Heart valve issue may be mild type

DEAR DR. GOTT: When I was in my teens, I played a lot of sports, and my father (who was rather overprotective) was worried about heart murmurs. I got my heart tested and was diagnosed with pulmonary regurgitation. Can you tell me anything about this? All I remember is my doctor telling me that there is nothing to worry about.

DEAR READER: Pulmonary regurgitation is a condition in which the valve that separates the right ventricle from the pulmonary artery (which leads to the lungs for re-oxygenation) malfunctions, allowing some blood to flow back into the heart. This can occur because of a malformation of the valve or because it doesn’t close all the way. It is also known as pulmonary insufficiency and can be trivial, mild, moderate or severe.

Infants and children do not typically experience symptoms, but as they age, fatigue, a heart murmur, arrhythmias (abnormal heart rhythm), fainting during exercise or other activity may occur.

Trivial and mild cases often do not necessitate treatment but may require regular monitoring and checkups. Trivial pulmonary regurgitation is common, and if the valve is otherwise normal, it may not need regular monitoring. Moderate to severe cases require follow-up and may benefit from medication to help the heart pump more efficiently. Severe cases may call for valve repair or replacement.

My guess is that since you have gone for some time without monitoring or apparent symptoms, there is nothing to worry about. You may simply have a trivial case of regurgitation. That being said, I still suggest you check with your current physician and request a referral to a cardiologist. This specialist can then examine you, order testing and discuss the results to give you better information about what exactly is going on and whether you need regular monitoring or treatment.