Heart Failure Support Group

I haven't been told I have "leaky heart valve" but in my twenties, I was told Mitral Valve. I DO have CHF though (so they say). I hope your doctor or someone who knows more on this can help you but I DID want to reply to your post
(no one responded to mine either) so thought I'd at least respond to you. So sorry to hear this and best of luck to you. :)

Sorry, just saw this. I have had a leaky heart valve for at least 10 years now. They found it a long time ago and nothing more was said. When they found the CHF, they also mentioned he "slightly" leaky valve again. I told them that was there years ago and they said obviously it isn't hurting you. In other words, I was told much the same thing you were years ago. It's there, but don't worry about it.

Isnn't that the part of the heart that was damaged when people took phen phen? I think it is, cus I tested positive for minimal mitral valve damage from that. Isn't that right, or am I having a mental moment??? LOL!

I have a leaky valve... but it might also be because it "opens backwards". My doctor is a pediatrician, so tries to tell me things in plain layman terms... so I have no idea what the medical babble term would be called.
I was supposed to have surgery to replace it, a couple years ago. But along with other deformed things of my heart, they decided that it was too risky. So I just gotta live with it.

I am 43 and was diagnosed w/ two minor leaky heart valves. Doctor told me that I can still work out and lead a normal life w/ regular check ups w/ an echo every two years. However, I am so freaked out and worried, that my mental state is deteriorating. I am trying to be positive as a leaky heart valve is very very common. Do you get palpitations?

When they first told me about the "leaky" valve, I did nothing about it. Blew it off and went on with my life. And the doctors said it was nothing. And when they found it again a couple months ago, the doctor asked when they first told me about it. When I said it was at least 15 years ago if not more and it hasn't changed, the doctor said...no big deal then. Pretty much what I said in my first response.

Did you have annual echos? How did you get over the initial shock and sadness and constant worrying? This is where i am now and it's awful. They said my two valves had only minor leaks and to get on with life. I am trying, but it's hard. Any tips? Do you work out?

When my doctor told me years ago about the leaky valve I did nothing and went on with life. As they said then, no big deal. When they found it again a couple months ago...they told me since nothing seems to have changed...don't worry about it. If they told you to get on with your life and gave you no restrictions..then do it. Exercising, eating right and doing what you can to stay healthy is the best thing you can do. I didn't listen 15 years ago when they told me to take care of myself by eating right, exercising and doing "healthy" things. So, 15 years later I have congestive heart failure. So....get on with your life.

When my doctor told me years ago about the leaky valve I did nothing and went on with life. As they said then, no big deal. When they found it again a couple months ago...they told me since nothing seems to have changed...don't worry about it. If they told you to get on with your life and gave you no restrictions..then do it. Exercising, eating right and doing what you can to stay healthy is the best thing you can do. I didn't listen 15 years ago when they told me to take care of myself by eating right, exercising and doing "healthy" things. So, 15 years later I have congestive heart failure. So....get on with your life.

OK...You are right JoAnn, some leaking mitral valves can be caused by many different things, one of them being the phen phen drug, which is my case. Ihave Pulmonary hypertenstion and the leak in the mitral valve was regurgitating back into the lungs causing me great hardship to breathe. It was decided that I get a new mitral valve, by open heart surgury , which Ihad done last year 2007 in March. I still have not healed and it has not helped the pulmonary hypertension as hoped, so we march on..... and enjoy what we can every day. Joanne :)