Sharon's Profile

For a long time I knew I had a heart murmur. Every time I would see the doctor for a concern with my heart, they would just say "oh, it's your heart murmur. Like it's o.k. Well May of this year, I went to see my new doctor to get stronger medication for my arthritis. I don't really like taking medication and I'm usually trying to get off medications. This new doctor did a full exam, and she said "do you know you have a heart murmur?" I told her yes, and then told her my symptoms. Well, she did an EKG right there. Didn't like the looks of it, Well I've had a stress test and an echocardiogram and a 24 hr. halter monitor done. After those tests, then I received the diagnoses. My cardiologist says it is moderate. It isn't a matter of if I need the surgery, it's when. Because of the stenoses he is concerned. I am on a calcium channel blocker.I go for my next echo on dec. 1st. Kind of nervous. Just a couple of times I've gotten short of breath, and my upper back has hurt. I'm not good at hurry up and wait. But I thank all of you for journaling, it has helped. Oh, I am married, 34 years, to my high school sweet heart, 2 grown children, and two grandkids. I work in dialysis and love it, have been part of the medical field for 25 years. (Can't tell by my poor spelling, sorry about that) .