Allison's Profile

I was initially diagnosed with severe aortic regurgitation in 2009, after a loud murmur was detected during a routine doctor's visit. I was generally asymptomatic and led a very active lifestyle in the 5 years that followed. My routine echos and worsening palpitations led my doctor to suggest I schedule my surgery in the summer of 2014. I was referred to the Boston Adult Congential Heart (BACH) surgical group and had my open heart surgery on August 19, 2014, at the age of 25. Though initially hoping for a repair, my aortic valve was replaced with an Edwards bovine tissue valve by Dr. Shekar at BWH in Boston. I had a smooth recovery at home with my parents in Connecticut before returning to work in Ireland at 8 weeks post-op. Though there have been struggles along the way, I am lucky to be back to "normal" and so very grateful!