Valvular Heart Disorders, Treatment and Side Effects

Treating valvular heart disorders can be complicated depending on the severity of the problem and unfortunately I have a heart valve disorder called mitral valve prolapse. Heart valve disorders if not corrected can eventually lead to congestive heart failure. Some of the agents used to treat valvular heart disorder are:

Antibiotics such as Penicillin, Penicillin inhibits cell wall synthesis causing cell death. The side effects however can include glossitis, gastritis, nausea, vomiting, rash, phlebitis. The main considerations that should be assessed however is if the patient has any known allergy to Penicillin, and if not the patient should still be monitored carefully when Penicillin is given for reactions, in many cases oral Penicillin can cause a need for administration of nausea medications to be simultaneously given.

Anticoagulants such as Coumadin, Coumadin prevents thrombi and extends clotting time by interfering with vitamin K. Coumadin however can cause significant bleeding complications, nausea, dermatitis, leukoplakia, among other problems. If a patient is on an anticoagulant they must have their PT and INR measured frequently for evaluation of clotting factor. The patient should be instructed to any excessive bleeding symptoms such as severe bruising, nosebleeds, or coughing up blood.

Cardiac Glycosides such as Digoxin, Digoxin and other medications like it are given to increase cardiac output by slowing heart rate and increasing force of the heart contraction. This is called negative chronotropic action and positive inotropic action. Side effects for medications such as Digoxin include fatigue, muscle weakness, agitation, anorexia, and in some cases hallucinations. A person who is taking Digoxin should be monitored for potassium levels, have the medication given directly before meals to promote proper absorption and have their pulse rate monitored before and after each dose to monitor proper coronary perfusion.

Antiplatelets such as Ticlid, antiplatelet medications decrease clot production by interfering with platelet aggregation. However the side effects with antiplatelets include dizziness, diarrhea, nausea, bleeding and abdominal discomfort. Antiplatelet medications should be administered with food, have the white blood count monitored and be assessed for excessive bleeding problems.

Antidysrhythmics such as Quinidine, antidysrhythmics alter the action of cardiac cells and interferes with heart electrical excitability. This however causes side effects that include nausea, new dysrhythmias, rash, tinnitus, headache and in some instances permanent hearing loss. A patient taking antidyshythmics must be carefully monitored for worsening or new dysrhythmics, ensure no complications with renal failure, and proper monitoring of blood counts during therapy.

In my case mitral valve prolapse causes me to have a consistently high pulse rate with even little to no activity, fluttering sensation, and extreme high blood pressure that is hard to control with medications. These factors are due to my heart muscle having to work overtime because of my valve's inability to properly function. Even though I am a nurse and properly trained in medicine, it has been hard for me to deal with my mitral valve prolapse problems and has caused me at times to need considerable medications changes and monitoring. I know that eventually I am looking at cardiac failure at an early age especially if my valve problem is not surgically corrected. However major surgery is not an option for me at this time being single and the only support for my family. I deal on a regular basis with high blood pressure issues that could cause me to have a stroke or heart attack without proper monitoring and treatment, excessive pulse rate that leaves me jittery and prone to agitation issues and some occasional angina like symptoms produced from the over exertion of my heart muscle. Stress is a big risk factor for me and I am constantly told to reduce my stress factors which tend to be hard considering I have a very stressful position as a nurse and lead a very busy life.

My thoughts are simply take one day at a time and to manage to the best of my ability.

References for this article include:

your-doctor.com/healthinfocenter/medical-conditions/cardiovascular/cardiac-conditions/valvular-dz/valvedz.html
my.clevelandclinic.org/heart/women/conditions_valve.aspx
www.webmd.com/heart-disease/guide/heart-valve-disease