Comments on: “What Are The Signs And Symptoms Of Heart Valve Problems?” Asks Donna http://www.heart-valve-surgery.com/heart-surgery-blog/2009/04/26/signs-symptoms-of-heart-valve-problems/ Former Patient And Author, Adam Pick, Blogs About Heart Valve Replacement And Heart Valve Repair Thu, 09 Feb 2012 06:18:04 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.3 By: Melissa Johnston http://www.heart-valve-surgery.com/heart-surgery-blog/2009/04/26/signs-symptoms-of-heart-valve-problems/comment-page-1/#comment-9609 Melissa Johnston Mon, 04 May 2009 01:01:23 +0000 http://www.heart-valve-surgery.com/heart-surgery-blog/2009/04/26/signs-symptoms-of-heart-valve-problems/#comment-9609 My cardiologist & several others chose to believe that I was asymptomatic even though I continually said that I got out of breath very easily. My biggest advice would be to trust how you're feeling and if you don't think things are right get them checked out further. My stenosis went from a pressure gradient of in the 30's to over 60 (ie needing surgery) in the period between my regular cardiologist visits, it was only because I had taken myself back to see him because I didn't feel right - my breathlessness had go to the point where I would totally avoid stairs and any hill or the slightest incline because it was just too uncomfortable to walk up them. It's now 1 yr since my surgery and I am feeling good. Nobody knows your body like you do, it's your health and you need to take great care with it. My cardiologist & several others chose to believe that I was asymptomatic even though I continually said that I got out of breath very easily. My biggest advice would be to trust how you’re feeling and if you don’t think things are right get them checked out further. My stenosis went from a pressure gradient of in the 30′s to over 60 (ie needing surgery) in the period between my regular cardiologist visits, it was only because I had taken myself back to see him because I didn’t feel right – my breathlessness had go to the point where I would totally avoid stairs and any hill or the slightest incline because it was just too uncomfortable to walk up them. It’s now 1 yr since my surgery and I am feeling good. Nobody knows your body like you do, it’s your health and you need to take great care with it.

]]> By: Penny http://www.heart-valve-surgery.com/heart-surgery-blog/2009/04/26/signs-symptoms-of-heart-valve-problems/comment-page-1/#comment-9603 Penny Sat, 02 May 2009 20:46:29 +0000 http://www.heart-valve-surgery.com/heart-surgery-blog/2009/04/26/signs-symptoms-of-heart-valve-problems/#comment-9603 I have been having somewhat the opposite problem. I was recently diagnosed with a bicuspid aortic valve after having experienced all of the symptoms mentioned for valve problems. I have been through a number of heart tests, including two echocardiograms, and have been told that the valve is still working fine and I shouldn't need surgery for some time. I am still having all the symptoms though and am exhausted all the time. Any suggestions on what I should do next? I have been having somewhat the opposite problem. I was recently diagnosed with a bicuspid aortic valve after having experienced all of the symptoms mentioned for valve problems. I have been through a number of heart tests, including two echocardiograms, and have been told that the valve is still working fine and I shouldn’t need surgery for some time. I am still having all the symptoms though and am exhausted all the time. Any suggestions on what I should do next?

]]> By: linda http://www.heart-valve-surgery.com/heart-surgery-blog/2009/04/26/signs-symptoms-of-heart-valve-problems/comment-page-1/#comment-9515 linda Mon, 27 Apr 2009 16:12:57 +0000 http://www.heart-valve-surgery.com/heart-surgery-blog/2009/04/26/signs-symptoms-of-heart-valve-problems/#comment-9515 Hi Adam I am new to your blog but obviously am in a similar situation as everyone. I will be 53 end of May and last October during my first every cardio work-up (for no reason except taking advantage of new HMO insurance) I discovered I had mitral valve prolapse. My stress test was great and I have no symptoms. But the amount of regurgitation pointed to the likely need for a repair in the future. My echo this past March showed that I was now moving into the severe range and it is recommended I have the repair now while I am healthy and still asymptomatic. My TEE looked good and my coronary angiogram showed everything was clean. I live near Newport Beach in CA and have been directed to Zusmann Raney Cardiac Group at Hoag Hospital. My surgery is scheduled for June 19 barring any insurance snags. The interesting part is as of now the surgery will be approached robotically using the Da Vinci Robot. If all goes as planned the valve will be repaired through 3 incisions in my right side. I am wondering if anyone through your network has had this procedure? I look forward to staying connected and sharing my story as it unfolds. Linda Hi Adam
I am new to your blog but obviously am in a similar situation as everyone. I will be 53 end of May and last October during my first every cardio work-up (for no reason except taking advantage of new HMO insurance) I discovered I had mitral valve prolapse. My stress test was great and I have no symptoms. But the amount of regurgitation pointed to the likely need for a repair in the future. My echo this past March showed that I was now moving into the severe range and it is recommended I have the repair now while I am healthy and still asymptomatic. My TEE looked good and my coronary angiogram showed everything was clean. I live near Newport Beach in CA and have been directed to Zusmann Raney Cardiac Group at Hoag Hospital. My surgery is scheduled for June 19 barring any insurance snags. The interesting part is as of now the surgery will be approached robotically using the Da Vinci Robot. If all goes as planned the valve will be repaired through 3 incisions in my right side. I am wondering if anyone through your network has had this procedure? I look forward to staying connected and sharing my story as it unfolds.
Linda

]]> By: Katie Brown http://www.heart-valve-surgery.com/heart-surgery-blog/2009/04/26/signs-symptoms-of-heart-valve-problems/comment-page-1/#comment-9509 Katie Brown Mon, 27 Apr 2009 01:04:27 +0000 http://www.heart-valve-surgery.com/heart-surgery-blog/2009/04/26/signs-symptoms-of-heart-valve-problems/#comment-9509 It is a comfort every time I read your blog as I also face aortic valve surgery in the future. When I see your emails, I feel like you and your other friends truly understand what I feel. After losing 85 pounds, my cardiologist could really hear my murmur. He walked me over for my echocardiogram which showed almost moderate problems. However, you and my internist talked me off the ledge. I'll keep looking forward to your blog. It is a comfort every time I read your blog as I also face aortic valve surgery in the future. When I see your emails, I feel like you and your other friends truly understand what I feel. After losing 85 pounds, my cardiologist could really hear my murmur. He walked me over for my echocardiogram which showed almost moderate problems. However, you and my internist talked me off the ledge. I’ll keep looking forward to your blog.

]]> By: Joe http://www.heart-valve-surgery.com/heart-surgery-blog/2009/04/26/signs-symptoms-of-heart-valve-problems/comment-page-1/#comment-9508 Joe Mon, 27 Apr 2009 00:24:35 +0000 http://www.heart-valve-surgery.com/heart-surgery-blog/2009/04/26/signs-symptoms-of-heart-valve-problems/#comment-9508 My doctor watched my moderate aortic stenosis for several years hoping it would be stable for some time. I had almost no symptoms except occasional shortness of breath, which at 55, I figured was probably normal. But to my dismay, my regular echo last November showed things had progressed rapidly to a severe stage. My cardiologist said I needed to consider valve replacement within six months before any irreversable damage was done. I was told that once things get to that point, it's like a snowball picking up speed going downhill. It gets worse much more quickly. After a second opinion (at Cleveland Clinic) confirmed the problem, I had the surgery on Dec. 29th and I'm feeling great! No more shortness of breath while doing any simple tasks. No - it wasn't just a symtom of getting older. It was a severe problem that needed taken care of. IF YOU HAVE ANY QUESTIONABLE SYMTOMS, HAVE THEM CHECKED OUT. BETTER SAFE THAN SORRY WHEN IT COMES TO YOUR HEART! Good luck, Donna! Joe My doctor watched my moderate aortic stenosis for several years hoping it would be stable for some time. I had almost no symptoms except occasional shortness of breath, which at 55, I figured was probably normal. But to my dismay, my regular echo last November showed things had progressed rapidly to a severe stage. My cardiologist said I needed to consider valve replacement within six months before any irreversable damage was done. I was told that once things get to that point, it’s like a snowball picking up speed going downhill. It gets worse much more quickly.

After a second opinion (at Cleveland Clinic) confirmed the problem, I had the surgery on Dec. 29th and I’m feeling great! No more shortness of breath while doing any simple tasks. No – it wasn’t just a symtom of getting older. It was a severe problem that needed taken care of. IF YOU HAVE ANY QUESTIONABLE SYMTOMS, HAVE THEM CHECKED OUT. BETTER SAFE THAN SORRY WHEN IT COMES TO YOUR HEART! Good luck, Donna!
Joe

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