About Me (In My Own Words)
I knew I had high blood pressure for some time. I started BP medication a few years ago. I was very active, running 30 miles a week, completing 1/2 marathons with my wife, skiing, weight lifting. My work is as a Physical Therapist so pretty active job. Everything was going well, but March of 2025 I was having significant High Blood pressure attacks. Lightheaded, headache, dizziness, chest tightness. Went to the ER thinking I was having a heart attack. They ran the tests and everything came back normal. My primary care doctor changed my BP meds and things started to level out. However, he suggested I get an echocardiogram just to make sure nothing else was going on. I fought it at first as I was very active and beside the high BP, very healthy. Reluctantly I agreed. I remember going into the echo thinking it was going to be a waste of time, even considering cancelling. However I completed it.
I remember getting the result and reading them in ‘My Chart’ a couple days later. The findings read ‘severely atrophic ascending aorta’ and ‘bicuspid valve’. At first I didn’t think that much of it other than it seemed weird it didn’t say it was normal. I texted my wife the results. She called me back immediately a little anxious asking if I was alright. She wanted me to call her Father, who is a physician, and discuss the results with him. After talking with him about it called me back later that evening concerned and said I need to reach out to my PCP and get a referral to a Cardiologist. Interestingly enough my PCP sent me a my chart message already referring me to Cardiology. I was able to see them within 2 weeks.
Going into see the Cardiologist again I thought it was going to be a waste of time thinking they’d just say “let’s monitor every few years, but you’re fine.” However, that was not the case and he referred me to a Cardiothoracic surgeon. I was able to get in to see Dr. Burkes office within 2 weeks. He was great, very calm, knowledgeable and informative. He explained that my congenital bicuspid valve had a fair amount of calcium built up and was functional and my ascending aortic aneurysm was measuring at 4.8 cm. At that point he wanted to monitor me every 6 months with scans, but when the time came I’d be ready for a Ross Procedure. I also had a consult with another surgeon who said he would perform a mechanical valve and aneurysm repair now, but spoke so highly of Dr. Burkes and his expertise and explained he would be the surgeon he would want operating on his heart.
So now I was in the Watchful Waiting stage. I felt fine not really thinking much of anything. I even ran a 1/2 marathon in June. However, in July I was at a concert at Lumen Field when I started to feel light headed and short of breath for no apparent reason. The EMT’s checked me out, but all vitals were fine. I ended up going home but still feeling not great for a couple days. I went back to the ER and had another CT scan. This time my aneurysm was measuring at 5.1 cm. In Sept I had another appointment with Dr. Burke after another echo which now showed some regurgitation in the aortic valve. This appointment he explained I was at the point where I could be a candidate for surgery or could wait. We agreed to wait another few months as I had other scans scheduled for January 2026. During those few months I definitely started to feel more symptoms. I seemed to get tired a little easier. I would get some shortness of breath at times with stairs or long walking. I cut down my running significantly and greatly reduced my pace. On weekends started to notice I need some naps after busy work weeks. I met again with Dr. Burke in January this time wanting to move forth with the Ross Procedure and aneurysm repair as I don’t want to be in this waiting phase anymore while I feel like my activity level is significantly reduced. But want to move forth while I am young enough and feel I can recover appropriately.
I now have the surgery scheduled for April 8, 2026. Now all the emotions, fears, anxiousness are hitting as this is now less then 2 months away. The unexpected is scary, but also glad a solution is around the corner. Definitely scared about the what if’s of surgery. Will I survive, what recovery will be like and what the future may hold.
More Info About Me & My Heart
More About Me
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I am from:
Bothell, WA
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My surgery date is:
April 8, 2026
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I was diagnosed with:
Aortic Regurgitation
Aortic Stenosis
Bicuspid Aortic Valve
Aortic Aneurysm
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My surgery was:
Ross Procedure
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