About Me (In My Own Words)
While doing some research on my Cardio Vascular Surgeon – Dr. Yves Leclerc I stumbled across this wonderful site that allows me to blog about my condition – and the best part is I can keep my friends and family up to date with my progress.
OK – so now ... let me take you back to when I first found out about this condition I have...
Two years ago – I had a physical done and one of the tests was a cardiogram. I guess the results from this test, triggered my physician Dr. Miriam Potter to bring in a Cardiologist Dr. Schwarz. When I met with Dr. Schwarz, back then, he told me that I had a “Bicuspid Aorta Valve” and that this was a congenital heart defect.
So ... you ask.... what is a Bicuspid Aorta Valve?
AH Hum Hum.... please let me explain (I feel I have become such an expert after all the reading I’ve done).
First I need to explain to you the aorta valve. It is a one-way valve between the heart and the aorta, the main artery from the heart that distributes oxygen-rich blood to the body. Normally, the aorta valve has three small flaps that open widely and close securely to regulate the blood flow; this allows the blood to flow from the heart to the aorta and prevents blood from flowing backwards into the heart.
The thing is that my aorta valve has only two small flaps and that is why it is called a bicuspid aorta. Because of this deformity, the valve doesn’t function perfectly but can function adequately for years without causing symptoms or obvious signs of a problem.
Well guess what... that’s what happened to me - I guess over the years calcium deposited on and around the leaflets that eventually caused the valve to stiffen and narrow, a condition known as stenosis. As stenosis develops the heart pumps increasingly harder to be able to force the blood through the valve.
They say that symptoms include chest pain, shortness of breath and dizziness or fainting caused by inadequate blood flow to the brain.
I guess I should count my blessings so far.... all I have is shortness of breath.
OK... now that we have that out the way.... let’s continue with my journey....
More Info About Me & My Heart
More About Me
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I am from:
Guelph, Canada