be of assistance, Raryel. Please don't hesitate to reach out if you have any other questions. There are many mitral valve repair and replacement folks on this site and we're happy to help you! All the best!

Alex Sigalov  Hi Raryel, i had same similar symptoms as u except for dizziness, but needed my aortic valve replaced, ask for TEE to be done becase for me that looked alot worse than echo was showing, in my opinion your body is better predicter than some test and at some point it becomes a quillity of life question just to maybe squeeze out couple of extra years for bad valve in my opinion is not worth it especially if u getting it replaced with mechanical. Best of luck to you and hope you're feeling better

Rose Madura  Yes, I would definitely reiterate your symptoms to your cardiologist and ask for tests to be done. If you are not satisfied, I'd get a second opinion.

Raryel Souza  In the last couple of days I was feeling a bit better (but I was also not doing much physical work), but today I was overconfident about it... Went on doing a lot of extra cleaning work at home and organizing stuff around. It was just gasoline to the fire... with the extra exertion the symptoms of shortness of breath, palpitations and dizziness just came out from hiding to the point I had to lay down. Later I badly stand up without feeling super dizzy and almost falling. Waiting for my appointment on Monday... if my valve leakage was really just mild, as shown on rest echo, I should not have so many symptoms...