About Me (In My Own Words)
July 2023 became dizzy while grocery shopping coming out of the woods after a few days of biking, hiking, and sleeping in RV. Went to ER who noted an extra heartbeat, suspected an unsustained VTACH, and directed by ER doc to discontinue camping trip from Alleghany State Park and began testing through local Marion, IL VAMC where it was determined I had Aortic Regurgitation. VA further referred me to Barnes Jewish Valve Team who then performed further tests and revealed I had a Bicuspid Aortic Valve, likely from birth. Paternal grandmother had one too, and 9% of decendents are likely to get one so this is where it may of come from. Did not have any serious symptoms since that July 2023 event and was working out (treadmil walking, upper body strap pulls with TRX) until Feb 15 when symptoms started up (feeling chest pressure, discomfort, light pain), so I stopped, and now significantly limiting walking to light shopping, and no upper body workout. As of March 15, 2024 symptoms are none at rest, but if there is a stressor (caused by worry, or concern), or I walk too much, pressure, discomfort over left side of chest starts, then I will stop or reduce walking, or sit, rest, meditate. Had the surgery 5/2/24. It is the 7th week of recovery. I am walking 2 to 2.5 miles a day, which is farther than the 2 blocks I could walk before going into surgery. In addition to valve replacement and MAZE procedure, after spending a week in hospital, it was determined that a pacemaker is required, which was installed. At this point, told by doc not to start rehab, and see him in a month to re-assess. Nothing but walking, and that is fine with me. Some soreness with pacemaker location continues, but overall feeling much better than before operation. 10 days in hospital was a real journey for endurances and tested my resolve, but I made it to the other side. Update 2/14/2026: I now walk 4-5 miles a day, and sometimes jog a block, and overall feel strong coming up on 2 years since surgery. I have been on 2 cruises, one in the north Atlantic, and one in the Caribean. On that cruise, I did get a little weak 2 of the 10 days of the cruise. I slowed down, and was checked out when I got back and all is well. It may of been the heat humidity of the climate, or maybe a combination with forgetting my metropolol that day. I was daily climbing 3 flights of stairs to get my 10k steps, and still was able to complete, but slowed down for those 2 days. Other than that no issues. I will also say (likely unrelated to valve replacement) I have stopped drinking cafeine because I noticed since the operation an occasional palpitation, which has gone away with no cafeine intake.
More Info About Me & My Heart
More About Me
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I am from:
Carbondale, Illinois
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My surgery date is:
May 2, 2024
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I was diagnosed with:
Aortic Regurgitation
Bicuspid Aortic Valve
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My surgery was:
Aortic Valve Replacement
Maze Procedure
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My surgeon is:
Dr. Dr. Harold G. Roberts
