Aortic Valve problems

[yogasun]

A friend of ours from B'ham has been diagnosed as having an enlarged aortic valve and some 'leaking'. He has been having bouts of exhaustion and shortage of breath (otherwise a very fit slim non smoking 71 year old).
The cardiologist has said he is 'mystified' as to the causes of his symptoms and our friend has had every other test going to check for the reasons for his symptoms. Surely the valve problem would cause them?!!
The cardiologist said the valve wasn't a cause for concern and probably typical for someone of his age (?) However we know two other local people (Devon) who have had this diagnosis and they were fitted with new (pig's) valves and they were older people. It has solved their problems and I am wondering why our friend is having to live with the symptoms that the specialist doesn't attribute to the valve problem.
Anyone else living with a dodgy aortic valve?

[bednobs]

arre you sure your other friends havent had mitral valve replacements?

[yogasun]

That's a good point bednobs, I suppose they could be mitral valves (sometimes people just say valves if they are not into anatomy)
However if you are right, aren't my friend's symptoms caused by the aortic valve problem as all other tests imaginable have proved negative?

[bednobs]

actually, for all i know aortic and mitral valve might well be the same thing!

[yogasun]

Oh, yes the mitral valve is the same isn't it? ! Just spoken to my friend and of course she said aortic valve was replaced.

[Sqad]

It all depends on the cause of the aortic valve problem.........now days it is due to atherosclerosis and may well involve the adjacent aorta and if this is the case, then one MAY have to live with this.

If the Cardiologist says that the abnormal aortic valve is NOT the cause of his symptoms, then it is NOT.........so replacing it would be of bu99er all value to him.

There is a "protocol" regarding indications for valve replacement and clearly your two friends slipped into that protocol and your other friend didnt.
Some people who have "leaking " mitral valves also may not need replacement.....there are many variations and each person is assessed individually....there being no "blanket" treatment.

[yogasun]

Thanks Sqad, fair enough. Realise all cases are different, as you say he obviously doesn't fall into the treatable category. Hope he can have some respite from the other problems whatever is causing them.
Thanks for your full and helpful answer.

[Sqad]

yoga....a pleasure.

\\\doesn't fall into the treatable category.\\\

Just to make it quite clear.....just because a valve or anything else for that matter, is treatable, it doesn't mean that it NEEDS treating.

[yogasun]

No, point taken - understand the distinction :0)

[Sqad]

;-)

[China Doll]

Hi yogasun,

Really sorry to highjack your thread but don't see you around too much and I wanted to ask your opinion. I had a hip op last year (minor, it was a hip impingment) and it seemed to work well but then things went a bit tits up towards christmas and I was given a cortisone injection which seems to have settled everything down again. I would quite like to start doing some more excercise and wondered if yoga would be something suitable? But then was a bit worried as maybe it's not such a good idea. I'd really appreciate your opinion. :c)

^^^ This is all assuming I've remembered rightly and you are a yoga instructor or expereinced practitioner and I've not got you confused with someone else!

[yogasun]

Hi China Doll

No problem re. hi-jack!! You are right that I have practised and taught Yoga for more years than I care to remember! Don't come on here a lot, just dip in and out! Had to go to work so have just seen your posting.
Actually in my experience your problem might NOT be helped by Yoga stretching unless you just focus on the core strength part of Yoga exercises.
I don't often say this as most problems are helped considerably by a Yogic approach, both physical and emotional, but on this occasion I feel that the
hip type stretches would exacerbate the condition (potentially)
Even with Pilates (focussing on core strength) you would have to avoid certain things.
Is an operation out of the question, or last resort?

[China Doll]

Thank you yogasun, that's sort of what I was thinking too. If the cortisone injection doesn't work then they are thinking of doing another hip arthroscopy (they did that last feb with some re-shaping of bone as well) to see what's what. Obviously I would rather not have another op so am keeping fingers crossed for cortisone.

Thank you for the information though, maybe I'll see if the doc can't suggest something I can do that is not terminally boring in terms of gym classes :c)