Dan's Profile

Hi! I'm 64, retired, and am a very physically active person. I have a fairly large garden and I enjoy working on household projects. I love cycling and, for the past 9 years, have gone on week long tours with my wife & another couple around the country. During the past few years, I noticed I became fatigued more easily but chalked that up to getting older. It was shocking, on Dec. 6th, when I experienced heavy heart palpitations, erratic heart beats, lightheadedness, and shortness of breath ultimately ending up in the ER. By the next day, I was seeing a cardiologist who set up a variety of tests (echocardiogram, treadmill test, and holter monitor). Within a week I went from biking 2000 miles in 2021 to discovering I had severe aortic regurgitation as well as numerous PVC's. During the past 4 months, I continued to experience symptoms at an increasing rate. On April 11th, I underway a cardiac ablation to address the PVC issue. On May 4th, I am scheduled for open heart surgery to repair my aortic valve. It's been challenging wrapping my mind around this diagnosis. I just didn't see it coming. But I've come around to the reality of the situation and I feel prepared for the upcoming surgery, as well as the physical therapy, with the intention of getting back to my previous level of activity.