Good evening folks, I’ve never been on an online forum in my life, so excuse me if I’m not up to speed with the current practices.
I found this website because I googled ‘diving with a replacement heart valve’, a couple of months ago, by chance, it was discovered I have a bicuspid aortic valve, with moderate stenosis and regurgitation.
In March this year my family and I were booked on a scuba diving holiday to Koh Tao, Thailand. I though I’d better run it past my GP, and to my horror he wouldn’t sign my fitness to dive forms!
I’m 64, I’ve completed seven marathons, I train hard; HIT classes cycling , fitness, fitness, fitness, five days a week it’s been my life for forty years. I thought I was invincible - wrong!!! 😂
After a period of shock, feeling sorry for myself and asking why me ? I got onto the internet to try and find a positive solution to my problem. I found Adam’s website; any information, and all the answers to my questions in one place - thank you.
I have an appointment with a cardiologist on 3/5/24, when I’m going to explore the possibility of a replacement aortic heart valve.
In hindsight, I have suffered from a tightness in my chest during the first few minutes of my exercise warm ups for a number of months. I used to put it down to cold weather, air conditioning, starting off too quickly, etc. I carried on regardless, completing my run, or HIT session, often reaching 90-95% of my MHR for between 9 -18 minutes in a 45 minute session, without any ill affects, dizziness,etc.
I’m starting out on an interesting journey (!) - hopefully I’ll be eligible for a replacement heart valve operation on our fantastic UK NHS.
In the meantime, I’ll continue to read your posts, advice, updates and personal experiences, and wish everyone on the forum my best and a speedy recovery.
Kind regards
Martin
Valerie Allen Welcome to our group! So you are in recovery?
Ana Brusso Hello Martin and welcome to our site. Glad you found us. This is a great community. Any idea when you ... Read more
Ana Brusso Hello Martin and welcome to our site. Glad you found us. This is a great community. Any idea when your surgery will be or did it happened already? Stay in touch and be well. God bless you
Rose Madura Hi Martin, we've had others on this site from the UK and I don't believe they had any problems with y ... Read more
Rose Madura Hi Martin, we've had others on this site from the UK and I don't believe they had any problems with your health care system. Let us know if you have any questions about your diagnosis and surgery. I had mine in 2017 and I feel better now than I ever have. God bless you a d please keep us posted.
nml hats I think he was writing the date as day/month so his appt is on May 3rd.
susan harris Check out the videos on the different valves, surgical options, etc. on Adam’s blog. I wish I had d ... Read more
susan harris Check out the videos on the different valves, surgical options, etc. on Adam’s blog. I wish I had done that before first surgeon appt.
Martin Cottam Hi, thank you for your messages of support. I am inspired by your stories and feel safe in the knowl... Read more
Martin Cottam Hi, thank you for your messages of support. I am inspired by your stories and feel safe in the knowledge I'm not alone!
I have been reading up on bicuspid aortic valve stenosis / replacement, Adam's website and your blog's provide really useful, practical information, thank you!
I met with my cardiologist last week who has agreed I require a replacement aortic valve.
I'm booked in for an angiogram and a CT scan; been prescribed aspirin and told to limit my exercise to swimming for a few weeks.
I will update my journal once I have completed my tests.
In the meantime I'll remain positive by reading your inspiring stories. Keep them coming.
I am from: Hertfordshire , United Kingdom
I found this website ...Read more
I found this website because I googled ‘diving with a replacement heart valve’, a couple of months ago, by chance, it was discovered I have a bicuspid aortic valve, with moderate stenosis and regurgitation.
In March this year my family and I were booked on a scuba diving holiday to Koh Tao, Thailand. I though I’d better run it past my GP, and to my horror he wouldn’t sign my fitness to dive forms!
I’m 64, I’ve completed seven marathons, I train hard; HIT classes cycling , fitness, fitness, fitness, five days a week it’s been my life for forty years. I thought I was invincible - wrong!!! 😂
After a period of shock, feeling sorry for myself and asking why me ? I got onto the internet to try and find a positive solution to my problem. I found Adam’s website; any information, and all the answers to my questions in one place - thank you.
I have an appointment with a cardiologist on 3/5/24, when I’m going to explore the possibility of a replacement aortic heart valve.
In hindsight, I have suffered from a tightness in my chest during the first few minutes of my exercise warm ups for a number of months. I used to put it down to cold weather, air conditioning, starting off too quickly, etc. I carried on regardless, completing my run, or HIT session, often reaching 90-95% of my MHR for between 9 -18 minutes in a 45 minute session, without any ill affects, dizziness,etc.
I’m starting out on an interesting journey (!) - hopefully I’ll be eligible for a replacement heart valve operation on our fantastic UK NHS.
In the meantime, I’ll continue to read your posts, advice, updates and personal experiences, and wish everyone on the forum my best and a speedy recovery.
Kind regards
Martin
I have been reading up on bicuspid aortic valve stenosis / replacement, Adam's website and your blog's provide really useful, practical information, thank you!
I met with my cardiologist last week who has agreed I require a replacement
aortic valve.
I'm booked in for an angiogram and a CT scan; been prescribed aspirin and told to limit my exercise to swimming for a few weeks.
I will update my journal once I have completed my tests.
In the meantime I'll remain positive by reading your inspiring stories. Keep them coming.