Deb's Profile

I was diagnosed with mild aortic stenosis in the fall of 2021 just after recovering from Covid. I was experiencing shortness of breath, palpitations and chest pain. The cardiologist basically told me "don't worry about it unless you have symptoms". For several years I did just that. But looking back I realize that I was indeed having symptoms but making excuses like, it was hot, maybe I was dehydrated etc. I was not followed up with until December of 2024 when the symptoms became impossible to ignore. At the point I was considered on the high end of moderate stenosis. 2025 was a whirlwind of appointments and test after test. I live in the florida panhandler and sadly our medical system in this area is pretty awful. In December of 2025, I was referred to Dr Bradley Leshnower at Emory University Hospital in Atlanta GA. After several tests at Emory it was determined that the stenosis had progressed to severe and I am scheduled for OHS with mechanical aortic valve replacement on 2-18-26. I am 62 years old which put me in the gray zone of mechanical Vs tissue valve. My surgery will be done by mini-Thorocotomy vs mid line sternotomy, which will hopefully be an easier recovery. Best of luck to you all!