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Dr. Andrew Rynne
MD
Dr. Andrew Rynne

Family Physician

Exp 50 years

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Is A Wait And See Approach Advisable For An Elderly Person With Rheumatoid Heart Disease And No Symptoms?

Dear Doctor saab Namaste I am seeking medical advise along with psychological advise from you. Kindly go through this submission patiently. My wife is 74 year old. She has subclinical hypothyroidism in 2011 ,mild hypertension in 1996,Type II diabetes in 2008,AKI and pyelonephritis in March 23 (both cured)Had knee replacement in sept 23. During the preoperative procedures for surgery of the knee, routine tests were done.2 D echo was also done and the attending cardiologist told us that she has rheumatoid heart disease. She has no symptoms which are normally associated with mitral regurgitation at all in all these years either earlier or even now.Her BP , diabetes and thyroid are very much normal levels. My wife has blatantly refused to go to the cardiologist and also refused to undergo surgery or treatment whatsoever saying that she has lived her life fully and has no desire to live with health problems which may cropup after surgery at the fag end of her life.She refuses to take even a 2nd opinion in this regard. She takes Telma 40 mg, Thyronorm 50 mcg,Ecosprin AV 75,Surbex st,Amtas 2.5 mg. Since she is not having any sort of symptoms can we have wait and see approach? If she gets any symptoms in the coming years , then we will certainly go to the cardiologist. Please advise whether her stand is right or wrong and your opinion .In case if you require further clarification , please advise sir.full report sent through another email to you.Please look into that Findings in 2 D echo report Chronic Reheumatoid Heart disease Severe MR/Moderate MS/Mild TR/Moderate PAH Dilated LA No RWMA
Thu, 3 Apr 2025
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General & Family Physician 's  Response
Hi,

As she is having a no. of medical problems including hypothyroidism, hypertension, diabetes as well as rheumatic heart disease leading to mitral stenosis, mitral regurgitation, tricuspid regurgitation, pulmonary hypertension as well as dilated left atrium. Continuous follow up is necessary at least to prevent further problems.

Also, she may be asymptomatic as she is already taking the medicines for raised BP as well as for her heart condition. This does not mean that she should wait till the more problems arise. Proper treatment including any surgery, if indicated may give her a more easy life. You may discuss all the prose and cones of any procedure or surgery with your doctor and may take the decision accordingly.

Take care. Hope I have answered your question. Let me know if I can assist you further.

Regards,
Dr. Satnarain Bansal, General & Family Physician
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Is A Wait And See Approach Advisable For An Elderly Person With Rheumatoid Heart Disease And No Symptoms?

Hi, As she is having a no. of medical problems including hypothyroidism, hypertension, diabetes as well as rheumatic heart disease leading to mitral stenosis, mitral regurgitation, tricuspid regurgitation, pulmonary hypertension as well as dilated left atrium. Continuous follow up is necessary at least to prevent further problems. Also, she may be asymptomatic as she is already taking the medicines for raised BP as well as for her heart condition. This does not mean that she should wait till the more problems arise. Proper treatment including any surgery, if indicated may give her a more easy life. You may discuss all the prose and cones of any procedure or surgery with your doctor and may take the decision accordingly. Take care. Hope I have answered your question. Let me know if I can assist you further. Regards, Dr. Satnarain Bansal, General & Family Physician