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Is The Mitral Valve Condition A Result Of Atherosclerosis?
Question: Hi ~ I am 73, and in very good health. LDL is 70, total LDL/chol. ratio is 3. CRP less than 5, etc...I went and saw a cardiologist about 3 months ago who told me she heard a faint murmur. The last echogram I had was in 2015....it showed mild calcification of mitral annulus ring (trace only), but everything else was fine. I went today and had another echogram done: heart function = excellent; tiny leak of aortic valve. Mild thickening of mitral annulus ring but cardiologist only said to keep an eye on it, and that it was nothing serious. Ejection fraction = 65%.
My question is: is the mitral valve condition a result of atherosclerosis? Or aging? And is a faint heart murmur anything to be concerned about? And, does the echo show any blockages in the heart arteries? She did not appear concerned today.
Thank you!
My question is: is the mitral valve condition a result of atherosclerosis? Or aging? And is a faint heart murmur anything to be concerned about? And, does the echo show any blockages in the heart arteries? She did not appear concerned today.
Thank you!
Brief Answer:
I would explain as follows:
Detailed Answer:
Hello,
Regarding your concern, I would explain that the mild thickening of the mitral anulus is just a normal physiological change due to normal aging.
It is not related to atherosclerosis.
Regarding any blocked arteries, you should know that the cardiac ultrasound is not the best tool to examine the blood flow in the coronary arteries.
For this reason, I would recommend performing an exercise cardiac stress test.
Hope you will find this answer helpful!
Kind regards,
Dr. Iliri
I would explain as follows:
Detailed Answer:
Hello,
Regarding your concern, I would explain that the mild thickening of the mitral anulus is just a normal physiological change due to normal aging.
It is not related to atherosclerosis.
Regarding any blocked arteries, you should know that the cardiac ultrasound is not the best tool to examine the blood flow in the coronary arteries.
For this reason, I would recommend performing an exercise cardiac stress test.
Hope you will find this answer helpful!
Kind regards,
Dr. Iliri
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
But then what does an echo show? Are my results good?
Does not an echo show the blood flow in the heart> If there were blocked arteries, would that not affect the heart's blood flow? If the doctor says the heart function nd the blood flow is is excellent, then it stands to reason that the arteries are ok too? no?
I can only perform a MIBI test since I have neurogenic claudication. I have no symptoms at all, only a faint heart murmur.
Does not an echo show the blood flow in the heart> If there were blocked arteries, would that not affect the heart's blood flow? If the doctor says the heart function nd the blood flow is is excellent, then it stands to reason that the arteries are ok too? no?
I can only perform a MIBI test since I have neurogenic claudication. I have no symptoms at all, only a faint heart murmur.
Brief Answer:
Opinion as follows:
Detailed Answer:
Hello again!
Your cardiac ultrasound results (mild mitral annulus calcification and tiny aortic valve leakage) and the faint heart murmur do not seem to be concerning, they are common findings in individuals of your age.
Through echo it is possible to visualize several cardiac structures such as myocardium, valves and blood flow quantification, pericardial layers, large blood vessels (aorta, pulmonary artery, large veins), but it is not possible to visualize those small coronary arteries (inside cardiac muscle).
In addition, cardiac ultrasound may give clear evidence of regional myocardial contractility in the case of myocardial infarction.
Coming to this point, considering your echo report, it may be concluded that no significant cardiac abnormalities are present.
Whether any further provocative test is necessary, it will depend on your clinical symtomatology.
In case you experience chest pain a cardiac stress test would be an option suitable for you.
But, if you remain totally asymptomatic, then you just need to properly control your coronary risk factors (blood lipid levels, hypertension, potential smoking contact, glucose metabolism abnormality, etc.)
Let me know in case of any further questions.
Wishing you a pleasant weekend!
Regards,
Dr. Iliri
Opinion as follows:
Detailed Answer:
Hello again!
Your cardiac ultrasound results (mild mitral annulus calcification and tiny aortic valve leakage) and the faint heart murmur do not seem to be concerning, they are common findings in individuals of your age.
Through echo it is possible to visualize several cardiac structures such as myocardium, valves and blood flow quantification, pericardial layers, large blood vessels (aorta, pulmonary artery, large veins), but it is not possible to visualize those small coronary arteries (inside cardiac muscle).
In addition, cardiac ultrasound may give clear evidence of regional myocardial contractility in the case of myocardial infarction.
Coming to this point, considering your echo report, it may be concluded that no significant cardiac abnormalities are present.
Whether any further provocative test is necessary, it will depend on your clinical symtomatology.
In case you experience chest pain a cardiac stress test would be an option suitable for you.
But, if you remain totally asymptomatic, then you just need to properly control your coronary risk factors (blood lipid levels, hypertension, potential smoking contact, glucose metabolism abnormality, etc.)
Let me know in case of any further questions.
Wishing you a pleasant weekend!
Regards,
Dr. Iliri
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
Thank you - that was a super answer...My glucose is 5.5. Thank you so very much - in other words, I should just continuing doing what I am doing. I may take a mibi test after all, just to be safe.
No more questions. I can rate you now Doctor. Have a great weekend!
No more questions. I can rate you now Doctor. Have a great weekend!
Brief Answer:
You are welcome!
Detailed Answer:
I am glad to have been helpful to you!
I would just encourage you to follow a healthy lifestyle ( a healthy diet, a lot of physical activity, avoid smoking or alcohol) and closely monitor your blood pressure values.
Regular check ups with blood lipid profile, fasting glucose are necessary too.
Hope you will find this answer helpful!
Wishing good health,
Dr.Iliri
You are welcome!
Detailed Answer:
I am glad to have been helpful to you!
I would just encourage you to follow a healthy lifestyle ( a healthy diet, a lot of physical activity, avoid smoking or alcohol) and closely monitor your blood pressure values.
Regular check ups with blood lipid profile, fasting glucose are necessary too.
Hope you will find this answer helpful!
Wishing good health,
Dr.Iliri
Note: For further queries related to coronary artery disease and prevention, click here.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Remy Koshy
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