Ronald's Profile

My story started out as a small heart murmer, that my doctors had noticed from when I was in my teens, If I remember correctly. This was never explained to me that it could turn into a larger problem. I was told I should have antibiotics before having any dental work done so that I did not get any infections of the gimpy valve, but still no mention that I would have to have it replaced. I was happily living life for the next 30 years or so and just went to a routine yearly fisical. My doctor noticed that my heart murmer had gotten more pronounced than he remembers and recommended I have an Echocardigram done. When they did this last my valve was at a moderate stage, about 3 years ago. This last Echo showed the valve had narrowed to 1.0 cm2, which I'm told is just getting into the severe range. Sinse I have been asymtomatic, I had a treadmill stress test and it was determined that I was getting sufficient blood flow and I was told that I did not need to have surgery immediatly. I will be checked agian in 3 months, but I am only kicking the can down the road and will need to have the surgery, sooner than later.