Tina's Profile

I was diagnosed 5 years ago this October with a Congenital Bicuspid Aortic Valve & Ascending Aortic Aneurysm of 4.6 cm. I have received resting echo tests every 6 months to track the growth. Everything was stable for 3 1/2 years until I went in for my test in June 2010. The aneurysm had grown from 4.6 - 5.1 cm. It was now at the point where they considered surgery because chance of rupture. I was 30 years old when I had open heart surgery on July 23, 2010 to replace my Aneurysm & Aortic Valve. After my surgery my heart stopped for 13 seconds, I was told I had heart block due to trauma from my surgery. Seven days later I was back in the operating room to have a permanent pacemaker implanted. There are always risks with surgeries and there was a 10% chance of needing a pacemaker after my surgery. I am now 100% dependent on it. After 10 days in the hospital, 2 surgeries and 3 new parts inside me, I was finally sent home to recover.