Laura’s Warning About Symptoms, Disease Progression & Cardiac Catheterizations
Written By: Adam Pick, Patient Advocate, Author & Website Founder
Published: January 11, 2024
I just received a very interesting and insightful email from Laura Holt about the symptoms, the progression, the diagnostic tests and the dangers of aortic stenosis. Considering that aortic stenosis is often under-diagnosed and under-treated, I wanted to share Laura’s experience with our community.
Laura Says…
Hi Adam,
I hope that you are well. I’m not but I will be in a few weeks!
Just wanted to tell you briefly about an experience that I had recently that I believe other aortic valve patients should be warned about.
I’ve been a moderate aortic stenosis patient for a few years, and had yet another echocardiogram recently. This test showed that I am still moderate, and not qualified for a new valve. Since I’ve been feeling pretty horrible for over a year, this was very discouraging to me. I signed up for the new Expand TAVR II trial in the hope that I’d get the valve replaced sooner.
As part of the trial, they requested that I have another heart catheterization since I hadn’t had one in 2 years. Well, when it was over, my surgeon came to my room and told me that the catheterization showed that my stenosis is severe now, which would explain my feeling so awful.
My surgeon told me that as a result of this experience, he will listen to his patients more and the echocardiogram results less. I will be getting my new aortic valve in January. I feel that “moderate” stenosis patients should be assertive about having a cardiac catheterization if they are feeling really bad. It could save their life!
Thanks, Adam, for all that you do to help so many people.
God bless you and your family.
Laura Holt
Written by Adam Pick
- Patient & Website Founder
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Dr. Alfredo Trento is a heart valve expert having performed over 4,000 heart valve repair and replacement operations during his career.
