I have leaking valves in my heart (mild-pulmonary,...

Lioneyouki78 asked...

I have leaking valves in my heart (mild-pulmonary, trace-tricuspid and mild-mitral) accompanied with ongoing chest pain, swelling of legs, ankles and feet, shortness of breath, and numbness/tingles going down my left arm to my hand and fingers. My MD prescribed medication for GERD and asthma, but said he didn't believe my leaking valves were anything to be alarmed about. My question is if the medication isn't helping with the pain and shortness of breath, should I seek further medical attention? (ie: a cardiologist)?

Expert Answer

Carolyn Strimike, N.P. and Margie Latrella, N.P. are cardiac nurse practitioners specializing in the prevention of heart disease and stroke. They have over 40 years of nursing experience in Cardiology between them. The main goal of their work is to counsel, motivate and empower women to adopt healthy lifestyle choices.

The "leaking heart valves" do not sound severe, we use a grading system trace, mild, moderate, severe. The swelling of your legs, shortness of breath, chest pain and tingles may still be a sign of a heart problem and we would recommend that you see a cardiologist to be evaluated further. We are assuming the "leaking heart valves" were detected with an echocardiogram (heart ultrasound) - if you have not had this test you should. There are other tests that a cardiologist can perform to evaluate the heart and make sure your symptoms are not related to a heart problem though. Have you had your thyroid tested? Thyroid problems can cause some of these symptoms. You should have a full blood panel performed to make sure you do not have any kidney, hormone or liver problems. You may have some degree of GERD and asthma but the bottom line is you are having persistent symptoms and need to have further testing.