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Big News! In case you missed it, the new SMART Clinical Trial just revealed... Read More.
Our recent webinar, “6 Expert Tips for Women with Aortic Stenosis", was fantastic! During... Read More.
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“I just went in for an annual check-up. After listening to my heart, my doctor told me I had a heart murmur. I never knew I had a heart murmur, and I didn’t know much about them. The images ... Read more.
“I just went in for an annual check-up. After listening to my heart, my doctor told me I had a heart murmur. I never knew I had a heart murmur, and I didn’t know much about them. The images showed that I had a severe mitral valve prolapse.
We made the decision, at the time, to keep an eye on it for a year because I had no symptoms. Based on my second echocardiogram, it was determined that my mitral valve prolapse had progressed, and it was time for surgery. Now, I am ecstatic to say that my wife and I just returned from a 10-day holiday in Saint Lucia which included four scuba dives.
Dr. Castillo-Sang gave me the confidence that I would be able to dive again, and he was 100% correct."
-- Gary Fabre, heart valve patient
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Suddenly I am symptomatic again. Gasping for ...Read more
Suddenly I am symptomatic again. Gasping for breath from walking to the kitchen.. Echo shows tricuspid and mitral regurgitation. Any others who have had repeat surgeries?
I should add, if you have symptoms just walking to the kitchen, you really need to see a cardiologist quickly. Like within days rather than weeks.
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Surgeon Q&A: Bicuspid Aortic Valves, Connective Tissue Disorders & Aneurysms
Doctor Interviewed:
Dr. Chris Malaisrie
Surgeon Q&A: Bicuspid Aortic Valves, Connective Tissue Disorders & Aneurysms
My INR has stabilised and my valve is incredibly silent . < Onx Valve >
I ...Read more
My INR has stabilised and my valve is incredibly silent . < Onx Valve >
I am so glad I went with the Mechanical Valve and thank Adam and this website for the wealth of information and Webinars that helped me with that decision.
For those on the journey it does get easier with time .
Check out the new edits to 'My Story' page by clicking here.
Check out the new edits to 'My Story' page by clicking here.
Check out the new edits to 'My Story' page by clicking here.
I do wish my Drs came more prepared for apts. You... Read more
I do wish my Drs came more prepared for apts. You are so right about them not being ready or going over things in depth before my apts.
Wishing everyone a beautiful Friday the 13th
Just had to pay over $1200 on my vehicle today, ugh!!! Do you know they even charged me for the credit card processing, even though I used my debit bank card! I did not have cash or a check with me! I would think for that amount of money, they can pick up the processing cost.
Shameful plug here, sorry if it is not allowed Adam;
Anyone need some Wedding, Anniversary, Mothers Day or Fathers Day gifts, please take a look at my Etsy shop. I could use the business, since it is now my only form of income.
I hate doing that, but if you are purchasing gifts for certain occasions, why not support one of our own. I will happily do same if anyone has something I can use here.
https://www.etsy.com/shop/RusticMidwestCharm
I am so happy you got great news. Hope you are enjoying the day ❤️
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My trifecta valve is limiting my activities and giving my symptoms. A TAVR lifespan is average about 5 years and I don’t have room for TAVR in TAVR. SAVR in my best option by 2 surgeons. They expect my recovery to be about the same as 10 years ago.
If you’re
limited now in what you enjoy doing and a TAVR isn’t a good option then have a good evaluation of your general health I would think the first step.
... Read more
My trifecta valve is limiting my activities and giving my symptoms. A TAVR lifespan is average about 5 years and I don’t have room for TAVR in TAVR. SAVR in my best option by 2 surgeons. They expect my recovery to be about the same as 10 years ago.
If you’re
limited now in what you enjoy doing and a TAVR isn’t a good option then have a good evaluation of your general health I would think the first step.
praying for God to lead you to the best option. It good to have options!!!!!.
Check out the new edits to 'My Story' page by clicking here.
Check out the new edits to 'My Story' page by clicking here.
Big News! In case you missed it, the new SMART Clinical Trial just revealed... Read More.
Our recent webinar, “6 Expert Tips for Women with Aortic Stenosis", was fantastic! During... Read More.
< ... Read more
I used the message portal a lot after my surgery to keep in touch with my surgical team and my cardiologist when I had questions or concerns that I thought couldn’t wait until my next appointment.
recent days. Has richard been out walking the neighborhood at night ...Read more
recent days. Has richard been out walking the neighborhood at night ? Lol. "
Check out the new edits to 'My Story' page by clicking here.
Check out the new edits to 'My Story' page by clicking here.
I’ve read and being told that valve patients can struggle until the 6-7 month period with this, especially with a thoracotomy where they move a lot a stuff around and affect many nerves and the nervous system. I am now 9 days into 10 mg Nortriptilyne, they are hoping this can be a bridge while my system recalibrates. That it will hopefully reduce migraines and subsequent symptoms. Of course I need to now get over the early side effects of that medication which they say is usually by day 14 or so. Always something.
my heart is doing very well. In rehab and running 4Km a day (2.4 miles) they have me sticking to 135-140 bpm for now. Now, if I can get everything else to catch up, I would be so grateful. All things of course I did not expect pre-surgery but I guess a surgeon‘s job is mostly about the heart and not about everything that accompanies it which I have learned the hard way.
Trying to stay positive, even though there’s many bad days, but I’m trying to rejoice in the good days where I have no symptoms and hoping that more good days start to outweigh the bad days sooner than later.
While I don't know what "ANS recalibration" is, the fact that you do 4km of running a day is a very positive sign. I had a few symptoms like lack of appetite for a couple of weeks, some headache/muscle pain for maybe a month due to the way I slept, etc. Your symptoms seems different and much longer lasting, though. The stomach discomfort might be due to medicine. Check if it is different if you take it after eating or drinking something.
https://www.heart-valve-surgery.com/learning-center.php
Upcoming Surgeries

Joanne Carvitto
Aortic Stenosis
March 18, 2026

Helen Moore
Aortic Stenosis
March 19, 2026

Joe K
Aortic Regurgitation
March 20, 2026
Surgeon Spotlight
Dr. Alfredo Trento is a world-renowned cardiac surgeon that has performed over 4,000 heart valve operations that include minimally-invasive techniques.


