Martha (Pixie)'s Profile

I have felt 'out of breath' when exerting myself. It has recently gotten worse, and now I know why. I think that it may have been affecting me for many years. I know when I had to stop to catch my breath I always chocked it up to being out of shape even though I am very active and hike a lot. Now I think the limiting factor was my heart and not my being out of shape. I have severe calcific aortic stenosis. After reading The Patient's Guide to Heart Valve Surgery, I decided to call Virginia Mason in Seattle. One of the doctors on heartvalvesurgeons.com had been recommended by a patient: Dr. Mark Hill. I got an appointment with a regular cardiologist, Dr. Susie Woo for the Monday that I was in Seattle. My son, Graham, took me to Virginia Mason. After getting taking an EKG,and being checked by Dr. Woo, she asked if I would like to meet Dr. Hill. He came over in about 1/2 an hour and answered our questions. The important one was, "How often do you go this procedure?" When he said 7 or 8 times a week, I felt very good since I liked his quiet manner and willingness to answer questions. Because I live in Anchorage, and because my husband, Carl, had not been in on the Seattle visit, I felt I should also check the options there. We went two days later to the Alaska Heart Institute. Another EKG, and a discussion with Dr. Adam Mason. He was nice, but I just felt totally positive about Virginia Mason. I will probably be seeing Dr. Mason for followups.