Doctor says I have a Bicupsid Aortic Valve?

Question

A week ago my doctor orderd a Sonargram for my heart. I am only 19 , turning 20 soon. He told me that I had a Bicupsid aortic valve instead of a Tricupsid valve. He also said due to this I had a minor leak (sonargram reader noted this), which he said he couldnt hear himself. He said that this isnt a major problem, but should just excersize more, and take Antibiotics when I go to the dentist. I am working on a biology major, so I know what these tearms mean. He also said it could lead to a problem in the future, but that it isnt a high chance of that happening. What I am wondering is, if anyone her has any experience with heart trouble due to a bicupsid valve, ofcourse for when I get older, I would like to know what to expect could occur. Thanks

Answer 1

http://www.med.umich.edu/cvc/mchc/parbi.htm
http://www.clevelandclinic.org/heartcenter/pub/guide/disease/valve/youngvalve.htm
http://circ.ahajournals.org/cgi/content/full/106/8/900
http://www.netdoctor.co.uk/ate/heartandblood/201655.html

Wish you the best health.

Answer 2

My 21 yr old son also had a sonogram which identified a minor mitral valve prolapse which as you know is the valve between the left ventricle and the left atrium.He is not leaking,however,that is a possibility in the future.He does have chest pains at times when he is stressed out and he does not gain weight easily.There really is nothing you can do at this point but of course in the future if you develop leaking and regurgitation to the point of becoming symptomatic then you may consider having a valve replacement.Of course as with anyone else you want to remain heart healthy and have regular physicals and sonograms.Hope this is of some help.Try not to worry because worry will not change a thing.You should also be under the care of a cardiologist.

Answer 3

Get a fourth opinion! Echocardiogram can also be done as 'esophageal endoscopy' it is called TEE= transesophageal echo, and is one of the best way to assess the valve function. Do you have any other symptoms? You don't need anything called angioplasty, it is for coronary arteries. Whereas something called valvuloplasty is for valves, but only if they are "stenotic" =tight, so they may be able to be treated this way. Sometimes there is no other way than replace the valve in an operation. Angiogram is good too, something called LV angiogram =left ventricle angiogram can also be used to see how well the valve functions. So my advice is find another specialist, maybe they can recommend what to do and the TEE and angiogram are routine in many hospitals (at least here in the UK). Where do you live? You could e-mail me if you have any questions at all.

Answer 4

My father just got an artificial valve put into replace his aortic valve... I am sure this is what future surgery you would have if you ever needed it. He has a St. Jude's Valve. Because of it, he has to take Coumadin (a blood thinner) everyday. It is aggravating, but he is still here, so medication everyday isn't that bad...

You have 4 valves in your heart...

-Tricuspid- 3 valves (carries oxygen depleted blood from your body back to your heart...)
-Pulmonic-2 valves (carries oxygen depleted blood from your heart to your lungs)
-Mitral/ Bicupid- 2 valves (carries oxygen rich blood from the lungs to your heart)
-Aorta- 3 valves (carries oxygen rich blood from your heart to the rest of your body)
Bicuspid means 2 flaps... Tricuspid mean 3 flaps.

Antibiotics are used with dental work due to the risk of infection. All of us are at risk for infection with going to the dentist, but with someone that has some form of heart defect, or abnormalitily, or bad valves, the risk for infection is too great to not use something preventative. Any infection can get in your blood stream and go to your heart. Obviously, this isnt good.

I am sure you will do fine... Just the leaking of the valves will probably be your only problem... however, you have lived nearly 20 years with this problem and been fine, thus far. Just do the heart healthy things... exercise, eat right, no smoking, get regular check ups. Stay positive. Good luck!

Answer 5

Since your aortic valve lacks one of the flaps that close it, the seal may be compromised allowing for backflow of blood into the ventricle(this is called regurgitation). The backflow makes a noise called a murmur. Any disruption of bloodflow around a valve can lead to bacterial growths when bacteria are in your blood--which may happen when you get your teeth cleaned at the dentist--thus the need for an antibiotic before your apppointment. I personally have not had any trouble.

Answer 6

Well, the leakage could get increasingly worse, which could lead to stroke (the blood will not flow properly and the blood will have a chance to coagulate). Maybe valve replacement surgery in the future?I am not a doc, but I was diagnosed with heart disease at 20 (it runs in the family) and I think that catching it early was a salvation for me, my heart was able to correct itself. Have echo-cardiograms regularly, might want to talk to your doctor about taking an aspirin a day.

Answer 7

my oldest son who is almost 9 yrs old was born with one.........thank god we new at birth he gets it checked evry 3 yrs by a cardiologist for leaking.......i think you shoud get a second opinion about the leak.......if it's bad enough and not caught it could kill you..........high blood pressure in later years is all i was told would be a problem when he is older but if the valve leaks it could have to be replace.........which would of course mean open heart surgery........so you never new about it before?

Answer 8

I have heard of this but only your doctor can tell you what the future hold for you. I would imagine it depends on the general health of the person effected.

Answer 9

what