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Suggest Treatment For Aortic Valve Dysfunction
Question: Hi, I am a 21 year old male with no outstanding health issues other than a bicuspid aortic valve that I was diagnosed with having around 4 years ago. Currently- at least at my last checkup in 2015- my valve had minimal leakage. At that time I also found out that I was lucky as I did not have the enlargement of the aorta that cooccurs in many bav patients. My question today however relates to a sporadic spring of adderall use that took place between December and April of late 2015 into 2016. Spread over this time I took a total of eight or nine pills of adderall, of varying strength (up to 20 mgs), occasionally (not everytime) with alcohol. I have come to realize how foolish this was, and I have since stopped. I know that this isn't good to abuse for a multitude of reasons, however I was curious if this had a strong likelihood to have negatively affected my heart. Presently I have no symptoms of heart issues (i still run 2-3 miles everyday with no issue, I have no issue with breathing, walking, sleeping ect). I have been to other doctors in the past few months (some relating to an echogram of a bump on my testicle that turned out to be a cyst, and another for routine vaccinations), and at all of these I've had my blood pressure taken and been generally looked at. At one of these appointments the nurse said my blood pressure was a little high (normally I have low bp), but then surmised it as having to do with me running to make my appointment; otherwise everything about me has checked out fine. Sorry if this was rambling, but I appreciate your help.
Brief Answer:
I would explain as follows:
Detailed Answer:
Hello!
Welcome and thank you for asking on HCM!
I carefully passed through your question and would explain that the conditions of your bicuspid aortic valve are satisfactory. You have neither aortic stenosis, nor clinically significant aortic regurgitation; also no ascending aorta dilation.
Coming to this point the only thing to do is to periodically check your cardiac structure and function, especially the aortic valve by cardiac ultrasound, just to be sure that no significant progression of aortic valve dysfunction is occurring.
So, the most significant is the prevention of endocarditis (by using prophylactic antibiotics, prior and after invasive medical procedures such as endoscopic examination, surgery, dental procedures, tooth extraction, etc.) and vigorously treating acute infection such as pneumonia, urinary tract infection, etc..
Regarding Aderall, you have made the right decision to stop it because the chronic use of such recreational drug may lead to sudden cardiac disturbances such as palpitations, cardiac arrhythmia and even cardiomyopathy.
Also Adderall may adversely impact blood pressure values, leading to high blood pressure.
To conclude, I would advise you to follow a healthy lifestyle:
- a healthy diet
- a lot of physical activity
- avoid smoking and alcohol intake
- avoiding drug abuse, etc..
In such case, I believe that you will have a healthy and long life just as all the other healthy young adults.
Hope to have clarified some of your uncertainties.
Kind regards,
Dr. Iliri
I would explain as follows:
Detailed Answer:
Hello!
Welcome and thank you for asking on HCM!
I carefully passed through your question and would explain that the conditions of your bicuspid aortic valve are satisfactory. You have neither aortic stenosis, nor clinically significant aortic regurgitation; also no ascending aorta dilation.
Coming to this point the only thing to do is to periodically check your cardiac structure and function, especially the aortic valve by cardiac ultrasound, just to be sure that no significant progression of aortic valve dysfunction is occurring.
So, the most significant is the prevention of endocarditis (by using prophylactic antibiotics, prior and after invasive medical procedures such as endoscopic examination, surgery, dental procedures, tooth extraction, etc.) and vigorously treating acute infection such as pneumonia, urinary tract infection, etc..
Regarding Aderall, you have made the right decision to stop it because the chronic use of such recreational drug may lead to sudden cardiac disturbances such as palpitations, cardiac arrhythmia and even cardiomyopathy.
Also Adderall may adversely impact blood pressure values, leading to high blood pressure.
To conclude, I would advise you to follow a healthy lifestyle:
- a healthy diet
- a lot of physical activity
- avoid smoking and alcohol intake
- avoiding drug abuse, etc..
In such case, I believe that you will have a healthy and long life just as all the other healthy young adults.
Hope to have clarified some of your uncertainties.
Kind regards,
Dr. Iliri
Note: For further queries related to coronary artery disease and prevention, click here.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
Answered by
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