Heart Valve problems after chemo

Lauri_S

I went through DD A/C, 12 weekly Taxol and Herceptin, then switched to bi-weekly Herceptin for another 9 months and had 33 radiation treatments in there as well.

Just finished the last Herceptin about 3 weeks ago and went for my final Echocardiogram. I had been having them every three months and until this last one everything was fine.

This one they found some "minor" leakage in my mitral valve. It wasn't there in May.

Has anyone else ever experienced this? They want to do another Echo in 6 months or so to see if there's any change.

I'm wondering if this is something that can get better on it's own or is it more along the lines of once it's not working right it stays not working right.

Any insight would be welcomed!

Lauri

Anonymous

Lauri...I've had MVP (mitral valve prolapse, AKA "floppy valve") most of my adult life and they can no longer hear or visualize it, so my assumption is that it has somewhat repaired itself. My father had it also when he was in his 70's and 80's and they spoke of a surgery for it, but he never had it done. The only "treatment"/precaution I've ever needed was to take antibiotics before any "dirty surgery" like dental work and that to prevent any potential bacteria from reaching the myocardium. So I think that unless it's bothering you, it's a relatively harmless condition.

Hope that helps some...

Marin

BethNY

During a routine echo during herceptin, they found that I had MVP. 80% of americans have MVP, and you used to have to take anitbiotics before going to the dentist, but now there are new guidlines out regarding that.

It's not something that's dangerous-- it just is what it is...

Lauri_S

Thanks, ladies! It does ease my mind.

Squirt07

Three years after receiving chemo I went into congestive heart failure. The heart should pump out around 55-60 and I was at 17. Mind you I'm only 43 at the time. They did an echo and said that I've got valve leakage and also the bottom 17% of the heart is damaged. My cardio doctor put me on several heart meds to strenghen the heart and did another echo about two months ago. My number is only up to 23. The doctor put me on a fourth med and this November they will do another echo and if the number is 35 or below they want to put a difibulator in. What a shock. My echo prior to the chemo showed a healthy heart. Just another bump in the road.

Paulette531

Quote:

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Three years after receiving chemo I went into congestive heart failure. The heart should pump out around 55-60 and I was at 17. Mind you I'm only 43 at the time. They did an echo and said that I've got valve leakage and also the bottom 17% of the heart is damaged. My cardio doctor put me on several heart meds to strenghen the heart and did another echo about two months ago. My number is only up to 23. The doctor put me on a fourth med and this November they will do another echo and if the number is 35 or below they want to put a difibulator in. What a shock. My echo prior to the chemo showed a healthy heart. Just another bump in the road.

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Just curious, did they attribute your heart condition to chemo?

nanette7fl

I was recently diagnosed with a mild case of Mitral Valve Prolapse 6 weeks after finishing Taxol and Herceptin for 12 weekly sessions. I know it wasn't present before chemo. The cardiologist said it's not too serious and they're going to keep am eye on it. There is no murmur which they said was great