DU Docs (or anyone else): Question about Robin Williams' heart condition and "Why"?

[Mike 03]

I'm interested in this case for a few reasons.

1. At 57 (I think) is he a bit young to have to have an aortic valve replacement?

2. He has both risk factors and preventative factors: by his own admission he was a cocaine user/addict for many years, but he also quit twenty years ago.

3. On the positive side, the guy was (or maybe still is) an endurance runner. My recollection is that he lived in Marin county and was known to run long distances almost every day.

As an aside, my physician once told me that I had an unusually large heart but that it was common for long-distance runners to have large hearts.

Do you think exercise can contribute to his condition? Do you think it's just genetics or something like that? Or could it be his early drug use?

I am asking these questions, of course, just in the nature of speculation, not as a diagnosis. And he's a public figure, so I figure it's okay to post these questions here.

Curious about your responses.

[TZ]

1. My grandmother was about the same age

When she had an aortic replacement. Unfortunately she didn't make it. IMO the drug abuse contributed but genetics was probably the big factor

[Mike 03]

7. I'm so sorry you lost your grandmother at such a young age.

My heart goes out to you.

Mike

[WannaJumpMyScooter]

2. he is also a type-a personality

and 57 is prime age for things like that

[SPKrazy]

4. I think he is even bipolar if my memory serves right

and the stress of mania in earlier life may have been a factor

or meds for that might be :shrug:

[Mike 03]

8. This is very helpful and interesting, thank you.

I'm reading all of your posts, and appreciate every word.

Thanks.

[SPKrazy]

3. No I don't think exercise is the cause

he probably either damaged it with cocaine use or it is congenital.

running may have helped him to notice that he had the problem.

I'm not sure he's too young

I'm not a doctor

I stayed at home last night

:P

but those are my thoughts, exercise should not be the cause of a condition like that

[Mike 03]

9. I appreciate your opinion.

I hope exercise is not the cause. I ran for years and still love to exercise. I know I have a large heart.

[Aristus]

5. Without a good patient history, it could be a lot of things. If he had some kind of

inflammatory condition that the general public doesn't know about, it could have contributed to his aortic valve pathology.

[Mike 03]

10. Thanks for your input.

I am just very curious to know if having an enlarged heart due to exercise can increase a person's chance of heart problems.

[supernova]

6. No, 57 isn't too early for valve replacement

They used to wait until there was irreparable damage to the heart before recommending replacement valves. That's not really the case anymore. They really want you to replace or in some cases, repair the valve before the heart suffers permanent damage working over time.

I'm aware of all this because I have two valves that might need repair/replacement at some point.

[Nikia]

11. My uncle's now deceased wife had an aoritic valve replacement

In her early 40's. She did not have "risk" factors. She was born with a slightly defective heart, but did not know it until adulthood. Unfortunately she died about 10 years later. Her son who is 30 and also lived clean now is exhibiting symptoms.

[madrchsod]

12. i had blood vessel in my heart unravel when is was 55

a lot of coke screws up one`s body especially the heart