Anne's Profile

My aortic stenosis has been severe (aortic valve area about 0.7) for the past few years. I have been asymptomatic for many years (except for lightheadedness on long runs, so I had to give up running). This spring, I started having shortness of breath and felt my heart pounding with light non-aerobic exercise. (I was still fine if I don't exercise at all, but I didn't want to turn into a couch potato.) I also have an autoimmune disease called dermatomyositis for which I take 6 immunosupressant pills a day and a platelet disorder. Because of those two disorders, my surgeon felt a TAVR would be the best choice for me. I had on June 22nd. I feel grateful for all the medical advances that have occurred in the ~15 years since I was first diagnosed! And grateful for how quickly I'm recovering and how well I feel.